Head of Telecoms and Spectrum Policy (Maternity Cover)

at  techUK

techUK & UK Spectrum Policy Forum overview:
techUK is the trade association which brings together people, companies, and organisations to realise the positive outcomes of what digital technology can achieve. With 1000 members (the majority of which are SMEs) across the UK, techUK creates a network for innovation and collaboration across business, government, and stakeholders to provide a better future for people, society, the economy, and the planet. By providing expertise and insight, we support our members, partners, and stakeholders as they prepare the UK for what comes next in a constantly changing world.
Our Telecoms Programme brings together government, the regulator, telecom companies and stakeholders to help the UK maximise the benefits of adopting advanced communications services, maintain confidence in the security and resilience of our networks, and explore future telecoms. We do so to lower the cost to the sector of deployment, spur innovation and unlock value for all parties in connectivity. This is delivered through a mix of thought leadership, multilateral engagement and ecosystem building.
techUK houses several special purpose vehicles, including the UK Spectrum Policy Forum (SPF). The purpose of the Spectrum Policy Forum is to be a pro-active industry-led sounding board to UK Government and Ofcom on future policy and approaches on spectrum and a cross-industry agent for promoting the role of spectrum in society and the maximisation of its economic and social value to the UK.
Role Purpose:
We are seeking an experienced leader and driven individual to lead techUK’s Telecoms workstream and the SPF.
This high profile role provides an opportunity to develop crisp telecoms policy, regulatory and market development proposals to help grow the UK’s connectivity sector and deliver world-class digital infrastructure. The successful candidate will be at the heart of key debates between government, regulators, and the increasingly diverse market segments with an interest in telecoms, as well as act as techUK’s external voice on connectivity issues. This role would suit an articulate and enthusiastic individual, with the ability to lead engagement on policy consultations and the delivery of projects and events; balancing the campaign-based focus of techUK’s telecoms programme with the more evidence and report-based work of the UK SPF.
The position requires the ability to work with a large and diverse selection of external stakeholders, manage work spanning the full range of telecoms policy issues, undertake and commission analysis of complex issues coupled with the ability to communicate and promote this analysis clearly and effectively to a broad audience.
You would be responsible for financial targets in these two areas as well as line management responsibility for two Programme Managers. You would report into the Director of Markets and be a part of techUK’s senior management layer.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership, direction and management of the Communications Infrastructure and Services Programme and UK Spectrum Policy Forum, managing the work of the relevant Programme Managers
• Deliver the financial targets for membership, retention and grant-funding as required
• Champion and represent the views of techUK and its members during multilateral engagement with government departments and key stakeholders. Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders in government, including the Department for Science, Technology and Innovation (DSIT), opposition, public sector bodies and the regulator
• Be a knowledgeable, informed and trusted single point of contact for techUK staff and members on issues related to telecoms, digital infrastructure and spectrum
• Manage and deliver regular meetings of techUK’s Communications Infrastructure and Services Council, Working Groups, Committees and TSA Industry Sessions, working with relevant Programme Managers and Team Assistant
• Foster a cohesive ecosystem for members and wider industry through a diverse events programme, briefings, meetings and workshops; programme activity and content
• Lead the development and management of projects, white papers, policy positions, briefings and consultation responses that aim to resolve shared challenges between the telecoms industry and the wider economy. This includes the commissioning of external research studies for the UK SPF

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Core Competencies

• A self-motivated individual with a positive can-do approach who can manage competing demands and has experience in responding to tight deadlines
• Commercially-minded with an ability to convey techUK’s value proposition to members, and value of UK Spectrum Policy Forum to stakeholders
• An effective manager and mentor to line reports who can provide strategic leadership and direction to a number of areas of work as well as identify opportunities for cross programme working and coordination
• Good management and organisational skills, particularly able to prioritise tasks, provide strategic direction and leadership and with good attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate technical and policy information effectively to a range of audiences
• Comfortable with public speaking and presenting at events and engaging with the media
• Ability to use the tools and technologies techUK provides; including but not limited to Microsoft Office 365, CRM, mobile and home working software, web tools and social media

Essential Knowledge and Experience

• A strong interest in telecoms and spectrum policy, including the technologies and market dynamics within the digital infrastructure sector
• A proven understanding of the key issues and challenges facing the UK telecoms sector, including the policy and regulatory approaches impacting the sector
• In-depth knowledge of public policy and public affairs
• A proven track record and experience of building and managing relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including at the C-suite level
• Experience of responding to government and Parliamentary consultations including managing a consultation process and writing formal responses
• Experience of developing, managing and running flagship events as well as briefings, and webinars for a wide range of stakeholders, ensuring accuracy and attention to detail
• Experience of public speaking at a range of events and meetings, and acting as a representative for an organisation
• A broad understanding of the role of trade bodies
• Ability to develop and then effectively communicate messages to a broad range of stakeholders and draft policy positions on their behalf

Desired Knowledge and Experience

• A strong interest in and detailed understanding of the key issues, opportunities and challenges related to the UK’s tech and innovation sector
• Experience of speaking and engaging with the media and media training
• A well-established network of contacts and connections with key stakeholders across the UK telecoms ecosystem
• An understanding of the economic, social, and political environment, members’ business sectors and business models, stakeholders, and their drivers

Additional Information
This is a full time role based out of techUK’s London offices, however techUK operates a flexible working policy.
This role profile is a guide to the work that is required but does not form part of any contract of employment and may change from time to time to reflect changing circumstances.
The successful candidate must have permission to work in the UK prior to the commencement of employment.
The salary range for this role is £45,000-£60,000 per annum based upon experience plus comprehensive benefits.
About techUK
techUK is a membership organisation that brings together people, companies and organisations to realise the positive outcomes of what digital technology can achieve in collaboration with our sister company TechSkills.org. We collaborate across business, government and stakeholders to fulfil the potential of technology to deliver a stronger society and more sustainable future. By providing expertise and insight, we support our members, partners and stakeholders as they prepare the UK for what comes next in a constantly changing world.

• Provide strategic leadership, direction and management of the Communications Infrastructure and Services Programme and UK Spectrum Policy Forum, managing the work of the relevant Programme Managers
• Deliver the financial targets for membership, retention and grant-funding as required
• Champion and represent the views of techUK and its members during multilateral engagement with government departments and key stakeholders. Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders in government, including the Department for Science, Technology and Innovation (DSIT), opposition, public sector bodies and the regulator
• Be a knowledgeable, informed and trusted single point of contact for techUK staff and members on issues related to telecoms, digital infrastructure and spectrum
• Manage and deliver regular meetings of techUK’s Communications Infrastructure and Services Council, Working Groups, Committees and TSA Industry Sessions, working with relevant Programme Managers and Team Assistant
• Foster a cohesive ecosystem for members and wider industry through a diverse events programme, briefings, meetings and workshops; programme activity and content
• Lead the development and management of projects, white papers, policy positions, briefings and consultation responses that aim to resolve shared challenges between the telecoms industry and the wider economy. This includes the commissioning of external research studies for the UK SP