Job Description

Are you skilled at building relationships, influencing and making sure the right voices are heard in the right places? Do you want to play a key role in representing a diverse and dynamic industry at the heart of conversations that matter? The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is looking for a proactive and experienced Public Affairs Manager to lead our strategic engagement with politicians, policymakers and key stakeholders - advocating for environmental horticulture.

Why join us?

By joining the HTA, you'll be part of a purpose-driven team supporting a sector that is essential to the UK's economy, environment, and wellbeing. This role gives you the opportunity to:

Make a meaningful impact as part of a membership organisation representing an industry that plays a vital role in sustainability, green spaces, mental health, and the economy.

Be part of a green and growing industry -- horticulture is evolving rapidly, creating exciting new opportunities for innovation, influence, and professional development.

Shape your career with us -- this is a high-profile role where you'll work directly with senior stakeholders, with support to grow your experience, network, and visibility.

Be London based plus hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance.

Collaborate with a passionate team that values openness, teamwork, and the power of building trusted relationships.

Grow with an organisation that's growing too -- as we expand our reach and influence, you'll have the chance to evolve with us and take on new challenges.

About the HTA

The HTA has 1,350 members, including garden retailers, growers, landscapers, and suppliers to the garden industry. The HTA campaigns for its members within the horticulture industry and has an excellent reputation. We provide our members with the opportunity to learn, innovate, and network with others in the industry.

We have been running the National Garden Gift scheme since 1962. These garden gift cards can be bought and redeemed at HTA Garden centre members sites throughout the UK and can also be purchased online and in some supermarket gift card malls. It is the biggest garden gift card scheme in the country - locking in over 30 million of consumer spend to horticulture and our members' businesses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the HTA campaigned to ensure garden centres were classified as essential retail, which has increased the profile of the environmental horticultural industry.

Our culture

Our culture is built on our values of being Member Focused, Collaborative & Inclusive, Trusted, and Innovative. We put our members at the heart of everything we do, ensuring their needs and aspirations guide our decisions and actions. We foster a collaborative and inclusive environment where every team member's voice is valued, and diverse perspectives drive creativity and success. Trust is central to our relationships, both internally and externally, and we are committed to acting with integrity and transparency in all that we do. We embrace innovation, continuously seeking new ways to improve and push boundaries, ensuring that we stay ahead of the curve in delivering exceptional service and results. If you're looking for a workplace where these values are lived every day, and where you can make a real impact, we'd love to have you join us.

About the role

As Public Affairs Manager, you will be at the forefront of shaping our external engagement, ensuring the HTA is recognised as a credible and influential voice. This role involves developing and delivering an effective public affairs programme that ensures our members' interests are well represented across Westminster and the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. You'll play a key role in influencing political conversations, engaging with policymakers, and ensuring the sector's voice is heard in key discussions and decision-making processes.

You'll also have the opportunity to travel regularly, meeting with members and stakeholders across the UK to understand their needs, provide support, and gather insights that will inform our public affairs strategy.

Key responsibilities:

Develop and implement a targeted public affairs strategy to build relationships with key political and governmental stakeholders in Westminster and the devolved administrations (Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland).

Act as the primary liaison with MPs, civil servants, select committees, and relevant public bodies.

Monitor the political landscape and parliamentary activity to identify opportunities for engagement and influence.

Represent the HTA at external meetings, parliamentary groups, stakeholder events, and relevant coalitions or alliances, advocating for the needs of the UK horticulture sector.

Draft compelling briefings, letters, statements, and responses to government activity and parliamentary processes.

Work closely with internal teams to align messaging and support broader communications and media campaigns.

This role offers hybrid working, but there is an important need for regular in-person collaboration and visibility across our offices and with members:

Whilst you will be based in our London office (Westminster), you'll be expected to work from our Oxfordshire office (Chilton) for specific team meetings and planning. We will reimburse travel expenses for your journey to the Oxfordshire office.

Spend at least 2-3 days per week in our London office, supporting engagement activity and collaborating with colleagues.

The rest of your week will depend on work commitments -- you may be visiting member sites, attending external meetings, working from either office, or working from home.

We believe in flexibility and trust, and we'll support you to manage your time in a way that enables you to deliver your best work while staying connected to the wider team and our members.

About you

We are looking for an experienced Public Affairs Manager who has the below:

Demonstrable experience in public affairs and policy, having worked in Parliament, trade association, Government, campaign organisation, PR/public affairs agency or similar.

Previous experience of line management and/or managing a team.

Educated to degree level in a relevant field such as politics or international relations.

Strong research, analytical and drafting skills, being able to communicate complex information in a concise, accurate and clear way and in a range of formats (written, verbal, presentations, etc).

Excellent written, verbal and electronic communication skills.

An eye for detail with the ability to multi-task, work well to tight deadlines and with competing priorities.

Understanding of and interest in UK political processes, politics and policy developments.

Strong organisation and workload management skills.

Full UK Driving Licence

IT literate with demonstrable knowledge of MS Office including Outlook.

Comfortable with regular travel across the UK and attending events outside of office and office hours.

Desirable

Understanding of, experience and interest in UK devolved political settings and processes.

Experience or expertise on issues relating to environmental horticulture, for example, trade policy, skills, environmental policy or similar.

Behavioural competencies

Collaborative team player, professional, reliable and approachable.

A proactive, can-do attitude.

Drive and commitment to delivery.

Strong member focus.

Able to effectively engage and build effective relationships with colleagues across the organisation and external stakeholders.

Our benefits:

Generous holiday allowance - 30 days holiday (plus bank holidays)

Pension auto enrolment - 4% employee & 5% employer pension contributions as standard with matched contributions up to 10%

Life assurance

Health Cash Plan

Employee Discount Scheme

Cycle 2 Work and Electric Vehicle salary sacrifice schemes

Regular wellbeing and social activities

On site parking in Oxfordshire office

How to apply

Join us in championing environmental horticulture, supporting HTA members and shaping the future of green spaces. Apply now to be part of a team dedicated to promoting and supporting a thriving industry!

To apply for the role, please send your CV and a brief covering letter outlining your interest and relevant experience to recruitment@hta.org.uk. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged.

Closing date for applications is

5pm on Tuesday 6th May 2025.

The HTA is committed to embedding diversity, equity and inclusion into our culture and our talent processes. We believe in creating a workplace where our people are treated with dignity and respect, a workplace free of barriers or discrimination in relation to age, race, religion, philosophical belief or lack of belief, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, disability, pregnancy and maternity. We are focused on providing an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment process and will make accommodations upon request for candidates wherever needed and practical throughout the hiring process.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 55,000.00-60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Additional leave Company pension Cycle to work scheme Employee discount Free flu jabs Free parking Life insurance On-site parking
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Experience:

public affairs and policy: 3 years (required) Line management: 2 years (preferred)
Language:

Fluent english (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Didcot OX11 0RN

Reference ID: PAM