Overview
Regulatory Affairs We have a dedicated Regulatory Affairs team, who offer a valuable and expert advisory service, as we're the leading authority, helping our clients stay compliant with food regulations in more than 80 countries.
What You’ll Be Doing
Strategic Policy Leadership
* Lead the development and implementation of the organisation’s government affairs strategy, ensuring alignment with business priorities and industry needs.
* Monitor, assess and communicate emerging legislation, policy reforms and regulatory developments across UK, EU, and global markets.
* Advise senior leadership on risks, opportunities, and the strategic implications of policy trends.
External Stakeholder & Government Engagement
* Build and maintain influential relationships with government departments, regulatory authorities, parliamentarians, policy advisers, and public sector stakeholders.
* Represent the organisation externally, positioning it as a trusted expert voice in food, drink, and consumer goods policy.
* Participate in consultations, policy reviews, advisory groups, and public hearings.
Government Affairs Operations
* Oversee political monitoring processes and ensure timely, accurate intelligence flows into the organisation.
* Prepare regular reports, risk analyses, and strategic updates for senior leadership teams.
* Support training and capability-building across the business on policy engagement and government interface.
Advocacy & Thought Leadership
* Develop evidence-based advocacy materials, including position papers, briefings, consultation responses, and speeches.
* Lead proactive advocacy campaigns to influence policies affecting members and clients.
* Provide thought leadership to strengthen the organisation’s profile in national and international policy forums.
Cross-Organisational Collaboration
* Work closely with regulatory, scientific, technical, commercial and communications colleagues to ensure consistent external messaging and policy alignment.
* Support multidisciplinary teams in understanding new legislative frameworks and their impact on services, client needs, and business strategy.
* Ensure effective internal communication of political and regulatory developments.
Commercial & Strategic Impact
* Ensure policy engagement strategies support commercial objectives, client needs, and the broader organisational mission.
* Identify opportunities for strategic partnerships, collaborative projects and funding initiatives with government and public sector bodies.
* Contribute to thought leadership events, conferences, and public platforms to enhance the organisation’s visibility and influence.
What We’re Looking For
* Degree qualified in public policy, law, political science, economics, international relations, or a relevant scientific/regulatory discipline. A postgraduate qualification (e.g., Masters) in a relevant field is an advantage.
* Extensive experience (5+ years) working in government affairs, public policy, regulatory strategy, or a related senior-level external affairs role, ideally within the food, drink, science, or consumer goods sectors.
* Credibility when engaging with senior government officials, regulators, policy advisers, and industry bodies, with a strong understanding of UK and EU policy-making processes.
* Strong capability to interpret, analyse and communicate complex legislation, regulatory developments, and political trends.
* Experience developing policy positions, consultation responses, strategic briefings, and evidence-based advocacy materials.
* Skilled at developing and executing advocacy strategies that influence government policy and regulatory frameworks.
* Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to build trusted relationships across government, industry, members/clients, and internal teams.
* Proven ability to lead multi-stakeholder projects, influence outcomes, and navigate political and regulatory environments.
* Effective project and programme management experience, including coordination of cross-functional teams.
* Experienced and confident in public speaking, presenting at industry events, government briefings, policy roundtables, and conferences.
* Strong time management, able to juggle long-term strategic work with urgent policy developments.
* IT literate, comfortable using business systems, policy-monitoring tools, and digital communication platforms.
* High attention to detail with the ability to proofread, sense-check and ensure accuracy in all outputs.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distil complex regulatory and policy issues for senior business audiences.
* Eligibility to work in the UK, and a full UK/EU driving licence for travel as required.
What We Offer
* Reward platform with employee discounts and rewards
* 25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays
* Buy and sell holiday scheme
* A generous work save pension scheme, with employee contributions matched by the company up to 10%
* Culture focus around work/life balance (early finish Fridays)
* Subsidised onsite restaurant
#J-18808-Ljbffr