Role outline and purpose

The Senior Policy & Public Affairs Manager will be accountable for overseeing public affairs activities, policy development and supporting influencing activity to advance the goals of the Supportive Communities programme.  The role will plan and lead public affairs activities, policy development and support influencing strategy and activities, providing in-depth expertise across the programme with a specific focus on our emerging community design priorities and our work with a range of stakeholders, local/regional decision-makers and national policy-makers in the communities space.

This role is part of Trussell’s Supportive Communities programme, the goal of which is to enable local communities to become places where people at risk of needing to use a food bank are supported and are using their agency to bring about meaningful changes that prevent anybody from needing emergency food.  This role is focused on the successful delivery of the overall programme outcomes, contributing to the fulfilment of our long term vision of a UK without the need for food banks.

Role responsibilities

·       Lead public affairs activities linked to the Community Design portfolio within the Supportive Communities programme, including developing and delivering an effective public affairs strategy reaching key decision-makers including parliamentarians, mayors and local authority leaders.

·       Work collaboratively with key internal and external stakeholders from the sector and among policymakers to shape and deliver the programme’s policy strategy.

·       Lead policy development to achieve the goals of the Supportive Communities programme.

·       Establish and maintain momentum in policy development across the programme, ensuring the creation of credible proposals and building a strong case for policymakers to implement asks.

• Support with wider strategic development as part of Trussell’s policy and influencing strategy, including working with colleagues to align policy development and asks within the programme across the UK, nations and regions.

·       Provide advice and line management, including regular 1:1s and assessment against objectives, and identify development needs.

Person Specification

Technical skills and minimum knowledge:

·       Significant experience of developing and delivering effective public affairs strategies and interventions with evidence of securing local or national policy-change

·       Significant track record of successfully developing policy solutions and influencing politicians and/or key decision-makers to achieve policy change

·       Strong communication skills (written and oral) with impact and for a range of audiences

·       Experience of providing strategic input to support senior leadership

·       Experience of line managing, including dealing with performance issues and supporting team development

·       Self-sufficient use of IT, including proficiency in Work, Excel, PowerPoint, and experience in project management processes and software

Behaviours and competencies:

·       Works collaboratively, managing challenges in a constructive manner

·       Balances competing priorities and work to tight deadlines

·       Demonstrates a dedication to the values of Trussell

·       Demonstrates empathy for people from disadvantaged, marginalised or socially-excluded backgrounds

·       Role models inclusive behaviour, values and leadership