Head of External & Political Affairs

Head of External & Political Affairs

Think we can be doing politics better? Want to help shape the future of Britain and make sure it is more co-operative?

Head of External & Political Affairs, The Co-operative Party

The Co-operative Party is looking to recruit talented and dynamic people to join our small staff team in a variety of new roles, including the key leadership position of Head of External & Political Affairs. Reports to: General Secretary

Manages: Political & Parliamentary Officer, Digital & Communications Officer, Policy Officer and the proposed post of Candidate Development Officer

Salary: £40,000 - £55,000 depending on experience

Benefits: Excellent pension and 25 days annual leave, in addition to Bank Holidays

Location: London

Website: www.party.coop

The Co-operative Party

The Co-operative Party is the political wing of the co-operative movement. We work to promote co-operatives and all forms of mutual organisation. Established in 1917, the Co-operative Party signed its first electoral agreement with the Labour Party in 1927. That means we stand candidates jointly with the Labour Party at all levels of government. There are currently 32 Labour and Co-operative MPs in the House of Commons, 17 Members of the House of Lords, 5 Members of the Scottish Parliament, 9 Members of the Welsh Assembly and hundreds of councillors around the country. We have nearly 9000 members, 37 party councils and over 100 branches running campaigns and meetings across the country.

The purpose

To lead and inspire a team to make a step change happen in how the Co-operative Party is perceived and the impact we have in terms of co-operative policies, vision and goals and in turn change the way politics is done in Britain.

The role

We are seeking a skilled manager for the new leadership role of Head of External & Political Affairs.

You will lead and manage three members of staff to build a highly motivated and effective team also. You will also devise a three year strategy and plan to deliver our political goals and policy objectives. To do this we need a clear narrative and a powerful brand for the Co-operative Party and a high-impact engagement and communications plan. Your plan will include: campaign development and prioritisation, digital, public affairs activities, building the alliances and coalitions needed to deliver our objectives and goals. You will also oversee a 4th member of the team whose role includes candidate training and selection.

You will be delivering:

·  A coherent and comprehensive external and political affairs strategy developed with your team – using all their skills and the resources available to deliver our objectives

·  An innovative and integrated communications strategy – including brand, narrative, message, audience and using of the full range of internal and external channels and media

·  A new approach to our campaigning through leading the selection, prioritisation and coordinate team members to own and deliver an annual cycle of campaigns and advocacy as well as more reactive campaigning, working with local parties to ensure take up, buy-in and awareness

You will oversee and manage your team to:

·  Develop an excellent public policy offer, including ensuring engagement from our members, the co-operative and labour movements, and other stakeholders

·  The adoption of co-operative policy by the Labour Party both in the manifesto process as well as directly with policy teams, parliamentarians and advisers

·  Build advocacy coalitions required to support our policy goals and objectives

·  Deliver the legislative affairs activities to deliver our policy and goals agendas. Including supporting the Parliamentary Groups, directly with MPs, MSPs and Assembly Members

·  The range of our communications outputs

·  Coordinate and support individual team members to manage specific campaigns

·  Candidate search and training, including managing the National Parliamentary Panel and on-going development needs and performance of candidates

As a member of the Senior Management Team your role will also be a key part of budgeting and resource planning for both the Party as a whole with particular responsibilities for your team. You will also have a central role in managing the breadth and depth of the external relationships the Party needs to maintain.

What does success look like?

·  Happy, engaged, well co-ordinated team

·  The co-operative movement is proud of us, even when they aren’t voting with us

·  Our targeted local and sector audiences and stakeholders have a clear sense of the role and impact of the party

·  We have shaped Labour’s narrative, manifestos and policy offer going into the 2015 campaign

Key relationships

As part of the Senior Management Team your key relationships will be with the General Secretary, the Deputy General Secretary, and your own External & Political Team. However, this is an outward facing role, you and your team’s external relationships will be fundamental.

These include:

·  Labour Party counterparts

·  Political, specialist and local media – excellent connections and working relationships

·  Counterparts in Co-operative Societies including the Co-operative Group – liaison with for example communications, campaign, policy, corporate affairs, and public affairs teams

·  Co-operatives UK, Co-operative College, as well as other co-operative movement organisations - liaison and coordination with them on policy, campaigning, advocacy and lobbying work etc.

·  Other campaigning, advocacy and public affairs organisations

Essential skills and experience

·  Experience of building and managing diverse highly professional teams, empowering and supporting staff to deliver

·  Experience of working in/around British politics

·  Thorough understanding of the UK’s political media (press, broadcast, lobbying and parliamentary environment)

·  Excellent relationship management skills

·  Ability to rapidly turn around high quality copy for a wide range of audiences

·  Designing and managing budgets

·  Understanding of and commitment to co-operative values and principles

Desirable

·  Senior roles in strategic communications within a political environment

·  Public affairs experience from an agency, larger charity, NGO or NDPB an advantage

·  Professional experience of working in policy, campaigns or advocacy

·  Knowledge of the co-operative movement or sector

·  Experience of candidate development

To apply

Please send your CV and a covering letter explaining why you would be great for the role to . The deadline for applications is 5th July 2013.