Public Affairs Manager

Based: London EC1 however this is negotiable and we would be willing to explore a regional location with frequent travel to London

Can you take a detailed understanding of political influencing and use it to end the housing emergency? If you have an understanding of English politics, from Westminster to local government across political divides, if you have led successful campaigns that have caused real change, and if you have a real desire to do more of the same, then join Shelter as a Public Affairs Manager and play a major role in making things better. 

About Shelter

A home is a fundamental human need, as essential as education or healthcare. Yet millions of people across Britain struggle on a daily basis with homelessness, bad housing conditions, soaring rents, discrimination and the threat of eviction. So, we are striving for change, with individuals, in communities, across society, and leading the way to a safe home. We need ambitious, best-in-class individuals who are passionate about our cause to join us at this exciting time. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

At Shelter we are united by our purpose to defend the right to a safe home. Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. We believe that to win that fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement for change. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, fair, equitable and transparent.

We have committed to combat racism both within and outside Shelter and welcome you on our journey to becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.

About the team

Public affairs at Shelter is an exceptionally broad and strategic function. It incorporates government and parliamentary relations and lobbying, both of which are absolutely critical to our work, plus the team also plays a significant role in developing the political strategy for our wider campaigns as part of integrated programmes and project teams. Our 2019-22 strategy sets out huge ambitions, including the effective influencing of political parties. If you’re passionate about politics, determined to bring an end to the housing emergency and keen to work in a fast-paced environment on a high-profile policy agenda, this is simply the best job out there.

About the role

There’s an onus on Shelter to persuade politicians to push for change - be that building more new social housing, improving tenant’s rights or ensuring we build back better support structures that we saw to be so inadequate against the recent pandemic. To achieve that, we need someone who’s not just connected to the political world, but driven to push for, and realise, the changes required. It’s a vital role that comes with primary responsibility for the day-to-day work of the team and a central one in developing Shelter’s political strategy. It will also involve close engagement with senior management on a regular basis and working on an integrated basis with colleagues from across the organisation. Indeed, should you join us, you’ll get to work closely with our talented media and campaigns teams, as well as our equally brilliant policy, research and marketing functions. Together you’ll pull together your range of expertise into ground-breaking campaigns that have a truly sustainable political impact.

About you

You will have extensive experience of political lobbying, and will understand both the complexity of political decision-making and how best to influence it. You will be comfortable engaging with the most senior offices of government and grass roots campaigners, and know that both matter. You will be able to leverage public pressure to negotiate insider outcomes.

You will have exceptional communication skills, and will be able to translate complex research and policy analysis into strong campaigning messages suitable for political audiences. You will be able to advise and empower colleagues across the organisation on the best political strategy to secure outcomes. You will also be able to represent the organisation effectively to a range of external stakeholders, and will have excellent influencing and negotiating skills. Good organisational and people management skills are essential as you will line manage two members of staff and have oversight of numerous complex projects and work streams.

Finally, while prior housing and homelessness experience is not a requirement, you will have a passion for Shelter’s issues. There is a huge amount we need to achieve and you will thrive on this challenge.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.

To find out more about the role and the benefits of working for Shelter please visit our website. Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.