Public Affairs Manager

Spencer Recruitment is partnering with an established Dublin communications consultancy to recruit a Senior Account Manager specialising in Public Affairs.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced public affairs professional to join a senior-led agency advising leading businesses and organisations on political, policy, regulatory and reputational matters.

The successful candidate will manage important client relationships, develop evidence-led public affairs strategies and deliver campaigns that engage political, government, regulatory and industry stakeholders.

Key responsibilities Client and account management

• Manage a portfolio of public affairs clients, acting as a trusted day-to-day adviser.
• Build strong relationships with senior client contacts and understand their commercial, policy and reputational priorities.
• Develop account plans, manage budgets and ensure work is delivered on time and to a consistently high standard.
• Identify emerging client needs and opportunities to provide additional strategic support.
• Prepare regular client updates, reports and presentations.

Public affairs strategy

• Develop and implement public affairs, government relations and stakeholder-engagement strategies.
• Monitor political, legislative, policy and regulatory developments relevant to clients.
• Analyse complex policy issues and translate them into clear advice and recommended actions.
• Undertake stakeholder mapping and identify appropriate engagement opportunities.
• Advise clients on engagement with government departments, political representatives, civil servants, regulators, local authorities and industry organisations.
• Support clients in building credible and constructive relationships with decision-makers.

Research and content development

• Produce high-quality briefing documents, policy papers, consultation responses and stakeholder materials.
• Draft political and regulatory updates, key messages and executive briefing notes.
• Conduct research to support client positions and campaign strategies.
• Prepare senior executives for meetings with political, policy and regulatory stakeholders.
• Ensure all advice and written materials are accurate, persuasive and grounded in evidence.

Integrated communications

• Work with corporate communications, media relations and digital colleagues to deliver integrated campaigns.
• Help clients communicate complex policy positions to wider business, media and public audiences.
• Contribute to reputation-management, issues-management and corporate communications programmes.
• Support the development of messaging for sensitive or high-profile matters.

Team and business development

• Guide and support junior colleagues across research, monitoring and campaign delivery.
• Allocate work effectively and maintain high standards across account teams.
• Contribute to proposals, tenders, credentials documents and new-business pitches.
• Support the continued growth and development of the agency's public affairs offering.
• Share knowledge of political and policy developments across the wider consultancy.

Experience and capabilities

Candidates should have:

• Strong experience in public affairs, government relations, policy, political communications or corporate affairs.
• Experience gained within a communications agency, public affairs consultancy, representative body, political environment, regulated organisation or relevant in-house team.
• A strong understanding of Irish political institutions, policymaking and regulatory processes.
• Experience managing clients or senior internal stakeholders.
• The ability to analyse complex policy issues and produce clear strategic advice.
• Excellent writing, research, presentation and verbal communication skills.
• Strong stakeholder-management and relationship-building capabilities.
• The judgement and discretion required to advise clients on sensitive issues.
• The ability to manage several client accounts, deadlines and competing priorities.
• A collaborative approach and experience supporting or developing junior colleagues.

Experience integrating public affairs with corporate communications, reputation management or media relations would be particularly relevant.

What's on offer

• The opportunity to join an established, senior-led communications consultancy.
• Exposure to high-profile public affairs and corporate communications briefs.
• Direct involvement in political, regulatory and reputational strategy.
• The opportunity to work with experienced communications and public affairs advisers.
• Professional development and clear scope to progress within the agency.
• A competitive salary and benefits package.