Head of External Affairs

Job Description

Department: Corporate Affairs
Reporting to: Director of Corporate Affairs
Grade: 2
Starting Salary: £82,964 per annum + £5,577 per annum Car Allowance
Base: London
Closing date: 9th June 2024
Interview date: 26th June 2024

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Who we are:

The Port of London Authority is the statutory harbour authority for the tidal Thames and responsible for the UK’s biggest port – 95 miles of the River Thames from the Estuary to Teddington Lock in West London. We work to keep river users safe, protect and enhance the environment and promote the use of the river for trade and travel.

The Corporate Affairs team’s mission is to put the river at the heart of the story and build the PLA’s reputation as a trusted port.

Delivering communications and engagement with purpose, enabling the PLA’s business plan priorities and promoting the Thames Vision, always uncompromising on safety.

The role:

We are looking for an experienced Head of External Affairs to join the team!

Whilst working with stakeholders and partners to build the PLA’s external reputation as a trusted port, you will also be responsible for increasing engagement with the Thames Vision and its goals.

The successful candidate will use new and established networks and industry trade bodies/representative groups, whilst proactively engaging with MP’s Assembly Member and other elected representatives to further the PLA’s business plan and generate support for and progress toward the Thames Vision goals.

You will have coordination of the PLA’s role in external steering groups and memberships of representative organisations/trade bodies to ensure maximum benefit and value-for-money.

Responsibilities:

• Leveraging the PLA’s capabilities and role as a convenor. Using new and established networks and industry trade bodies/representative groups to further the PLA’s business plan priorities and generate support for/progress toward the Thames Vision goals
• Coordination of PLA’s role in external steering groups and membership of representative organisations/trade bodies to ensure maximum benefit and value-for-money
• Responsibility for the PLA’s stakeholder management framework, ensuring effective and joined-up engagement between senior leaders (including C-suite) and key external contacts
• Horizon scanning UK and London policy and stakeholder environment to identify opportunities for/threats to the PLA and recommending appropriate responses
• Advising ExCo on the appropriate response to political, policy and other developments, including briefing for Select Committee or other public appearances.
• Developing policy papers or consultation responses, briefings and other materials as needed, using PLA’s corporate narrative to ensure a consistent approach to messaging and tone of voice across a variety of channels
• A key part of the crisis communications and engagement response plan, advising on reputational management approaches
• Using the outputs of stakeholder audits and other evaluation or feedback opportunities to continuously improve the PLA’s outreach and engagement activities
• Ensuring effective use of PLA CRM system to manage external contacts and stakeholder relationships
• A member of the Director of Corporate Affairs’ senior management team, deputising for the DCA when needed

What we are looking for:

You will be educated to degree level and/or have at least ten years’ equivalent experience.

Essential

• Experience in senior-level stakeholder management in the ports/maritime industry or a comparable sector; used to working in a complex stakeholder environment, turning strategy into action
• Familiar with policy making and how to establish influence
• Existing networks in Whitehall, Westminster and City Hall; effective political antenna and acumen
• Proven ability to build and leverage networks to deliver policy change or improvements
• Experienced line manager, able to build an engaged and high-performing team
• Ability to provide strategic counsel to senior leaders
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills

Desirable

• Although maritime experience would beneficial – transportation, logistics, police, utilities would all be an advantage.
• Experience of working in a highly unionised workforce
• Line Management Experience

In return, we offer a competitive benefits package:

• 30 days annual leave + Bank Holidays
• Car Allowance
• Private Health Insurance
• Generous pension scheme
• Access to Occupational Health, Mindfulness, Counselling and Physiotherapy
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Access to MyGymDiscounts
• Salary sacrifice Car Scheme

For further information or if you would like to have an informal discussion about the position, please contact Sian Foster (Director of Corporate Affairs) via her EA at Helen.Lawrenson@pla.co.uk

The PLA are not registered with the UK Home Office and do not sponsor candidates who require a visa or work permit to work in the UK, therefore an offer of employment cannot be made unless you currently hold the rights to live and work in the UK.