The Association for Consultancy and Engineering and the Environmental Industries Commission (“ACE Group”) memberships comprise companies providing infrastructure solutions to some of the most high-profile topics of our time such as economic growth, climate change and biodiversity net gain, housing and regional development, creating social value for communities.
Membership includes major global brands including ARUP, WSP and AECOM and also a large proportion of medium and smaller firms located across the UK. We represent the collective voice of over 400 firms.
The UK engineering design sector is a cornerstone of our economy, employing over 420,000 individuals and contributing more than £15 billion annually. The infrastructure and buildings we create generate over £570 billion in GVA each year.
As the leading business association for our sector our mission is to advocate, anticipate, and educate on behalf of our members. That means proactively engaging with governments and stakeholders about challenges and opportunities, ensuring our members of all sizes have a voice.
SUMMARY OF ROLE
As our Policy Executive, you will lead the work of your ACE and/or EIC groups. In this role, you will be responsible for key agendas, developing expertise, representing members, chairing meetings and working with the advocacy groups to develop positions for industry, influence policy direction, and produce high quality research and policy documents. You will personally represent members and build relationships with stakeholders including infrastructure and building clients, Government Departments and Parliamentarians.
RESPONSIBILITIES
General:
Working to and in consultation with the Policy Director:
- Responsible for policy intelligence, research, and advocacy work for identified area/s of infrastructure, buildings and environment policy work, in coordination with the specific ACE and or EIC Groups;
- Act as secretary for relevant ACE/EIC Advocacy Groups, developing and implementing policy and advocacy proposals relevant to the specific work areas, organising meetings and securing speakers;
- Analyse and monitor relevant legislation, policies, measures, projects, and studies, relevant to the designated policy area/s and produce policy briefings and analytical reports in consultation with the relevant ACE and EIC Groups;
- Draft consultation responses and define positions for the industry, in collaboration with members, on areas relevant to your Advocacy Groups;
- Influence the development of new and existing legislation, as well as general policy direction, at the political level where it impacts members.
- Monitor and influence the work of the UK Government, Parliament, and other institutions at political level (decision making bodies etc);
- Attend, speak at and sometimes chair external events representing the interests of ACE and EIC members to stakeholders such as Government departments, clients and UK political bodies where decisions made impact ACE members;
- Typically, 2-3 days a week in person in London plus travel to regional meetings, sometimes more;
- Offer advice and information to members on how to prepare for and implement legislation related to industry affairs, including horizon scanning, as well as how to respond to Government announcements.
Other tasks:
- Liaise with ACE/EIC members and facilitate their active engagement in the policy and advocacy work;
- Support the voice and participation of ACE/EIC members in all aspects of our work;
- Contribute to ACE/EIC external communication, by writing articles for the website, newsletters etc;
- Develop and foster effective relationships and work collaboratively with colleagues across ACE and EIC;
- Maintain and develop strong relationships with members and other external stakeholders/networks;
- Maintain the highest standards of drafting, timeliness and accuracy in your own work – proactive forward planning and prioritisation – meeting deadlines;
- Flexible team player, able to support the Director of Policy and team colleagues on other related issues, as required.
Home-based with frequent (2-3 days a week) London travel plus regional meetings, based within easy access to London.