| PUBLIC AFFAIRS ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE | ||
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Job description | The mainstream activities in public affairs are research, monitoring, analysis and the creation and maintenance of networks to provide support, advice and information to clients or businesses. The amount of time spent on these different activities will vary according to the practitioner’s employer and their level of experience – the level of research, for example, will be highest for a junior member of staff in a consultancy, while a public affairs manager in industry will be principally involved in strategic planning and relationship maintenance. In addition, crisis management is an important aspect of the work, especially in consultancies. Graduates are likely to begin work as political research assistants, involving: - monitoring Hansard, other official reports and press releases from Government departments and agencies - collecting and analysing information relevant to your client’s business, such as press reports, statistics and economic data - background research: using Hansard and other sources to profile MPs and their interests - writing newsletters, briefings, campaign material and some press releases - in addition, junior staff are likely to have administrative responsibilities, such as arranging meetings, and may be expected to attend Select Committee hearings. Public affairs consultants provide strategic advice on political relations and campaigns to clients. They keep clients informed about political developments which might affect them and work to promote the client’s position in the most effective way to key individuals in the decision-making process with a genuine and legitimate interest in an issue. Public affairs managers working in-house usually undertake the lobbying aspects themselves but may buy in research and monitoring support from consultants. Their main activity is relationship management – establishing and maintaining two-way communication with the official bodies of importance in their field – with the aim of ensuring that they are consulted as a matter of course about any proposed changes to policy, legislation and regulation. This involves regular contact with key individuals in order to update them about the organisation’s work and its value to the economy and to society at large. These contacts may be with politicians, civil servants, or with managers in local authorities and regulatory bodies. |
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| Typical employers | Specialist consultancies,
PR groups and in-house public affairs departments for companies, trade or
professional associations, public service organisations, local government
and voluntary organisations. The number of opportunities for public affairs
consultants (research), though, is much smaller than for public affairs
consultants (lobbyist) and progress within consultancies generally depends
on a widening of responsibilities to include lobbying. |
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| Qualifications and experience |
Competition is intense at entry level, employers receive many speculative applications. This is a small profession but openings are increasing and the demand for people with experience is high. A degree is usually required for entry to junior posts but candidates are judged on their own merits and the right combination of skills and experience may well compensate. MP/MEP's research assistant posts, work at political party HQ, in student politics or voluntary sector campaigning very useful. Promotion is possible to senior lobbyist or director. There is a lot of movement between consultancy and in-house sectors. An ability to develop good working relationships with key personnel in the government process and the media is vital. |
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| Salary | Range of typical starting
salaries: £12,000 - £18,000 Salaries quoted are for starting as a researcher. Beyond entry level, salaries are highest in consultancies, lowest in voluntary/public sector in-house. |
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| Working hours and conditions | Hours quite long but regular initially, more demanding later. Meetings with opinion formers will often take up evenings. Work varies from interaction with MPs/MEPs, civil servants and advisers to more solitary desk research. |
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| When applying | - few posts advertised, although
a growing number of consultancies are offering graduate training schemes
and take students on secondment.
- be prepared to start at the bottom. There are lots of opportunities to develop a specialism and make yourself indispensable once you have your foot in the door, and promotion is fast. - send speculative applications to all possible employers, although always call to check whom it should be addressed. Research each company and make the letters as tailored as possible. Follow up the application with a phone call. These are all skills you are going to have to demonstrate on the job, so best to start now. - presentation is all. You will be advising on the presentation of a case to a specific audience, so make sure your case looks as good as possible. Typos matter. Only email an application if you are happy to leave the final printing and formatting of your CV to someone else. - be able to demonstrate an active interest in politics. Be proactive and get relevant experience. Consider unpaid internships at consultancies, political parties, in the media, think tanks, government departments. Do not write “interest in current affairs” and expect to be taken seriously. - enjoy meeting people. Make the most of any opportunity to network and get known. Most lobbyists tend to be political active outside of professional life, and are on the look out for good quality potential recruits. - have an awareness of business. The job involves understanding clients and their needs as well as understanding politics, so demonstrate both. |
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| More information/ professional bodies | APPC, www.appc.org.uk |
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| Within these4walls | these4walls Agency listings | |
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