Head of Political Engagement

Job summary

The Head of Political Engagement leads the British Council’s public affairs strategy, including its relationship with the UK Parliament and Parliamentarians, political stakeholders from the UK’s four nations, and across the wider political space. The postholder also plays a leading internal advice and consultancy role on the UK political landscape within the organisation.

Job description

The role is responsible for leading the British Council’s engagement with the UK Parliament and political stakeholders by developing and delivering with a small team its Parliamentary and Public Affairs Strategy, establishing and building relationships with senior Parliamentarians, supporting British Council senior leaders with their political engagements, and ensuring accurate and timely handling of all Parliamentary Questions and MP correspondence, as well as effective budget oversight. It oversees the organisation’s work with Select Committees and All‑Party Parliamentary Groups, ensuring strong cross‑party relationships, full compliance with accountability requirements, high‑quality briefings for staff appearing before Committees, effective management of the British Council APPG secretariat, and proactive sharing of insight and evidence. The role provides specialist internal advice on parliamentary and political engagement, supporting both UK and overseas teams in planning and delivering stakeholder engagement across the four UK nations and relevant soft power sectors. Additionally, it deputises for the Head of External Relations when required, line manages and supports a team of two, and contributes to the wider Policy and External Relations team priorities.

Person specification

• Excellent understanding of UK politics and knowledge or direct experience of the UK Parliament and its work.
• Experience in designing and delivering public/parliamentary affairs strategies.
• Experience of building, managing and maintaining effective working relationships with key stakeholders.
• Experience in leading a team and line management.
• Excellent written communication skills and the ability to produce high quality briefings and submissions.
• Experience of working collaboratively and successfully with multiple teams across multiple locations.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £55,699, British Council contributes £16,136 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 32 days annual leave, in addition to public holidays

• 3 days volunteering leave

• Career average defined benefit pension scheme

• An unrivalled opportunity for you to get to use all the experience you’ve built up working in and/or leading global organisations to support us in building trust across the world.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Please apply via this link: https://careers.britishcouncil.org/careers/job/563705889788452

Other modes of applications will not be reviewed.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : askhr
• Email : AskHR@britishcouncil.org

Recruitment team

• Email : AskHR@britishcouncil.org