Public Affairs Officer
Exeter, England / Redhill
South West Water – South West Water - Corporate Services - Corporate Communications /
Permanent full-time /
Hybrid
At Pennon Group, we’re proud to be leading the way in the water and renewables industries. Alongside our subsidiaries - South West Water, Bristol Water, Bournemouth Water, SES Water, Pennon Water Services and Pennon Power - we’re committed to delivering a sustainable future of our region. Because we know that by continually driving up our standards today, we’ll build a better tomorrow for our communities.
Would you like to use your knowledge and experience to be part of a progressive company with a focus on the future?
We currently have an opportunity available for a Public Affairs Officer to join our team working in Exeter or Redhill. Joining us on a full-time basis, you will receive a competitive salary of up to £28,000 - £36,000 depending on skills and experience.
About the role
The Corporate Affairs Team at Pennon Group has an exciting opportunity for a new Public Affairs Officer to help deliver our ongoing policymaker engagement and support on campaigns which will influence local and national policy. The team plays a key role in managing the company’s external reputation with politicians, the media, partners and other stakeholders.
As Public Affairs Officer you will play an integral part in bringing our story to life to local and national political stakeholders helping the team to implement the company’s Corporate Affairs strategy including through research, insight, casework, event organisation and stakeholder engagement.
What you'll be doing
- Build relationships and nurture those with MP offices, case workers and researchers to gain insight, arrange site visits and join up the dots on key MP activity.
- Lead and deliver casework responses to MPs offices.
- Contribute to help shape the framework, approach and plan for the organisation’s ongoing Public Affairs engagement.
- Supports the development of policy influencing campaigns.
- Provides research, information and expert advice to help the business deliver broader activity.
- Assists with the organisation and briefing of senior managers attendance at external events and public meetings, such as MP visits and council meetings.
- Works with external agencies and own network to ensure that up-to-date information of external matters such as parliamentary activity are shared with senior managers in a simple, accessible and timely manner.
- Responds to stakeholder enquiries via letter, email and phone calls.
What we're looking for
- Knowledge and experience of public affairs.
- Experience in communications within a political environment.
- Confident to attend events with an understanding of local and national government.
- Ideally experience or knowledge of the water industry, or similar regulated environment.
- Confident working with key stakeholders with the ability to establish and build effective working relationships.
- Excellent research skills and the ability to translate research into high-quality briefings for senior managers and providing expert and best practice advice to the rest of the business.
- Well organised, with the ability to work on several projects and initiatives at once.
- Driving licence, comfortable with extensive UK travel and some out of hours working (including forming part of out-of-hours press office function).
What's in it for you
- We know that the support and commitment of our staff is key to our success so you will receive the opportunity for ongoing development and training for a long-term career with us. We’re one of the largest companies in the South West and are proud to have been awarded Investors in People recognition.
- In return, we will offer an excellent range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays
- A discretionary Bonus
- Competitive Contributory Pension
- Access to the Company Sharesave Scheme
- Various health benefits
- And more!
Closing date: 13th July 2025
Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.
Our core values which are essential to our success are:
Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.
Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
