THIS IS A SYSTEM TEST, NOT A REAL VACANCY. Policy Director Up to £60,000 benefits British Holiday & Home Parks Association Gloucester-based UK trade association for a £3bn tourism, leisure and accommodation industry seeks an exceptional candidate for this new position.The role is demanding and varied, progressing the Association’s already winning performance. The successful candidate will be a first-class communicator, with a proven track record within a policy or public affairs environment. Oral and written communication skills are both essential. The role demands a self-starting, quick-to-learn, hardworking, reliable, good team worker with an eye for detail. The role will be to represent the interests of the industry and provide policy advice to Association members. The Policy Director will be required to travel, communicating with Government and decision-makers on the regulatory issues impacting on the industry. Key to success will be detailed preparation and presentation of the industry’s case through submissions, speeches and articles, drawing on the expertise of the Association’s retained advisers and in consultation with the industry membership, democratically represented through committees. This must be coupled with the ability to communicate often technical issues to the Association’s members through a variety of media: Journal articles, www, letters, conferences and telephone. The deadline for applications is 17:00 on Monday 21 January 2013. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a diversity monitoring form; this will be kept strictly separate from the application process. Selection process Our selection process takes place in 3 stages – an initial telephone interview, a second stage assessment day which includes some exercises and tests, and a final interview. Initial telephone interviews will take place between 24 January and 6 February, at a time convenient to the candidate. Evening or Saturday interviews may be offered for those with work commitments. The assessment day is planned for 13 February, although there may be scope to flex this to 14 or 15 February, for an exceptional candidate. Final interviews will take place on 20 February. All applications will be acknowledged. Job Summary The role is to join the Policy team in ensuring the representation of industry interests to government and decision-makers European, UK, National and local level. Responsible to the Deputy Director General and with the assistance of Policy Executives, the role will include to: · provide secretariat to industry and Association committees (agenda, reports, minuting) · develop expertise in industry regulatory matters · lobby and represent members’ interests through written submissions in response to government consultations, meetings and all other forums and communications media, developing your own network of lobby contacts as experience grows. · communicate your work to members through writing articles for BH&HPA Journal, face-to-face meetings, Branch meetings and over the phone provide advice to membership (by telephone, letter and email) Candidate Profile Essential: · proven track record within a policy or public affairs environment, ideally within a membership trade organisation · strong analytical, presentation and numerical skills ensuring clearest communication through the written word · flexible approach to a role requiring travel and the ability to work irregular hours when required · good IT skills and technology aware · networking skills, ability to establish relationships with a variety of stakeholders · diplomatic and persuasive · ability to work to deadlines knowledge and affinity with SME and microbusiness reliable, self-starter, confident and comfortable working without supervision · ability to drive and full driving licence Desirable: · graduate, perhaps supported by a Masters Degree · knowledge and affinity with the holiday, residential and touring parks industry · experience of providing committee secretariat (Agenda, Minutes, Reports) About BH&HPA BH&HPA is the trade association for residential, caravan, camping and all forms of self catering parks. We provide a wide range of membership services: · representation to government at all levels · publications: Journal, Handbook, members’ website at www.bhhpa.org.uk · marketing: exhibitions, brochures, consumer website at www.ukparks.com · meetings, seminars, conference · advice · commercial services The Association was founded in 1950 and currently has an annual turnover in excess of £2 million. Job Description JOB TITLE : Policy Director REPORTING TO: Deputy Director General EMPLOYER: British Holiday & Home Parks Association MAIN FUNCTION : To work towards meeting the objectives of the Association through progressing the industry lobby to European, UK, National and local government and communicating guidance to members of the Association on policy issues. Responsibilities include: Lobby § Network, build and maintain effective partnerships between organisations related to, and those with influence on, industry matters. § Take up seats on established forums as the industry’s representative § Become expert in areas of government and regulatory policy as they relate to the industry, in order to provide advice to members and lobby on their behalf § Prepare and present the industry’s case through submissions, speeches and articles, drawing on the expertise of the Association’s advisers and the experience of industry members § Assist in enhancing the profile of the industry amongst all audiences and in liaison with sponsoring government departments Industry Communication § Organise and provide secretariat for industry committees and working parties, formulating Association policy, including minuting of such meetings § Communicate (often technical) issues to the Association’s members through a variety of media: magazine articles, www, letters, conferences and over the telephone § Draft and edit guidance documents § Assist the Editor of the Association’s principle publications (Journal, Handbook, online and hard copy, etc.) § Organise seminars and other information/lobby events from a small delegation to a large conference § Assist in the promotion and administration of BH&HPA Branch activities and membership information campaigns General § Travel nationally and internationally, to effect the requirements of the appointment § Initiate all necessary correspondence (letter, telephone, fax, e-mail) as required by the above duties § To act as secretary to the Association’s committees as required: agenda, briefing notes, memoranda, minutes § Be generally informed on industry and BH&HPA matters and upon the operation of the Board of Directors, Committees and Branches in particular § Provide back up on IT issues § Driving licence required, to visit members and events in remote and rural locations You will need to develop the role as Association business requires. The above duties are provided in guidance but as a small organisation, the Association requires all staff to be flexible in their approach and to assist where priorities dictate. The aspect of staff motivation and example in the conduct of work routine is important in the role. You will be required to carry out any other reasonable duties within your capabilities, should the needs of the Association so require. It may be necessary to change this Job Description from time to time. TERMS & CONDITIONS Starting Salary: Up to £60,000 dependent on qualifications and experience Benefits: - 10% non-contributory Group Personal Pension (after qualifying period) - Medical Insurance (after qualifying period and subject to insurer’s criteria) - Permanent Health Insurance (Salary Protection) (after qualifying period and subject to insurer’s criteria) Place of Work: Chichester House, 6 Pullman Court, Gt. Western Road, Gloucester GL1 3ND Hours of Work: Monday to Friday. 09.00 to 17.00, with one hour for lunch to be taken between 12.00 and 14.00. However, this is a senior position and may require working outside these hours to meet deadlines etc. Equally, the role will require considerable travel, often involving early morning starts, nights away and/or late returns in the evening. Holiday Entitlement: 20 days per year, rising to 25 days per year with length of service Bank Holidays 3 day closure between Christmas and New Year.