Director of Policy and Advocacy - London Area, United Kingdom - Cameron Pink Recruitment

Description

Cameron Pink has been retained to represent a leading Pensions and Lifetime Saving Trade Association in their pursuit of a new Director of Policy and Advocacy .

ABOUT

The association represent pension schemes that together provide a retirement income to more than 30 million savers in the UK and invest more than £1.3 trillion in the UK and abroad. Members also include asset managers, consultants, law firms, fintech's, and others who play an influential role in people's financial futures.

They are committed to doing everything they can to improve the retirement incomes of savers in the UK. That means making sure they save adequately through their working lives, investing their money responsibly, ensuring the schemes they belong to can meet the highest standards, improving regulation so it works in the interests of members (and their members), and helping people to understand their options when they come to retire. They do this for, with and through their members.

The Director of Policy and Advocacy is one of the most critical positions within the organisation, and proactively leads all aspects of work on public policy, research, and advocacy, contributing to the strategic and operational leadership of the association. The postholder will be an executive and board director of the association, leading a team of 20 people.

BENEFITS:

This opportunity will pay a salary of circa £150,000 per annum, plus a bonus of up to 20% based on performance. Other benefits include private medical cover, annual health check, life assurance, pension of 20% (15% employer/5% employee), a health cash plan and 30 days annual leave.

Based near Monument Station, a current hybrid working policy is in place with the expectation staff attend the office 20% of the time. Given the nature of this role it's envisaged the post holder will spend around 50% of time in central London, either at the associations office or at those of key stakeholders such as government departments, parliament, and the pensions industry.

This position is one of the most visible in the industry and offers tremendous scope to shape change and make a significant difference. It is an excellent career move for an ambitious individual.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and develop the policy and advocacy function and will contribute to the strategic development of association as a whole.
• Responsible for the development of policy on all pension and retirement income issues, incentives to save and access to pension savings. This will involve the production of high-quality, evidence-based policy and research reports and responses which influence the outcome of public policy in the interests of the associations members and savers.
• Set and deliver a clear programme of work that meets the associations strategic objectives and is executed through effective forward planning and the production of high-quality policy and research activity.
• Identify areas outside of pensions, in particular, lifetime savings, which are relevant to retirement income in order to produce research and develop policy positions to build the associations profile in relevant areas.
• Responsible for developing and delivering a compelling, best in class programme of research which meets the needs of the Policy and Advocacy team and that of other teams across association.
• Ensure that research findings are effectively disseminated and that the association extract maximum value from our investment in research.
• Work with colleagues to ensure the association provide practical support to members on relevant issues.
• Working very closely with the Policy Board Chair, manage and develop the policy and research work programme with the relevant governance bodies, and take time to understand the views of a broader range of its members, ensuring that the association understands the views of the pension industry, draw on members' expertise and provide a strong, cohesive voice.
• Work effectively with members so that their interests are at the heart of everything the association does, and that policy and research work reflects members' interests.
• Overall executive responsibility for the Pension Quality Mark and Retirement Living Standards activities.
• Act as one of the key spokespeople for the association.
• Represent the association at meetings and events, including meetings with senior officials and Ministers, Parliamentarians, and industry leaders.
• Provide advice on relevant issues to the association's governance bodies and Chief Executive, as required.
• Build strong links with government and regulators in the UK, with trade bodies and with members so that the association is well-networked and able to influence the right people at the right time.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE

• A strong track record of success in influencing the outcome of public policy.
• An exceptional communicator: you will be used to turning complex into concise for a range of audiences, building understanding and securing buy-in for your ideas.
• Substantial experience of policy development.
• Proven experience of operating at a senior level in a complex organisation, for example a membership body or a large private sector organisation.
• Experience of public speaking, for example at industry events.
• Proven ability to lead and develop a team.
• Strong political acumen with experience of working with and lobbying Government and regulators.
• Experience of working in pensions policy or financial services and a sound knowledge of matters related to pensions and retirement income.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE / KNOWLEDGE

• Experience of dealing with the media (print and broadcast).

KEY SKILLS AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Persuasiveness and creative flair – ability to make the case and to present strong, well-reasoned, arguments.
• Ability to work autonomously and plan effectively.
• A naturally collaborative style.
• Outstanding leadership skills: ability to lead, motivate, inspire, and get the best out of people.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent.
• Ability to develop trust across a range of audiences.

Deadline for applications 27th June. All applicants will be asked to submit a covering letter. Candidate pack available upon request.