Join the PubAffairs Network

Established in January 2002, PubAffairs is the premier network and leading resource for the public affairs, government relations, policy and communications industry.

The PubAffairs network numbers over 4,000 members and is free to join. PubAffairs operates a general e-Newsletter, as well as a number of other specific group e-Newsletters which are also available to join by completing our registration form.

The PubAffairs e-Newsletters are used to keep members informed about upcoming PubAffairs events and networking opportunities, job vacancies, public affairs news, training courses, stakeholder events, publications, discount offers and other pieces of useful information related to the public affairs and communications industry.

Join the Network

Working with the Policy and Public Affairs team, in this role you will look to promote Nationwide’s reputation and interests with public policy audiences both domestically and at an EU level.

Who we're looking for

As a minimum requirement you will have:

  • Proven experience of working in public affairs and or public policy field;
  • A professional qualification to degree level or equivalent;
  • A good working knowledge of the external and political environment, understanding of the policymaking and legislative process and very good understanding of UK political audiences, particularly parliamentarians;
  • Excellent communication and presentational skills, both written and verbal using all modern forms of technology;
  • An understanding of Nationwide’s key strategic drivers and the ability to translate and communicate these (experience of working in financial services is desirable but not essential);
  • Strong analytical skills and knowledge to produce a persuasive business case and to understand and use appropriate measures to demonstrate results;
  • Innovative, creative, yet pragmatic;
  • The ability to communicate with more senior levels;
  • The ability to work under pressure and at speed to meet challenging deadlines while achieving results of the highest standard;
  • The ability to recognise potential risks to the Society’s brand and reputation and to devise and implement strategies that minimise the impact of each risk;
  • Sound business judgement and strong organisational awareness;
  • The ability to build strong internal and external network;
  • It would also be nice if you have experience of working in financial services.

What you'll be doing

The core purpose of this role is to develop and enhance Nationwide’s day to day relationships with public policy audiences drawn from Government, Parliament, political parties, civil service and the broader policy community.

You will be:

  • Playing a key role supporting the delivery of Nationwide’s political engagement programme;
  • Producing high quality public policy research to support the Policy and Public Affairs team and the wider business, including assisting with briefings for Senior Executive meetings with public policy audiences;
  • Supporting the development of intellectually robust policy positions on certain key issues and help communicate these effectively to external and internal audiences;
  • Meeting all deadlines with a consistently prompt response to business needs with a strong attention to detail and error-free approach;
  • Liaising effectively across the business, including within the Corporate Affairs Division, to gain alignment and consistency in approach and maximise the effectiveness of all political communications;
  • Looking to understand and interpret complex business-related information into commonly understood language, so as to ensure the Society’s position is well understood and recognised externally amongst policy audiences;
  • Supporting the Policy and Public Affairs team with team administration tasks including managing events, organising meetings, producing blog and social media content;
  • Promoting understanding of and generating support for the work of the policy and public affairs function within Nationwide.

The extras you’ll get

If you put a lot in, it’s only fair you should get a lot out. So if you help us do the right thing for our customers, we’ll help further your career at Nationwide. As well as your salary, there’s life assurance, a pension and a recognition and rewards scheme. We think it’s a great place to work, and we’re not afraid of giving you praise when you’ve done well.

Why work for us

At Nationwide we’re here for our members and we put their needs first in everything we do. And now, more than ever, two things are helping us go from strength to strength: we put our customers first, and we’re known for being open, honest and trustworthy.

We’re also the world’s largest building society, with communities at the heart of everything we do. We aim to do the right thing for our members which helps set us apart from our competitors. But we need good people to help us do it. People who understand what we believe in, and have the talent and drive to keep us successful.

Closing date

Applications for this post closed 11:59pm on Friday 8th January 2016