Purpose of the Post:
- To support the Director of Policy in all delegated areas of strategic planning, policy development and political engagement to deliver SMMT influential expertise and political impact across all public policy areas affecting the UK automotive industry.
- To lead the development of policy and political engagement in emerging automotive issues and SMMT business priorities (e.g. connectivity – digital, productivity – Industry 4.0, taxation – financial services)
- To support the planning and delivery of an impactful SMMT political communication and engagement programme at UK and EU level
- To project lead on research, evidence and commissioned studies and reports (internal/external) to drive SMMT thought leadership and develop the evidence base underpinning SMMT policy positions
- To represent Director of Policy and SMMT at internal and external meetings as required
Qualifications/Skills/Attributes required:
- Government affairs professional with graduate (ideally post-graduate) degree in UK or EU politics, international relations, economics or other relevant disciplines
- Proven professional experience in UK and EU public affairs, policy development and issue management, gained in a corporate, political, trade association, consultancy environment or government department
- Excellent knowledge of political processes (UK/EU), a high awareness of the domestic and international political context, and a firm grasp of key public policy issues affecting the automotive industry
- Strong analytical, organisational, presentational and written skills (incl. word processing package)
- Excellent communicator with proven ability to write influential documents, command authority in committees and political discussions, and communicate effectively to diverse audiences
- Ability to learn quickly and think strategically across changing priorities and expanding subject fields
- Highly motivated team player with a hands-on attitude, ability to lead and develop creative and evidence-based approaches to policy issues, industry positions and their communication
- Proven experience in planning and project management. Ability to multi-task, respond flexibly to needs of business and SMMT members, and self-organise work effectively on different projects and issues
Main duties include:
Strategic planning
- To support and advise Director of Policy in all aspects of political strategy, positioning and engagement
- To support Director of Policy in writing, reviewing and managing strategy documents and presentations, devise templates and project plans to implement strategy
Policy development
- To develop influential expertise and SMMT policy positions across all relevant automotive issues, working with colleagues in their subject areas, with specific responsibility for
- connected and autonomous vehicles (digital/data),
- productivity issues (manufacturing/Industry 4.0), and
- taxation and financial services (motoring taxes, Auto ABS)
- To establish and run SMMT member working groups in these new emerging areas (e.g. Auto ABS working group), coordinating their work with relevant colleagues and sections of SMMT membership
- To ensure SMMT policy development in new emerging areas is coordinated and/or aligned with European automotive industry positions and adjacent sectors in the UK by liaising with UK key stakeholder bodies (CBI, EEF, TechUK) and EU automotive industry trade bodies (ACEA, CLEPA)
- To support the work of the SMMT Policy-Coordination Committee and other relevant SMMT sections and committees with briefing, papers and presentations
- As part of the senior policy team, to support or lead on any issue of relevance across all public policy areas affecting the UK automotive industry as required
Political engagement & stakeholders
- To deliver political engagement plans and lobbying in key emerging policy areas (connected, productivity, tax/financial services)To develop for SMMT strategic relationships and engagement opportunities with key political stakeholders in these emerging areas (e.g. HM Treasury, Cabinet Office, DCMS)
- To support the SMMT political engagement programme across all issues and activities as required
- As part of the senior policy team, to support delivery of innovative and effective approaches in SMMT political communication or campaigning, responsible for strategic advice, benchmarking and new approaches
- To represent Director of Policy and SMMT at internal and external meetings as required
Research, evidence base and reports
- To develop a solid research and evidence base to support SMMT policy development and representation, coordinating across teams and liaising with external experts and audiences
- To project manage any SMMT commissioned studies, surveys or reports (internal/external) to drive SMMT thought leadership and develop the evidence base underpinning SMMT policy positions
Salary and benefits package:
The package includes private medical insurance, company pension scheme, flexi time, 25 days annual leave, childcare vouchers, interest free season ticket loan (after 6 months).
Deadline for Applications:
20 November 2015
Method of Application:
Prospective candidates should e-mail jobsweb@smmt.co.uk with a CV and covering letter quoting your salary expectations.
Early applications are encouraged as interviews will take place and the position offered before this date if a suitable candidate is found.
