Senior Public Affairs Manager

As a key member of The FA's public affairs team, the role helps build and deliver the organisation's public affairs strategy. The postholder seeks to shape Government policy impacting The FA and works with colleagues across the organisation on positioning. They build and maintain strong working relationships with MPs, Peers, mayoral authorities and other important political stakeholders.

• Work with the Public Affairs Lead to devise and deliver an ambitious public affairs strategy for The FA, and manage the day-to-day relationship with The FA's public affairs agency, setting direction and working closely on activities.
• Lead The FA's interaction with MPs and Peers, keeping political stakeholders up-to-date with The FA's work and key announcements, and ensuring MPs are kept abreast of The FA's work in their constituencies, including Local Football Facility Plans, new grassroots facilities or pitches
• Local Girls' Football School Partnerships and girls' football programmes in local schools.
• Work with the Public Affairs Lead and colleagues across The FA on detailed public policy and football policy issues, including investment in grassroots football facilities, equal access to football in schools for girls, tackling online abuse in football
• And ensuring PE and school sport are fit for the future.
• Draft consultation responses and other position papers internally and with the agency, and engage with Government, parliamentarians and other political stakeholders to help shape policy that positively impacts the health of English football and wider society.
• Work with the Wembley Stadium communications team and corporate social responsibility team to devise and deliver The FA's public affairs strategy for the London Borough of Brent, keeping local stakeholders, councillors and others up-to-date with The FA's work and key announcements.
• Monitor political and policy developments, including parliamentary debates and the speeches, interviews and social media posts of key political figures, and provide concise, informative briefings to colleagues.
• Deliver visits for Ministers, Shadow Ministers and parliamentarians to showcase The FA's work, and deliver events for political stakeholders such as policy roundtables, receptions in Parliament, match screenings during international tournaments and trophy photo opportunities
• Collaborate with the communications team to promote key achievements.
• Lead The FA's work during party conference season, including The FA's annual MPs v Lobby Football Match.
• Carry out detailed research on specific policy issues alongside the public affairs agency and with The FA's Public Affairs Apprentice, draft briefing papers for senior colleagues, and support the apprentice to draft high-quality correspondence to Ministers, MPs and other stakeholders.
• Support the Corporate Affairs function by delivering specific strategic projects, and execute additional tasks as required to meet The FA Group's changing priorities.

• Prior experience of working in public affairs, Parliament, the civil service or for a political party is essential.
• Excellent understanding of the political landscape in this country, how Government works, and how to shape political thinking and decisions.
• Prior experience of stakeholder management and relationship building in the political sphere, with confidence, assertiveness and a strong network of contacts to bring to the role.
• Strong experience in policy analysis and policy development, with proven experience in shaping Government policy.
• Excellent written skills, with the ability to draft responses to Government and Select Committee consultations, briefing papers for senior colleagues, and correspondence with Ministers and others; ability to write high-quality, concise and informative papers.
• First-rate organisation skills and attention to detail, with responsibility for planning and executing visits and events.
• Every employee will be required to complete a DBS check; the level of check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.

• While experience in football is not essential, an interest and understanding is desirable, particularly how grassroots football can inspire positive change in society.

• Hybrid working model which offers greater flexibility; 2 days per week in the office.

• Access to event day tickets at Wembley Stadium, alongside a host of regular internal events throughout the season, to connect and learn with colleagues and look after mental health and well-being.
• Free, nutritious lunches at Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park.
• Private medical cover funded by The FA.
• A contributory pension scheme.
• An additional 'Thank You' day's leave, volunteering days, and 25 days of annual leave (based on a full-time, permanent contract).
• Great opportunities to develop and grow in the role.