Head of Road Freight Policy

at  Logistics UK

ABOUT LOGISTICS UK

Logistics UK, formerly the Freight Transport Association is one of the biggest business groups in the UK, representing the entire industry with members from the road, rail, sea, and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.
An effective supply chain is vital to Keep Britain Trading, directly impacting over 7 million people employed in making, selling and moving the goods that affect everyone everywhere. With Brexit, technology and other disruptive forces driving changes in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK PLC.

JOB SUMMARY

• Be the owner of Logistics UK’s safe and efficient road freight policy theme.
• Devise and deliver strategies to drive forward Logistics UK’s goals for this policy theme, supported by and gathering input from colleagues across the Directorate and the business.
• Own and develop our regional programme of English Freight Councils, increasing attendance and ensuring meetings provide a high level of member engagement and useful insights.
• Build and display a competent level of knowledge across all policy areas in the policy portfolio, proactively monitoring and briefing on new and emerging topics, and educating colleagues as appropriate to support collaboration.
• Proactively develop policy proposals and positions, with member input, to lead the debate and shape government and stakeholder thinking.
• Have responsibility for developing relationships with decision-makers and carrying out effective engagement, as well as supporting individual Freight Council Secretary’s with relevant regional policy development and engagement.
• Own and deliver Logistics UK’s policy report ahead of each regional Freight Council round three times a year and will work with the team to develop policy items for discussion and agreement.
• Produce high quality reports, consultation responses, briefing documents, speaking notes and presentations, for a variety of audiences.
• Devise and deliver effective presentations for members and a variety of stakeholders, including at Logistics UK events and external conferences. You will own road policy content for our Transport Manager programme, working closely with the events team.
• Ensure members are informed of policy proposals and impending regulatory changes that will impact their businesses through the production of high-quality briefings and other materials, also by working as required with the Compliance Team (including Member Advice Centre) to plan and deliver relevant policy information and briefing materials.
• Inform and agree media plans and lines on policy topics in the portfolio, and act as media spokesperson as required.
• Inform public affairs plans and content on policy topics in the portfolio, and support engagement with political stakeholders as required.
• Line management responsibility for senior policy managers, policy managers and senior policy advisors, as designated.
• Delegate policy responsibilities to others in the team, ensuring their work is overseen and aligns with our policy theme goals.
• Collaborate closely with Directorate colleagues by providing expert support on policy issues and lines to take for their engagement with decision-makers and members.
• Responsible for effective cross-Directorate and organisation working to deliver wider business objectives.

REQUIREMENTS

• Educated to degree level or equivalent.
• Persuasive and articulate communication skills, both written, verbal and using presentations.
• Ability and confidence to represent Logistics UK externally at the highest levels of government and with media.
• Team player able to contribute to Logistics UK’s wider policy, communications and commercial objectives.
• Understanding of how public policy is developed and how to influence it.
• Interest in logistics issues or a willingness to learn.
• Be prepared to travel on a regular basis, as required to fulfil the responsibilities of the role.
• Experience working on environmental and sustainability issues, particularly in transport.
• Policy experience in a relevant business area, agency, trade association, government department or public body an advantage.

• Devise policy positions and shape and deliver campaigns on the policy theme, with the ability to pick up additional topics as required.
• Ensure accuracy in policy information and positions on assigned topics and ensure consensus member views are accurately represented.
• Provide expert policy support across Logistics UK on assigned topics to help deliver wider business goals.
• Act as Secretary to assigned councils and working groups, arranging engagement, speakers and meetings in a variety of forms. You will provide oversight of other councils and working groups that are managed by Direct Reports.
• Have the ability to coach and develop direct reports and collaborate with the wider team. You will support junior colleagues within the department, settings tasks and overseeing outputs.
• Have the ability to deliver to Budget.
• Able to demonstrate the Logistics UK’s core values (Excellence, Dynamism, Togetherness, Reputation).