With the UK energy landscape radically changing and the need to tackle the climate emergency, an exciting job opportunity to work at the forefront of the renewable energy and clean technology industry has arisen at the REA!  

Based in central London and reporting to the REA’s Director of External Affairs, this role is a unique chance to influence and accelerate the decarbonisation of power, heat and transport and deliver clean technologies, at a pivotal moment in the Government’s net zero and energy security agenda.

We are looking for someone with a passion for the environment and renewables and a clear track record of influencing action.  As you will be one of the leading advocates for the Association’s aims and ambitions for its 550+ member companies, you will have confidence and experience in building relationships with UK Parliament, Ministers, MPs, Advisors and Civil Servants, as well as having a strategic mind when it comes to advocating and campaign planning.

The Role

• As Public Affairs Manager you will be key to establish and maintain a high profile for the Association so that it is an obvious “first port of call” for parliamentarians and businesses interested in renewable energy, clean technologies and Net Zero.
• Representing the Association and maintain contacts with key stakeholders for targeted, short and long term, Association influencing priorities.
• Creating, advising, and running external parliamentary events (including APPGs) and engagement (giving evidence /publications) of the Association.

Responsibilities

• Reporting to Director of External Affairs, work with the REA executive to develop and implement clear influencing objectives for the Association based on the REA Strategy.
• Develop and execute the REA’s Public Affairs activities to deliver impact for our members, including cultivating and managing close relationships with key parliamentarians and their support, identifying, secure and coordinate relevant opportunities with influencers across corporate, government and members/industry channels.
• To broaden the Association’s influence by supporting the Chief Executive and Directors in building coalitions with important stakeholders
• To provide expert advice on political engagement and parliamentary processes, support and work collaboratively with senior colleagues to ensure the Association’s influencing objectives are well targeted to gain traction with political decision makers.
• Co-ordinate the work for REA’s secretariat role of the All-Political Party Groups (APPG’s) for EVs (existing) and soon to be formed Deep Geothermal. Coordinate with the team across REA Policy and REA marketing, membership, and events, to deliver the agendas and events supporting their agreed influencing and impact goals.

More specifically:

• To support the Association’s relationships with major stakeholders, specifically No10, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), Treasury, DEFRA, MHCLG and DFT as linked with specific workstream activities.
• To lead the Association’s parliamentary engagement activity on our strategic priorities (including running the APPGs), to deliver a specific programme of activity with Ministers, MPs and peers, political parties, and researchers to deliver impact for our members.
• To combine effective proactive engagement with a strong reactive service, developing the Association’s reputation as a first port-of-call for renewable energy and clean technology for parliamentary enquiries.
• Identify and secure relevant Ministers, MP’s and senior civil servants for REA events.
• To work collaboratively with colleagues across the Association to help the organisation use its influence more effectively, particularly on political and stakeholder engagement and optimal targeting of messages.
• Provide briefings, presentations and other collateral as required to keep the REA team and its members abreast of political views on renewable energy and clean technologies.
• To participate in the recruitment of new members to the Association

Person Specification:

Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of five years’ experience of working in a political, public affairs or campaigning capacity; and educated to degree level.
• Evidence of developing and implementing public affairs strategies and campaigns, to deliver tangible influencing outcomes.
• Evidence of enhancing the reputation of organisations or sectors, and of mobilising resources from internal teams and member organisations to support.

Knowledge

• Good awareness of parliamentary and political process.
• A good understanding of energy or environment policy would be desirable.
• Experience of using Theory of Change for impact driven influencing is desirable.

Skills and Ability

• Ability to build and maintain close working relationships with senior figures within the REA and externally with key influencers, opinion formers and decision makers from across the political divide, and other key stakeholders – you’re an empathetic, confident communicator who can build rapport with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Excellent political acumen and sensitivity; an understanding of the factors that motivate and influence political parties and corporate players in the renewable energy and clean tech. sector.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically to devise public affairs strategies and influencing campaigns and oversee the delivery and achieve.
• First class written and oral communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to write across a range of styles, including briefings, articles and speeches
• Teamwork – you get stuck in, work proactively with others and are comfortable working at pace.
• Organisation – you proactively organise and prioritise a busy workload with exceptional attention to detail.

Personal Characteristics

Enthusiastic and creative, with good organisational skills, determination and stamina; a flexible, team player with personal integrity and confidence, and the ability to build relationships with key opinion-formers and influencers.

To Apply

• Please email your CV together with a covering letter to Stuart Pocock, COO, REA [email protected]. Closing date for applications 28th July 2023.
• We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.