About the Organization

The organization is a rapidly growing, well-funded non-profit led by a high-profile social entrepreneur with a strong track record of building organizations and initiatives focused on social change.

Its model involves working confidentially with experienced executives and industry experts across influential sectors to understand how established norms, incentives, and structures can prevent better social and environmental outcomes.

The organization uses these insights to engage the people and institutions best positioned to drive change. Its work is already active across several influential industries and has generated national media attention and engagement from senior figures across business, investment, government, and civil society.

The Role

The Head of Public Affairs will play a central role in expanding the organization's influence as it scales.

This is not a conventional public affairs position. The role focuses on understanding who needs to hear what, when, and in what form, and determining the most effective path to influence. Depending on the situation, that may involve government, Parliament, regulators, investors, journalists, civil society, or private conversations with influential stakeholders.

Working closely with the founder, the Head of Public Affairs will help shape the organization's public affairs approach and take ownership of a visible external remit.

Key Responsibilities

Public Affairs & Influence

• Identify the individuals and institutions best positioned to act on industry-level social and environmental challenges.
• Determine the most effective channels and approaches for engaging decision-makers.
• Translate credible industry insight into focused opportunities for influence.
• Navigate political and institutional environments with strong judgment around power, timing, and context.
• Build relationships with senior stakeholders across government, business, investment, civil society, and other relevant institutions.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop credibility and trusted relationships with senior figures across influential sectors.
• Engage with government, Parliament, regulators, investors, journalists, and civil society where appropriate.
• Use discretion and maturity when handling sensitive information and relationships.
• Identify situations where private engagement may be more effective than public campaigning.

Strategy & Organizational Development

• Work directly with the founder to shape the organization's public affairs strategy.
• Take ownership of a significant external-facing function as the organization grows.
• Help build the team's public affairs capability and approach.
• Move between strategic thinking and practical delivery as priorities evolve.

Qualifications

The organization is deliberately open-minded about professional background. Relevant experience may include:

• Special adviser roles.
• Parliamentary or government experience.
• Public affairs.
• Policy.
• Campaigning.
• Journalism.
• Strategic communications.

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Strong understanding of how political and institutional decisions are made.
• Excellent judgment around people, power, timing, and context.
• Ability to build credibility and trusted relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Intellectual curiosity and ability to understand complex issues quickly.
• Ability to move comfortably between strategic thinking and practical execution.
• Discretion, maturity, and comfort working around sensitive matters.
• Genuine interest in applying political, policy, institutional, or influence expertise in a non-traditional environment.

Compensation

£60,000 FTE, pro rata.

Working Arrangement

• UK-based.
• Largely remote.
• Regular time in London.
• 2 days per week initially, with potential scope to increase.

Application Process

The search is being led by Philanthrope on behalf of the client.

Candidates do not need to be actively looking for a new role. Interested individuals are encouraged to explore the opportunity through a confidential, exploratory conversation.

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