UK Communications and Scottish Public Affairs Lead

Job Description

Established in 1989, the Portman Group ensure that alcohol producers do all they can to promote "the responsible use of alcohol" and social responsibility. Founded by six major alcohol companies, they brought a vision to reduce harm and demonstrate the industryscommitment to behave in the right way.As the social responsibility body and regulator for alcohol labelling, packaging and promotion in the UK, the group has over 130 code signatories from producers, retailers and membership bodies. The Portman Group acts in the interests of society, workingto bring the alcohol sector together to ensure that the majority of people in the UK who choose to drink remain moderate drinkers.The Portman Group encourages responsible drinking habits among consumers while fostering a balanced understanding of alcohol-related issues and promoting targeted interventions to support and reduce the minority of drinkers who misuse alcohol. They aim toconsistently challenge the industry to deliver higher standards of best practice and fulfil the essential self-regulatory role of ensuring the responsible marketing and promotion of alcoholic products to UK consumers under their Codes of Practice.Working across the industry, political and social landscapes, the Portman Group believes that the drinks industry has a legitimate and important role to play in tackling alcohol misuse; that enlightened corporate social responsibility is good for business;moderate consumption of alcohol is compatible with a healthy lifestyle; and effective alcohol policy needs to balance legislation, self-regulation and personal responsibility.The UK Communications and Scottish Public Affairs Lead will be responsible for ensuring that the Portman Groups UK web presence and media engagement is professional, engaging and accurate; and will build on the Groups relationships with the Scottish Government,Parliamentarians and the policy community. The role requires an exceptional storyteller to government, industry and the media, and you will work with the team and weave imaginative copy for various content. You will have to demonstrate a balanced positionfor the Group in a complex, contested environment where precision is essential. Engaging and focused on building and maintaining the Groups relationships with MSPs, the Scottish Government, the policy community and trade journalists, you will bring to lifethe value of the Portman Group as the social responsibility body for alcohol producers. Equally, you will also be able to demonstrate the value of the regulatory activities and the decisions of the Independent Complaints Panel.To be considered for the role of UK Communications and Scottish Public Affairs Lead at the Portman Group, you must be able to evidence that you are an exceptional writer who operates with a high degree of accuracy, speed and a love of the written word. Youwill be imaginative and creative and apply this to copywriting when you create precise material that people enjoy reading. Your experience should also extend to media and social media communications (with an understanding of how to appeal to the media), managing(or inputting) into digital media programmes and managing core corporate platforms. Strong interpersonal, relationship-building and verbal communication skills are required and you will have the ability to develop a personal presence and engage with journalistsand PR colleagues in the industry. You should have an interest and ability to work with members of the Portman Group to garner their views and opinions as you build your knowledge and perspective. You will have a strong interest in politics and an understandingof the workings of the Scottish Government and Parliament. This will be aided by you have a minimum of 2 years experience in a communications role within either Scottish Parliament, Public Affairs, Communications Consultancy, Think Tank, Public Body or Charity. How To Apply Please contact BTA to request an information pack, full job description and person specification.You are advised to get in touch well in advance of the closing date to give us time to consider your application and pre-interview the strongest applicants.Closing Date: Midday, Wednesday 25th AugustInitial Interview Date: Monday 6th SeptemberFinal Interview Date: Wednesday 8th SeptemberThis search is being conducted exclusively for the Portman Group by BTA (Bruce Tait Associates). Our leadership team have all worked in the voluntary sector and we use this experience to match organisations and individuals to create great appointments.

Keyskills :
Digital MediaMedia CommunicationsPublic AffairsMedia EngagementWritten Word