Job Purpose:

Overall, the role is to support the Public and Regional Affairs team position VMO2 at the centre of the fixed infrastructure debate as the UK government pushes towards meeting its 2025 commitment of delivering 85% gigabit coverage. 

To support and influence our inputs into Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) White Paper and subsequent legislation including lobbying MP’s and other stakeholders to ensure a proportionate and fair PSB regime given the competing vested interests involved in the debate.   

Supporting the businesses plan roll out more fibre, to influence other regulatory and policy decisions on rural coverage, planning, support for vulnerable consumers and other issues of high-level strategic importance to the company such as the Telecoms Security Bill, business rates relief for fibre and the ECC amongst other things 

Influencing the future legislative environment (from data to online safety) with key political stakeholders from DCMS, HM Treasury, Cabinet Office, the UK Parliament, and other public sector audiences.  

Enhance the understanding and promote VMO2 as a key inward investor (via its shareholders) as well as protect and manage our reputation across the parliamentary and public policy environment. 

Key Accountabilities:

• To support the team as we look to ensure a legislative and policy environment that delivers a level playing field in terms of future investment needs and consumer protection. 
• To develop, manage and maintain our Parliamentary relationships including meetings, correspondence, and responses to MPs, MSPs, AM’s and MLA’s as they raise constituency issues, request briefings as well as pro-actively engaging on issues like 5G and health, connectivity issues, our net zero targets and green agenda. 
• To support the team in the drafting and preparation of CEO, CTO, Chief Corporate Communications and Affairs Officer, MD Fixed Network briefs and advice on relevant public affairs issues and political developments.  
• Work within the wider Corporate Affairs team to help embed VMO2’s sustainability work across the public sector to help in building reputation and goodwill.
• To support the team in helping to promote and advance VMO2’s UK’s Public Sector business interests as it strives to develop and sell world class connectivity services to customers across the Central and Local Government environments - to work with and support the Public Sector teams in rolling out their plans following the coronavirus pandemic.   
• Work with Think Tanks and Regulatory Bodies around the current key public policy objectives from measures to reduce the deficit, the consumer fairness agenda, the regulatory and legislative environment, and efforts to improve delivery of public services to citizens. 
• Build and develop relationships across the business and support the wider Corporate and Sustainability team to deliver on its objectives. 
• Act as the interface across the corporate affairs team to support the wider CA objectives by utilising national and local political audiences. 

The must haves:

• An in-depth understanding of the parliamentary environment, the public sector and Whitehall including working with MP’s and officials. 
• Knowledge of the agendas of the political parties.   
• Excellent communicator to all levels (written, verbal and interpersonal).  
• Excellent stakeholder management and ability to facilitate and influence stakeholders. 
• Strong attention to detail. Effective problem solving and decision-making ability.  
• Ability to deliver consistent excellent results under pressure with minimal supervision and to strict deadlines.