The organisation:    

Ellwood Atfield is delighted to have partnered with The Vegetarian Society to recruit for a new Public Affairs Lead role.

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Founded in 1847, The Vegetarian Society works to inspire people to adopt vegetarian and vegan diets for the benefit of animals, people, and the planet. They are a mission-driven organisation, working with communities, businesses, and policymakers to drive both behaviour and systems change. They campaign for dietary changes, license Vegetarian Society Approved trademarks for vegetarian and vegan products, run a cookery school and lottery, and organise National Vegetarian Week in the UK. With the impacts of our food system increasingly recognised as a leading cause of the global climate and biodiversity crisis, they are going back to their roots as a radical campaigning organisation.

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The opportunity:

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Reporting to the Chief Executive, this Public Affairs Lead will lead the Vegetarian Society’s political engagement work and act as the Vegetarian Society’s representative within Westminster, Whitehall and the UK nation governments. Additionally, you will take a lead role on our political engagement within local government across the UK including Elected Mayors. Through the development and implementation of a new political engagement strategy, you will secure political influence through your network and relationships with key politicians, civil servants and special advisors, while monitoring and deploying political intelligence and insight in support of their policy goals.

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Main responsibilities:

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• Lead on the development and implementation of a political engagement strategy in support of their work programme focused on Westminster, government within the devolved UK nations and where appropriate local government elected representatives.
• Form effective working relationships with key ministerial departments in Whitehall, including civil servants and advisors, together with cross-party politicians in Westminster and their staff teams to enable delivery of their policy goals.
• Use your relationships, to secure parliamentary scrutiny, including questions, debates and any other opportunities in support of their policy goals.
• Host events within Westminster and, where applicable, the UK nation governments and local government bringing key political stakeholders together on issues relevant to their mission and policy goals.
• Attend a wide range of events within Westminster where they have relevance for their work, including parliamentary committees, third-party hosted events and All-Party Parliamentary Groups. Attend similar meetings in the other UK national parliaments or local government where relevant and necessary.
• Develop briefing papers for parliamentarians, other UK politicians, media and third-party stakeholders in support of our policy goals to assist in gaining wide political support and as required give oral or written evidence to committees or consultations.
• Use political monitoring tools to ensure you are up to date with the latest political initiatives where they intersect with our policy goals and to provide a forward look into parliamentary events where we can exert influence.
• Build relationships and where relevant alliances with Public Affairs professionals incorporate, public sector and charitable organisations and use these relationships to secure support for our policy goals.
• Build close internal working relationships with a range of staff as required, including our Head of Policy and Director of Marketing and Communications, developing cross-organisational working groups and activity to ensure our parliamentary engagement effectively supports and takes forward work on our policy goals, research activity and campaigns.
• Overall responsibility for parliamentary events, activity budget, and decision-making for all parliamentary and public affairs activity.

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Person specification:

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• Previous experience in a similar role, with a proven track record of designing and delivering public affairs strategies which secure targeted outcomes
• A demonstrable interest in, and motivation for, the cause of The Vegetarian Society
• Knowledge of vegetarian and vegan issues, including sustainable food systems, and the surrounding political landscape
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to build strong relationships with key stakeholders and internal colleagues

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Benefits:

• Salary: £50,000
• Home-based; must be based in Greater London
• 35 hour working week, with flexible working
• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Cashback healthcare scheme
• Sustainable travel policy
• Animal compassionate leave policy
• Ethical Pension Fund

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How to apply:

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To apply, please submit the form below and include a copy of your CV. 

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Closing date: 15^th January 2025.

Ellwood Atfield is the leading headhunters for corporate affairs, communications, policy, and advocacy. An employee-owned boutique search firm, we help you hire the most senior leaders and everyone who reports to them. We promise to connect talented people, smoothly and efficiently.

Our purpose is to create important and enduring relationships. We are anequal opportunities employer and promote diversity across our profession toensure every individual has the opportunity to perform at their best. If youhave not done so already, please let us know if you require any support so wecan make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.

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