SVP (Director) - Public Affairs

Who is Weber Shandwick?  
 
At The Weber Shandwick Collective, you are welcomed, valued and empowered to grow and we believe that opportunity grows in a collective. 

We create cultural value and help brands navigate the ever-changing age of earned: an age where consumers actively say no to advertising; an age where everyone is an influencer that can make or break your brand; an age where content can be turned into commercial opportunity. Our talented team builds brands by finding connection points in the real world. We energise the right mix of talent, using the right platforms and latest technology to choreograph stories that make a real and meaningful impact for some of the world’s leading brands and businesses. 

We earn affection, attention, affinity and purchase by delivering value to people around the world, with deep specialisms across food & drink, travel & tourism, consumer tech, consumer health, automotive, sports sponsorship, entertainment & lifestyle and energy. We are known for: 

• Develop data driven insights and strategies to drive measurable impact   
• Creating impactful campaigns that tap into culture   
• Creating channel and platform agnostic campaigns that grow organically  
• Delivering integrated campaigns that are earned-first but deliver for paid and owned   

What'S Happening?

Weber Shandwick is hiring for a talented Senior Vice President (Director equivalent) to join our Public Affairs team in London. You’ll be part of a well-established team, where you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate across our outstanding Corporate Enterprise team, as well as with Weber Shandwick’s UK and international network; while being guided and supported by some of the PR industry’s leading corporate communications professionals. 

The Corporate Enterprise practice is made up of a smart, dedicated and fun team with expertise spanning B2B, Corporate, Public Affairs, Crisis/Issues, Social Impact/ESG and Technology. 

The ideal candidate will be able to draw upon experiences bringing knowledge and insight into a range of sectors and industries, combined with excellent client servicing and public affairs skills. 

You’ll also need a strong understanding of how politics and parliament work, how digital fits into wider integrated communications programmes, as well as brilliant technical writing skills, time management and a keen eye for detail when it comes to managing project progress. 

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following key attributes: 
 
CLIENT AND WORK 

• Own responsibilities for leadership of multiple client public affairs programmes and budgets  
• Serve as primary or day-to-day client contact on public affairs accounts 
• Serve as trusted advisor, counsellor and business partner to key client contacts across a variety of sectors including tech, insurance and retail.  
• Successfully grow existing client budgets and pursues opportunities to engage other offices or Geos, specialty expertise, and IPG agencies to provide fully integrated marketing programs/experience for clients 

Leadership And Talent Development

• Effective deputy head of the public affairs team, and part of the public affairs specific and corporate enterprise senior leadership teams  
• Mentor and empower the public affairs team to do their best work, impress clients and grow remits 
• Actively seek out own learning and advances skills (leadership and professional expertise) to better develop and coach others and build own cultural competency and ability to lead diverse teams 
• Spearhead consultancy projects focused on team culture, staff education and skill building 
• Model consultancy values by actively sponsoring/mentoring emerging diverse leaders and diverse staff across all levels 
• Manage team/direct reports and coach diverse set of employees within and outside of team to develop and advance our next generation of leaders 
• Set tone for inclusive hiring on team, partnering with Talent Acquisition to establish and support inclusive hiring practices 
• Is responsible for billability of self and teams 

Growth And Business Development

• Identify opportunities for agency growth and innovation and lead key new business pitches/proposal processes and organic client growth efforts 
• Identify new business opportunities and contribute to the team’s pipeline  
• Execute at least one idea per year that is turned into an agency case study and entered in industry awards 
• Demonstrate understanding and competency in facilitating client needs across agency offerings (digital, strategic planning, analytics, etc.); can articulate and activate against our full toolkit of expertise 
• Advance industry/sector leadership and drives agency reputation through industry thought leadership and relationships 

Business Acumen

• Successfully manage capacity, utilisation, resource management data, financial planning and proactively avoid revenue deficits and or overservice, collaborating with project management and finance on scope updates, implications 
• Maintain proactive communication with Finance partners and provide as much notice as possible regarding changes in client budgets and/or staffing issues/changes; Enact solutions to make up any deficits in order to meet agency financial commitments 
• Consistently and effectively communicate and support information regarding staffing, expenses, budgets or other initiatives 
• Partner with Finance, HR, and office leadership to identify hiring needs/recommendations 
• Develop knowledge of office P&L statements 

Minimum Criteria:

To be considered for this role, you must have at least six years of public affairs agency experience. 
 
Ideal Experience Required: 

• Ideally you will possess many of the above skills and attributes 
• Experienced public affairs focused account lead at a consultancy  
• With a passion for politics and public policy, you know how to make a strong case that will win the argument and have a track record of developing and delivering effective campaigns 
• Unafraid to ask questions and to challenge clients’ and colleagues’ perspectives when necessary 
• Highly organised with exceptional attention to detail 
• Demonstrable experience in politics and communications. Your experience combines stakeholder engagement and policy insight 
• An excellent political network with exceptional knowledge and understanding of how government and parliament operate.  
• Able to digest complex information and understand how it relates to the political agenda 
• A prolific consumer of political and business news. You’re on top of current affairs, allowing you to help clients anticipate issues and opportunities 
• A proven track record in managing people and projects successfully  
• Fluency in digital/social media platforms, with an appetite to learn more 

 
Join us and help make an impact.  
 
Together, we'll set the bar, cheer each other on and multiply your potential. 

Core Benefits:

• Private medical insurance
• Group life assurance
• Group income protection
• Personal pension plan
• Employee Assistance Programme

Flexible Benefits:

• Buy or sell holiday
• Additional life assurance cover
• Critical illness insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance
• Dental insurance
• Travel insurance
• Health screening
• Gym discounts
• Cycle to work scheme
• Health cash plan
• Flexible working with our 3:2 hybrid work model
• Equivalent of $250 USD for new joiners on 6 month + contract to support home working setup
• 25 days’ annual leave (in addition to public holidays) plus 2 volunteering days, birthday day off work and discretionary festive closure
• Flexible public holidays
• Sweets and snacks in the office
• Exclusive shopping discounts and perks
• Annual eyecare voucher
• Season ticket loan
• Referral bonus scheme
• Long service bonus
• Enhanced family leave
• Inclusive and invisible health policies

Note from the Talent Team:

We appreciate the time take to apply for the role and your recent interest in Weber Shandwick. We will review all applications within five working days and be in touch with those who have been shortlisted to the next stage. Unfortunately, due to volume we are not able to get back to everyone individually so if you have not heard back from us unfortunately you have not been successful on this occasion and wish you all the best in your search.

At IPG DXTRA we are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

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