Head of UK Government Relations

Do you have a passion for tackling climate change and expertise in key account management or stakeholder relationship management?

As one of the globe’s leading environmental charities, WRAP works tirelessly to help government, business, citizens work together to tackle the climate crisis. We’re experts in making the world a cleaner, longer lasting place – and we’re on a mission to ensure that we use our resources sustainably. We work with a range of partners including national, local, and regional governments, NGOs, charities and FTSE-100 and Fortune 500 businesses.

As the Head of UK Government Relations, you will build and manage WRAP’s strategic relationships with key government departments UK wide, being accountable to government funders for the delivery of WRAP programmes. You’ll provide support to securing new and more diverse government income streams, as well as helping to expand the reach of WRAP Government funded work outside of our core government grants, to attract funding for wider WRAP activities including global initiatives.

Reporting to the Director of Insights and Innovation, and operating as part of the senior leadership team, you’ll have the expertise in the effective management of key external stakeholder relationships, as the primary interface with our major government funders. You’ll oversee the delivery of each government grant agreement to ensure funders are delighted with our performance, working closely with WRAP programme leads to maintain a strong overview of WRAP products and activities, and to maximise potential funding opportunities. You will also liaise with the commercial and fundraising teams to ensure consistency within business development and grant tendering processes. Some additional responsibilities will include:

• Identify where cross government activities might be possible and demonstrate WRAPs added value to funders.
• Work with SLT, particularly the Head of Policy and Insight and Head of EPR, to grow government opportunities.
• Develop annual programme proposals for each funder in conjunction with the wider WRAP planning process and manage the income generation process for government grant funding.
• Monitor the performance and lead the reporting for all Government grant funded activities.
• Work closely with the External Relations Lead to ensure that our government funding relationships and our policy advocacy & influence activities are consistent and mutually reinforce each other.
• Provide briefings for the CEO, Chair and Executive on all aspects of the Government funded grants and associated subjects as required.

As well as displaying significant experience of building successful relationships at all levels with funders, partners and/or customers, you will also be able to demonstrate an understanding of the workings of UK governments, including the mechanisms of government procurement processes and practices. You will also show the ability to appreciate the cultural differences across the various UK government funders and delivery landscapes. You will be an effective communicator, able to evidence strong influencing, collaboration and relationship management skills with internal and external stakeholders. You will also show a commercial mindset, accompanied by very competent business management skills. Previous experience within a governmental, NGO or equivalent organisation would be advantageous.

When applying for the role, you’ll be asked to describe how you meet the following job essentials:

• Significant demonstrable experience of building successful relationships at all levels with funders, partners and/or customers.
• Able to demonstrate an understanding of the workings of UK governments, including the mechanisms of government procurement processes and practices.
• Able to demonstrate a variety of influencing and negotiating approaches to engage others and deliver.
• Demonstrate evidence of successfully collaborating with colleagues of all levels to deliver a clear message to funders and customers.

Taking note: research shows that while men tend to apply for jobs when they meet around 60% of the criteria, women and marginalised people tend to only apply when they check every box. So if you think you have what it takes, but don’t necessarily meet every single point on the job description, please still apply.

You might be pleased to know that we’ve moved to hybrid working here at WRAP. Although this role is contractually based at one of our offices (Banbury, Cardiff, London or Belfast), in reality you will be able to work from home, with the caveat of coming into the office to collaborate with your teams as and when you need to. You, your manager, and your teams will have the freedom to decide when this will need to happen, but when it is agreed it will be important that you do attend the office. You’ll also need to be able to travel to various funder locations, including Northern Ireland as required. If you are invited for an interview, this can be discussed in more detail.

WRAP reserves the right to close this role early in the event of a large volume of applications.

If you’d like to view the details of this vacancy in Welsh, please visit https://wrapcymru.org.uk

About WRAP

WRAP is a climate action NGO working around the globe to tackle the causes of the climate crisis and give the planet a sustainable future. Our vision is a thriving world in which climate change is no longer a problem.

At WRAP we believe that our natural resources shouldn’t be wasted. And that everything we use should be re-used and recycled. Our mission is to make the world a more sustainable place. We bring people together, we act on the facts, and we drive change.

Our core purpose is to help tackle climate change and protect our planet by changing the way things are produced, consumed and disposed of.

If you join us at WRAP – and we think you should – you’ll help us by tackling sustainable product design, reducing waste, encouraging re-use or advocating recycling across the food and drink, plastic packaging, clothing and textiles and the collections and recycling sectors.

You can help us all to do better.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

We believe that diversity is to be celebrated, that equity is our mindset and inclusion is the norm.

We’re on a journey to become an organisation where the richness of different opinions, lived experiences and capabilities are nurtured. An organisation that looks beyond its own boundaries and thrives outside of its comfort zone.

Our people are what make WRAP unique. So, if you decide to join us in saving the planet, we commit to:

• value difference and create an inclusive environment where everybody feels a sense of belonging, where everybody feels comfortable being themselves.
• consider equity, diversity and inclusion in everything we do that relates to you, including our recruitment, selection and attraction practices. Should you join WRAP, this follows through to pay and reward, development opportunities and career progression.