Government Relations Manager

Job description

Job Description
We'd all like amazing work to do, and real work-life balance. That's waiting for you at Sainsbury's. This is where you'll enjoy a broad range of projects, no matter what your level, because our Corporate Affairs team is non-hierarchical and truly plugged in to the rest of the business. Whether it's internal, external or government relations, you'll have the chance to collaborate with everyone from food waste to health, or general merchandising to Nectar, in order to support some amazing campaigns. You'll help build trust around Sainsbury's with customers, senior stakeholders, media and more. And if non-linear progression is what you're after, you'll find opportunities are all around.

The Government Relations team works collaboratively with colleagues across internal and external communications to support the business' strategic plans and to advise senior management on key political, policy and regulatory issues. The team is also vital in highlighting the important positive contribution that Sainsbury's makes to communities across the UK, our brand purpose to provide Good food for all of us and our ambition to be Net Zero by 2035.

The Government Relations Manager will support the Head of Government Relations and three Senior Government Relations Managers to build and develop Sainsbury's relationships with a broad range of external stakeholders including government (ministers, officials and advisers), parliamentarians, trade associations, the devolved administrations, NGOs and third-party organisations.

To be successful in this role you'll have strong, proven experience in Government Relations, including acting as an ambassador for a high-profile organisation. You will be able to quickly understand complex policy issues, have excellent written and verbal communications skills, be able to juggle a busy agenda and build strong external and internal relationships.

More about the role

Stakeholder Engagement

Lead correspondence with MPs' offices on constituency and policy issues, engaging with internal stakeholders to inform our responses.

Liaise with retail teams to execute meetings and site visits with local MPs in our stores.

Engage with government officials and liaise on a regular basis with our trade bodies.

Support on the organisation and delivery of events to enhance our political engagement.

Political Monitoring & Policy Development

Coordinate monitoring of relevant announcements and developments from Government, in Parliament and across the devolved nations.

Work with internal experts to understand the impact of policy on our business and devise corresponding proactive and reactive responses.

Help the business respond to policy consultations and preparing briefings for senior colleagues and internal governance groups.

Team Management

You will be responsible for maintaining the systems, processes and administration of the Government Relations Team, with support from our agency.

This will also include ensuring that the team is delivering against its priorities and responding to internal and external requests. This will include the Government Relations Team inbox.

More about you

Ideally you have previous experience of having been an ambassador for a major corporation or another high-profile organisation, acting as a representative of the company and liaising with political stakeholders at external meetings and events.

A strong interest in government policy and experience formulating and delivering events, campaigns, and communications.

Knowledge of the retail sector and the key issues affecting our business (although this is not essential).

Creativity and a proven track record of bringing to life corporate engagement initiatives.

Excellent organisational skills are essential to deliver against the team's priorities and Government Relations plan.

Strong networking skills and a great network across politics and industry.

A desire to always focus on the external and thus the ability to bring great insights into the business.

#LI-AS1

We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer, so you'll be welcomed whoever you are and wherever you work. Around here, there's always the chance to try something new - whether that's as part of an evolving team or somewhere else across the business - and we take development seriously and promise to support you. We also recognise and celebrate colleagues when they go the extra mile and, where possible, offer flexible working. When you join our team, we'll also offer you an amazing range of benefits. Here are some of them:

Starting off with colleague discount, you'll be able to get 10% off at Sainsbury's, Argos, TU and Habitat after 4 weeks. This increases to 15% off at Sainsbury's every Friday and Saturday and 15% off at Argos every pay day. We've also got you covered for your future with our pensions scheme and life cover. You'll also be able to share in our success as you may be eligible for a performance-related bonus of up to 10% of salary, depending on how we perform.

Your wellbeing is important to us too. You'll receive an annual holiday allowance, and you can buy additional holiday. We also offer other benefits that will help your money go further such as season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, health cash plans, pay advance (where you can access some of your pay before pay day) as well access to a great range of discounts from hundreds of other retailers. And if you ever need it there is also an employee assistance programme.

Moments that matter are as important to us as they are to you which is why we give up to 26 weeks' pay for maternity or adoption leave and up to 4 weeks' pay for paternity leave.

Please see www.sainsburys.jobs for a range of our benefits (note, length of service and eligibility criteria may apply).