Associate Director, Public Affairs - Award Winning Communications Agency London

Explorers.
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Never-settlers.
We want you. Associate Director, Public Affairs - Award Winning Communications Agency

London

Shape Policy. Build Reputation. Drive Change.

We're an award-winning global agency. PRWeek's Global Agency of the Year, a "Standout Agency" on Ad Age's A-List, and the only PR agency awarded EY's National Equality Standard (twice!). We're passionate about making a difference, both for our clients and for our people.

We're looking for an Associate Director with a deep understanding of the UK political and regulatory landscape, proven leadership skills, and a track record in delivering high-impact public affairs and integrated communications strategies.

About the Team

You'll join our dynamic Corporate Affairs practice, a collaborative, award-winning team that delivers campaigns shaping policy and reputation at the heart of the UK's most pressing debates. We combine political insight, stakeholder engagement, and creative storytelling to help clients navigate complexity and make a real impact.

The Role

You'll act as a senior advisor, leading major client accounts and guiding teams to deliver excellence. You'll shape public affairs strategies, build coalitions, engage stakeholders, and support clients on regulatory, parliamentary, and reputational challenges. You'll also play a key role in agency operations, talent development, and new business growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Advise clients on policy, regulation, and political risk-building trusted relationships and guiding strategy.
• Oversee programme delivery, ensuring work is impactful, compliant, and aligned with client goals.
• Set the standard for excellence across all client work, from strategy to execution.

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Develop and lead best-in-class public affairs and advocacy strategies.
• Support clients with parliamentary engagement, regulatory submissions, and consultation responses.
• Advise on issues, crisis management, stakeholder mapping, and reputation campaigns.
• Champion analytics to inform campaign decisions and measure success.
• Ensure alignment between public affairs, media, digital, and broader communications objectives.

Agency Operations

• Manage resources, utilization, and capacity planning.
• Scope work, set budgets, and forecast revenue for clients.
• Collaborate with project management, finance, and client teams to implement effective ways of working.

Talent Development

• Line-manage and mentor junior and mid-level colleagues.
• Lead account teams with a focus on development, inclusion, and professional growth.
• Oversee project management and resource allocation across accounts.

Business Development & Thought Leadership

• Lead new business strategy, from ideation and proposals to pitches.
• Identify and convert opportunities for account growth.
• Represent our agency at industry events and contribute to thought leadership and marketing.

About You

• An experienced public affairs consultant-either an established Associate Director or a Senior Account Director ready for promotion.
• Skilled in tracking political and policy developments and translating them into insightful client counsel.
• Possess an integrated communications mindset-combining digital, media, coalition building, and traditional engagement.
• A proven business developer-adept at marketing activity, lead generation, and winning pitches.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

We are proud to create an inclusive and equitable environment for everyone. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age.

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you're ready to help shape policy, build reputation, and drive change, apply now with your CV and a brief cover note explaining why you're the ideal candidate for this role.

A few things we think you'll love:

• A friendly and inclusive team with a global reach
• Opportunities to work across multi-market campaigns and collaborate across our Omnicom network
• A clear pathway for growth, development and leadership
• Global mobility and secondment opportunities
• Flexible hybrid working with a culture thattrulyvalues work-life balance
• Amazing Culture Club perks - from rooftop yoga to in-house massages
• Comprehensive wellbeing and benefits package (including BUPA, generous parental leave, gym membership, fertility & menopause support)
• Generous holidays, including birthday leave, Christmas closure and sabbaticals

We will always treat your data in the strictest confidence. For further information our Data & Privacy policy is located on ourwebsite.

Apologies in advance but due to the high volume of applications we receive we aren't always able to respond to every application individually.

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