HEAD OF PUBLIC POLICY
LOCATION: Holborn, London
SALARY: £45,650 pa plus generous benefits
Sport England’s primary outcome is to get more people doing more sport and to deliver a lasting sporting legacy from the 2012 Games.
We are looking for an experienced public affairs practitioner to manage and enhance our reputation by defining, planning and delivering
a high quality public affairs strategy and to provide expert political advice and insight to the organisation to inform and shape decisionmaking.
You will have excellent political nous and an understanding of the broader media landscape. You will have previous experience of
leading an organisation’s engagement with senior figures within both Whitehall and Westminster as well as of developing and
implementing high-level campaigns to influence policy. You will have excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to
persuade and influence senior political decision makers and a proven ability to make difficult judgements affecting high-level decisions
under severe pressure. You will have proven ability to make strategic judgements under pressure and use your strong analytical skills to
simplify complex material and develop a compelling argument.
For further information about the role and the benefits of working for Sport England please visit www.sportegland.org. The closing date
for applications is Wednesday 24th July 2013.
Sport England actively promotes diversity in employment and sport and welcomes applications from all parts of the community.
Department: Human Resources & Development
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Job Description: Head of Public Policy
Level:
4
Team/Directorate:
Business Partnerships
Salary Range:
£45,650
Contractual Status:
Permanent
Responsible to:
Executive Director, Business
Partnerships
Budget Post Holder Directly
Accountable For:
Up to £250,000
Direct Reports:
Senior Public Affairs Manager,
Public Affairs Manager
Single item sign off:
£10,000
Work Pattern:
Fulltime
and
Information Governance Manager
Location:
Victoria House
Job Purpose:
To manage and enhance the reputation of Sport England by defining, planning and delivering a high quality public
affairs strategy that helps meet the strategic business objectives.
To provide expert political advice and insight to the organisation to inform and shape decision-making.
Key Tasks (approx. 8 tasks)
Strategic
Approx. %
20
Define, develop and implement a coordinated public policy and stakeholder engagement strategy which embodies the delivery of Sport
England’s corporate objectives, demonstrates the efficiency and effectiveness of the organisation and protects and enhances Sport
England’s reputation and interests with major decision makers across Government.
To work with key internal stakeholders to create and implement tactical and strategic policy strategies and campaigns for the benefit of
their own corporate objectives and those of community sport.
Advise the Executive on approaches to Government policies and engagement in order to protect the organisation’s licence to operate
Monitor how Sport England’s public policy activity is being received in the political arena and adapt the strategic approach and actions
in response to developments.
External engagement
Develop and implement engagement and influencing programmes that promote Sport England’s strategic outcomes with political
stakeholders at both a national and local level.
Lead, develop and implement a public policy engagement strategy to strengthen and build SE’s reputation with new and existing
politicians, and demonstrate the organisation’s progress and vision.
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25
Create opportunities and prepare the Chair and CEO to engage with Government and political decision makers across all levels
Create and manage opportunities to inform and influence key politicians, special advisors and senior civil servants to change and
develop policy, regulation and legislation for the benefit of Sport England and community sport.
Build Sport England’s reputation and relevance with key opinion formers beyond the sports sector.
Government liaison
25
Facilitate and deliver as required liaison with Government officials on all high-level issues affecting the work of Sport England, and our
partners.
Develop evidence based campaigns/ projects to influence senior civil servants and Minsters to change and develop Government policy
and legislation for the benefit of community sport.
Provide expert strategic advice to Government officials on handling issues, and take quick decisions under pressure in crises.
Representation
10
Represent Sport England at external parliamentary forums, e.g, APPGs and parliamentary receptions.
Ensure Sport England is represented on high-level speaker platforms, and prepare and equip the Executive accordingly.
Define approaches for the CEO and Executive with regards to Select Committee hearings, meetings with senior Ministers, political
receptions.
Internal engagement
15
Stay abreast of all developments in the political sphere and identify changes that could affect our business.
Provide advice to the Executive and Board on policy and legislative issues which could affect the reputation of Sport England and/or our
ability to deliver.
Information Governance
Oversee the management of the FOI function at Sport England, and shape politically sensitive FOI responses to mitigate against
reputational damage.
Ensure information management projects are implemented to the agreed project plan and timescales
Line Managers ONLY:
Use Sport England’s Performance Management framework to effectively manage direct reports and build a high performing team.
Motivate and develop the Public Policy team to maximise the achievement of individuals and delivery of objectives.
Effectively manage any third-party relationships within budgets and agreed timescales to achieve maximum benefit for the business
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5
The above is provided for guidance and is not an exhaustive list of all accountabilities that the role holder may have over time.
Job Requirements and Person Specification
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Education /
Qualifications
Experience

Educated to degree level or equivalent vocational qualification


Minimum of five years in-house public affairs and government relations experience

Previous experience of leading an organisation’s engagement with senior figures
within both Whitehall and Westminster

Previous experience of developing and implementing high-level campaigns to
change policy

Previous experience in a similar role providing an interface with Parliament and
government bodies

Previous experience of managing several direct reports, with competing workflows

Understanding of the UK political system, procedures and processes, and a wider
understanding of the legislative environment in England and the EU

Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to persuade and
influence senior political decision makers

Proven ability to successfully build productive relationships with senior political
figures within Whitehall and Westminster

Proven people management skills, able to manage workflow across a team to tight
deadlines

Ability to manage and prioritise competing workflows in an unpredictable environment

Proven ability to make difficult judgements affecting high-level decisions under
severe pressure.

Proven ability to analyse complex data, simplify the material into a form intelligible to
a non-specialist audience and construct a compelling argument.

Proven ability to understand political sensitivities and challenge and influence the
Executive when making decisions.

Intermediate MS Office skills
Abilities / Skills /
Knowledge
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 Understanding to the wider
communications piece,
including media relations