We are looking for an exceptional candidate to join our public affairs team that has the right attitude, determination, and passion for communications.

Our team of more than 35 full-time consultants combine cross-party political activity with real-world commercial awareness to devise and implement strategies for communicating with key stakeholders, political decision-makers, special interest groups, and the media - at local, regional and national levels.

Bellenden has an impressive track record and in 2011 was identified by PR Week as one of the “Ones to Watch”, the only public affairs agency in this category. In 2012 we were the only agency shortlisted by Public Affairs News for three awards – Consultancy of the Year, Best Agency to Work for, and Campaign of the Year (Devolved Administrations) – and in 2013 we were again shortlisted for the Consultancy of the Year award.

About the role

As an account executive you will start to learn the business of public affairs. You will tend to focus on individual steps or stages within a strategic communications plan - for example the development of messages, how to identify and map stakeholders, the delivery of an event or series of meetings as part of an engagement programme, and monitoring to identify emerging issues.

The role involves:

• Develop a detailed understanding of your clients and their operating environments
• Learn to assess the relevance and motivations of different stakeholders
• Develop your communications skills - with an eye to content and tone
• Help to deliver strategic engagement programmes, which may include the organisation of high profile events
• Undertake political and issue-led research
• With guidance, write position papers and policy documents
• Start to identify and pursue new business opportunities.

The successful candidate will:

• Be graduate level or equivalent
• Have a knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, business and politics
• Have experience working in the political/policy/communications fields
• Demonstrate good communication and presentation skills
• Have excellent research and organisational skills
• Possess a professional eye for detail
• Be a friendly and enthusiastic team player
• Have the ability to think clearly, rise to challenges and solve problems
• Be IT competent.