Director of Public Affairs
Why Henham?
We are a strategic consultancy working across policy, public affairs, reputation and economics.
We combine rigorous research, strategic insights, unrivalled connections and decades of experience to focus on what matters: delivering outcomes for our clients.
With our broad range of government, industry and political backgrounds, we have an exceptional track record of supporting public sector, trade body, charity and private sector clients.
Since the business was founded in 2020 we have been driven by an unwavering commitment to our clients and a desire to unlock compelling opportunities for those we work with. Our approach has yielded excellent client results and led to exceptional client feedback, but we want to keep challenging ourselves to be better. We have an exciting vision for Henham and ambitious growth plans for the future.
The team
Our hard-working team of policy, political and public affairs experts bring a diverse set of backgrounds and skills to deliver for our clients across a range of policy, advocacy and communication objectives.
About the job
At Henham Strategy we bring wide-reaching expertise and strong networks across Westminster and beyond. With specialists in policy-making, public affairs, reputation and economic strategy, we connect people and places to the heart of government.
In support of our ambitious growth plans, we are now looking to hire a Head of Public Affairs at Henham Strategy. This role will report directly to the Managing Director and be responsible for building and managing an industry-leading Public Affairs offering, developing and driving new business and helping current and future clients navigate their national and local political landscapes.
This role provides an ambitious and supremely talented individual the opportunity to own and develop this part of Henham’s business, playing a leading role in the company’s overall future commercial success. You will be expected to develop a top class team with an outstanding culture, to redefine and promote Henham’s public affairs services in the context of a new Labour government and to explore new opportunities and services, including across the nations and regions.
You will be a proven and talented manager and mentor, proactively supporting Associate Directors and Consultants with major client accounts and key projects.
You will take responsibility for further developing ‘the Henham way’ in order to provide an industry leading client service, ensuring Henham team members consistently deliver to the highest standards.
You will have overall responsibility for delivering the best possible service to our existing client base but also for developing our Public Affairs offering and for generating new business. You will also be responsible for training and helping the Public Affairs team to develop the skills they require to offer best-in-class client services and to excel in business development.
You will have responsibility for Public Affairs but will be able to collaborate with other parts of the business e.g. our wider policy and research work.
Key Responsibilities Include
- Guiding account teams to ensure they’re providing client satisfaction, high-impact work and high-quality deliverables.
- Providing senior counsel to a number of Henham clients across our varied, cross-sector client base – looking to bring strategic insights and best in class public affair advice.
- Maintaining in-depth knowledge of the UK and wider political, policy and economic landscape, including through your own relationships with relevant stakeholders across politics, industry, the media and beyond.
- Inspiring, mentoring and motivating junior and mid-level team members to build a highly engaged, inclusive, and productive team, including through providing feedback, guidance and learning to colleagues.
- As a key member of the SLT, contributing to overall Henham business priorities including in terms of external promotion of the company and internal operations.
- Developing new business through networking and lead generation, responding to external briefs, identifying opportunities for organic growth, and driving the development of successful proposals and pitch responses from the PA Team.
- Being a trusted voice for the organisation, engaging in events, roundtables and other industry forums.
About You
• Significant proven experience in UK public affairs within a fast-paced agency setting.
• A self-starter with proven experience of leading on new business development, pitching and identifying opportunities for organic growth.
• A real entrepreneurial passion for advancing the business organically and through new business initiatives.
• Solid demonstrable experience of leading and managing teams and helping develop team members’ skills and expertise
• A record of overseeing the development and delivery of high-quality public affairs programmes, engagement and counsel.
• A strategic thinker but someone who is unafraid of rolling their sleeves up and getting stuck in when needed
• Able to point to a strong business, political and wider network which you and your colleagues can benefit from,
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work and thrive autonomously
• Outstanding communication, written and project management skills.
• Someone with extremely high standards, an eye for detail and a passion for driving excellence in client service.
• A strong collaborator
If this sounds like you and you can work from our Waterloo office at least three days a week, we'd love to hear from you!
Perks Include:
- A clear reward structure, including bonuses, based on performance.
- Days off for voluntary and/or public service; generous parental leave package; paid sabbaticals available following continuous service; ability to ‘work from away’, and 25 days of annual leave per year (plus Bank Holidays).
- Opt-in enhanced pension contributions.
- A cycle-to-work scheme and access to a salary sacrifice bike hire subscription as well as interest-free loans for travel season tickets.
- Access to a health and wellbeing package, which includes a GP service, mental health support, exercise classes, and high street discounts.
- An expansive learning and development offer, including a personalised training budget.
We are dedicated to building an inclusive and equitable working environment for everyone. All applicants to positions at Henham Strategy will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or age. Do please let us know if you need any adjustments made during the interview process.
We will always treat your data in the strictest confidence. For further information our Data & Privacy policy is located on our website
Please note that the closing date for applications is Friday 1st November 2024.
