Policy and Public Affairs Senior Manager

Policy and Public Affairs Senior Manager, London, Permanent  

In this pivotal role, you’ll develop and implement a public affairs strategy, working closely with the Chief Policy & Engagement Officer and Head of Policy & Public Affairs. Your skills will help us effectively advocate for our policy positions and provide actionable insight on political and ecosystem trends to senior leaders. You’ll represent Pay.UK externally, building strong relationships within our ecosystem and with politicians, civil servants, and industry bodies, while developing strategies that align with our business priorities. 

 

Key Accountabilities: 

• Develop and implement a public affairs strategy that builds trust within our ecosystem and supports Pay.UK’s corporate strategy 

• Develop and maintain trusted relationships with government, parliamentary stakeholders, policymakers, industry forums and trade associations 

• Develop and implement robust reporting and measurement frameworks to track advocacy progress, assess policy impact, and provide timely, insightful updates to senior leaders and the board on political and reputational developments 

• Drive and contribute to Pay.UK's thought leadership agenda, leveraging internal expertise to enable the production of compelling policy papers and insights that position Pay.UK as a neutral, credible, and expert voice in payments policy 

• Identify opportunities to contribute to and shape public policy debates which will enhance Pay.UK’s reputation. 

• Represent Pay.UK in external working groups, trade associations and cross-industry forums 

• Work closely with directorates across the business to ensure alignment with strategy and policy positions 

• Encourage a culture that values collaboration, teamwork, and data-driven external engagement 

• Promote and support the participation of Pay.UK executives and senior colleagues in key industry events, forums, roundtables and panels. 

• Skillfully and credibly represent Pay.UK at external meetings, speaking events, forums and conferences. Supporting campaigns to advocate for changes in public policy and increase awareness of key issues 

• Deputise for the Head of Policy and Public Affairs as appropriate (including with external stakeholders). 

 

Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

• Degree-level education or equivalent experience 

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in public affairs, particularly in environments governed by UK regulations, with significant experience in partnerships with government officials, policymakers, trade groups, and think tanks 

• Experience in developing and executing public affairs strategies 

• Proven ability to grasp the dynamics of a complex political, regulatory, and economic landscape, and translate this understanding into clear, actionable recommendations for senior leadership 

• Highly effective communication and presentation skills - able to convey complex messages clearly and persuade diverse stakeholders 

• Ability to coordinate, provide direction, and ensure high-quality, timely outputs from colleagues 

• Proficient in organisational and project management tasks, especially in coordinating and managing workstreams that contribute to larger initiatives 

• Experience in other Financial Market Infrastructures (FMIs) or similarly regulated sectors (e.g., financial services, energy, telecoms) would be an advantage. 

At Pay.UK, we value diversity and inclusivity. Research has shown that candidates from underrepresented groups may hesitate to apply unless they meet all the requirements listed. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of how closely their skills and experience match the requirements. We are committed to supporting accessibility needs and creating a welcoming environment for all employees. Become part of our team and contribute to the creation of an inclusive work environment that values everyone's unique input.

 

Who we are

Pay.UK maintains and develops the UK retail payment systems and standards that are core to the economy being able to function on a day-to-day basis.

From Bacs to Faster Payments and cheques – we act as the single operator for all UK retail payments. We put the needs of consumers and businesses at the heart of everything we do, working in the public interest to ensure that the systems the country relies on for its banking transactions are safe, open, innovative and resilient.

Our payment systems underpin the services that enable funds to be transferred between people and institutions. In 2024, the UK's retail payment systems processed 11 billion transactions worth over £10 trillion through Bacs Direct Credit, Direct Debit, Faster Payments, and cheques, and our Current Account Switch Service has facilitated over 9 million switches since it’s launch in 2013.

Every day, individuals and businesses use the services we provide to get their salaries, pay their bills and make online and mobile banking payments. Our vision for the future is to enable a vibrant economy, with Pay.UK delivering the best-in-class payment infrastructure and standards for the benefit of consumers and businesses nationwide.

Benefits & Additional Information

• 12% Non-contributory pension
• Discretionary annual bonus 
• 30 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays)
• Private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, health cash plan, dental insurance, Bupa medicals etc
• Employee assistance programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Annual fitness subsidy of up to £500 per annum
• Working from home policy - minimum 40% in the office (eg. 2 days in the office over a 5 day working week)

Please note:

• Some of our benefits are only available to colleagues upon successful completion of the probationary period.