Description Job Title: External Affairs Officer Contract Type: Permanent Salary: £34,857.34 per annum (£38,363.57 per annum is achieved after 12 months successful performance in role) Working Hours: 35 hours per week Working Pattern: Monday - Friday Location: Hybrid, Liverpool If you share our values and are excited about making a significant impact at Riverside, please ensure you attach a current CV and covering letter. At Riverside we recruit to potential not just on skills and experience, so we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the essential criteria on the job description. The difference you will make as an External Affairs Officer We are seeking to recruit an external affairs officer to join our external affairs team at one of the leading not-for-profit social housing and regeneration organisations, owning or managing over 76,000 homes across the country. Riverside is also a leading provider of supported housing services, particularly for those affected by homelessness, and our track record of transforming lives and revitalising neighbourhoods dates back over 90 years. We are committed to building more affordable homes over the next decade. You’ll be joining a high-performing and politically engaged external affairs team that sits at the centre of the organisation in the chief executive’s department. The role will play a crucial part of the organisation’s influencing and public affairs strategy, by tackling some of the biggest issues facing housing associations at a vital and exciting time for the sector with a new Government in place. You will be instrumental in driving forward our public affairs work by building strong relationships with key stakeholders, creating compelling thought-leadership pieces and enhancing our reputation, placing Riverside as one of the strongest and most respected voices in the sector. You’ll have the freedom and backing of your team to make this role your own, from influencing activities to media relations and everything in between, you’ll have the opportunity to deepen your knowledge of the social housing and homelessness sectors and help shape Government policy to transform lives. About you You will deliver the organisation’s public affairs strategy and optimise influencing opportunities which enhance the reputation of Riverside with its customers and stakeholders. Support the execution of a public affairs strategy with the support of the rest of the external affairs team, which will help the Group deliver its corporate objectives which are focused on transforming the lives of hundreds of thousands of people across the country. Maintain up to date knowledge of policy developments in the housing and care sectors at a national level in England and Scotland, support our influencing work with national Government, regional authorities and local authorities. Work with colleagues and the external affairs team to establish clear ‘positions’ on key policy areas, so that Riverside can establish messages for external and internal audiences, responding to political events such as general elections/local elections and devising appropriate public affairs responses. Why Riverside? At Riverside, we’re a housing association with a difference – enhancing the everyday for all our customers. For 90 years, we’ve been revitalising neighbourhoods and supporting communities by providing the homes they need to live full, fulfilling and rewarding lives. We have a portfolio of over 75,000 affordable residential and retirement homes across the UK. Our work ranges from homelessness services to social care, employment support to retirement living, and we need the best people on board to help us. Working with us, you’ll enjoy: Competitive pay & generous pension 28 days holidays plus bank holidays Flexible working options available Investment in your learning, personal development and technology A wide range of benefits Diversity and Inclusion at Riverside: We are inclusive. At Riverside, we value diversity in all its forms. We foster a workplace where all individuals are respected, empowered, and heard. Our commitment to inclusivity drives our success and enriches the lives of our customers and colleagues. Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment. Role Profile Work closely with colleagues and customers across the business to understand real-life experiences to tell compelling stories and create outstanding political and media campaigns which influence stakeholders. Identify and maintain a database of key influencers (MPs, Ministers, prominent Councillors, Metro Mayors, Assembly Members, Think Tanks and other influential policy makers) and cultivate contacts and networks, building and managing relationships with parliamentarians and other politicians. Develop and manage the delivery of high-quality briefings to senior leaders across the Group, utilising our political monitoring software. Support the Group to deliver key media, public affairs and research projects as standalone projects as well through our membership organisations such as the G15, Homes for the North, Greater Manchester Housing Providers and Liverpool City Region Housing Associations. Maintain links with other public affairs specialists in the housing sector in particular the National Housing Federation, G15, Homes for the North, Homes for Cathy and other stakeholders, identifying opportunities for collaborative working. Develop succinct and relevant briefing material to support campaigning and influencing activities, including written Parliamentary briefings, blogs etc. Undertake lobbying activities and engagement with key political contacts, officials and stakeholder as required and support senior colleagues to do so with appropriate briefing material. This will include attending some meetings, conferences, and events as Riverside’s sole representative. Support the delivery of stakeholder engagement events, such as organising roundtables, coordinating policy briefings, stakeholder visits, party conferences, tracking engagement and sharing insight to support the public affairs strategy. Manage proactive and reactive social media channels and campaigns that enable us to meet our influencing strategy goals. Working in-house and with our PR agency to deliver media relations campaigns that develop Riverside’s brand and reflect our values. Identifying opportunities for proactive media pieces or political engagement. Work with the external affairs team, wider communications & marketing team and senior directors to provide responses to media enquiries ensuring journalists receive timely and accurate information. Work with colleagues in the Marketing and Communications team, to ensure Riverside optimises external and internal communication channels to push out key messages. Pitch positive news stories and secure coverage that communicate key Riverside objectives & messages in local and trade media. Undertake other duties or special projects as defined by the Head of External Affairs. Person specification Knowledge, Skills and Experience Essential A positive, energetic, can-do attitude that demonstrates Riverside’s values. Experience in any or a combination of the following fields: public affairs, external affairs, parliamentary researcher, media relations or journalism. Experience working with or within UK government or parliament and an excellent understanding of the parliamentary process. Experience working with social media platforms. Comfortable and confident working with senior leaders. Experience of drafting briefings, consultation responses and drafting corporate responses in relation to government announcements. Exceptional written English, suitable for a range of external audiences. Strong political awareness and a good understanding of government. Excellent interpersonal, communication and influencing skills. Excellent writing and editing skills with a high attention to detail. Experience of working within a team environment, focusing on partnership and support to achieve project aims and objectives. Demonstrable experience of creating clear, concise, accessible written materials. Outcome-focused approach. Desirable Experience of working in a housing-related or not-for-profit environment would be an advantage. Experience of working within Parliament, a political party or demonstrate strong knowledge of party-politics. Experience of working within a public affairs or public relations agency. Experience of planning and delivering integrated public affairs or other engagement campaigns. Relevant political contacts or demonstrable experience of building and maintaining a network of contacts.