Public Affairs Manager

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Up to £53,000

Permanent / Full Time

Stevenage with Hybrid Working

At the IET, making our world a better place starts by creating a better place for our people.

At the IET you’ll have more than just a job. Our work is exciting and challenging, connecting the people who solve the problems that matter. It means working with us has real meaning and impact, and you’ll grow – professionally and personally – in ways you never thought possible.

We’re also making significant investments in our people, including providing a modern, vibrant workplace and embracing hybrid working.

As Public Affairs Manager, you’ll play a central role in strengthening the IET’s influence across government, Parliament and key policy‑shaping bodies. You’ll lead the development and delivery of public affairs strategies that position the IET as a trusted advisor and authoritative voice on engineering, skills and technology, ensuring our expertise informs political debate and policy development in the UK and beyond.

You’ll work closely with senior leaders, volunteers, and colleagues across the IET to identify opportunities for influence, provide timely political insight, and support the delivery of Strategy 2030. From overseeing high‑profile activity such as the IET Annual Skills Survey and contributing to the National Engineering Policy Centre, to building strong relationships with politicians, advisers and civil servants, your work will help ensure the IET’s voice is heard where it matters most.

This is a highly collaborative role that combines strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery. You’ll represent the IET in key policy forums, act as a central point of contact for government engagement, and help build public affairs capability across the organisation, enabling colleagues to engage confidently and effectively in the policy landscape.

We’re looking for an experienced public affairs professional with a strong understanding of the UK political and policy environment, and a proven track record of influencing decision‑makers. You’ll bring established relationships across government, Parliament or related policy bodies, along with the credibility and judgement needed to operate confidently at senior levels.

You’ll be an excellent communicator, able to turn complex political and technical developments into clear, actionable insights for a wide range of audiences (from senior leaders and volunteers, to policymakers and partners). Strong organisational skills, political awareness, and the ability to balance strategic priorities with fast‑moving political developments will be key to your success.

If you’re proactive, collaborative and motivated by making a real‑world impact through public affairs, we think you’ll thrive in this role.

• Develop and deliver an integrated public affairs strategy that strengthens the IET’s influence and profile across UK government and Parliament
• Build and maintain strong relationships with politicians, advisers, civil servants, regulators, and partner organisations
• Lead engineering skills‑related policy development aligned to Strategy 2030 and contribute to the National Engineering Policy Centre
• Manage the development, production, and impact strategy for the IET Annual Skills Survey
• Monitor parliamentary and political developments, providing timely analysis, briefings, and insight to senior leaders, colleagues and volunteers
• Identify opportunities for the IET to inform and influence policy debates and political decision‑making
• Draft high‑quality briefings and materials for meetings with key stakeholders
• Act as a central point of contact for government and quasi‑government engagement, coordinating input from across the IET
• Advise colleagues on political announcements and support the development of appropriate organisational responses
• Represent the IET in external policy forums and cross‑sector meetings
• Support public affairs capability building by providing advice, guidance, and training to staff and volunteers
• Work with international…