You have significant experience of political lobbying at the highest levels, plus the personal gravitas to influence and persuade a variety of senior stakeholders, both internally and externally. Everything it takes, in fact, to join Shelter as Head of Public Affairs and become the driving force behind our campaigning, lobbying and policy making.

Public affairs at Shelter is an exceptionally broad and strategic function. It incorporates government and parliamentary relations and lobbying, and these are absolutely critical to our work. But the team also plays a significant role in developing the political strategy for our wider campaigns as part of integrated programmes and project teams. Our brand new three year strategy sets out huge ambitions. And, with you leading the way, our public affairs team will play a significant part in achieving them.

About the Role
This is a great opportunity to work very closely with our talented media and campaigns teams, not to mention the equally brilliant policy, research and marketing functions. Indeed, you’ll help pull together their combined expertise to produce groundbreaking campaigns with sustainable political impact. Ensuring our campaigning and communications are rooted in a robust political strategy, thus having credibility with senior decision makers, is just one of the challenges you’ll face. Leading and inspiring a team, bringing insight, imagination and tenacity to our campaigning and acting as senior counsel on political and stakeholder relationship building, influencing and risk and reputation management – all are aspects of this vital high profile role.

About you
Your impressive track record in public affairs includes developing cross-channel strategies to communicate effectively and influencing policy and practice at a national and local government level. You’re also highly skilled in integrating public affairs work with media and public-focused campaigns. Grasping complex policy ideas and translating them into strong campaigning messages suitable for political audiences comes naturally to you too. What’s more, you’re well organised, have great people and budget management skills and, while experience in housing and homelessness is not essential, you have a passion for our issues and a real desire to bring about change.