Main responsibilities:

• Support the delivery of the public affairs and policy elements of BSDA's corporate affairs strategy, working closely with the Director of Public Affairs.
• Undertake primary and desk-based research, and draft consultation responses, briefings and policy papers that set out evidence-based positions on behalf of members.
• Prepare briefings for management ahead of key meetings and events, and monitor political and legislative developments, flagging relevant intelligence to colleagues.
• Support engagement with policymakers and stakeholders across Westminster, Whitehall and the devolved administrations, and help maintain relationships with members' public affairs contacts.
• Support member group and committee meetings, including preparing papers, slides and briefing materials, and help coordinate the diary of governance and member meetings.
• Help organise and deliver BSDA events, including the annual conference and Parliamentary engagement.
• Help distil diverse member views into clear, agreed positions, and draft content for BSDA's website and social media.

Key skills and experience required:

• Experience in stakeholder engagement, public affairs or policy work, ideally across multi-discipline campaigns.
• Experience of researching and developing evidence-based policy positions, and of influencing decision- or policy-makers to deliver organisational objectives, in-house or on behalf of clients.
• An understanding of how the UK parliamentary and political process works, including legislation, the civil service and the main political parties, and of wider campaigns strategy.
• An understanding of soft drinks or food and drink policy and the related stakeholder environment.
• The ability to write across a range of styles, including briefings, consultation responses and articles, and to structure, substantiate and communicate compelling policy positions.
• Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience, and a flexible, team-minded approach suited to a fast-moving environment.