Role: Director of Policy and Public Affairs UK

Base location: Osterley

Overview:

Sky is seeking an experienced and dynamic professional to join as Director of Policy and Public Affairs in the UK, reporting to the Group Director of Corporate Affairs.

Given the convergence of different technologies and changing consumer tastes for media consumption, this area is critical to Sky’s business strategy and future plans. Being proactive and energetic about promoting and protecting Sky’s interests through political stakeholder engagement is vital.

The Director of Policy and Public Affairs oversees a team of six people in the UK, Sky’s biggest market. The role’s remit covers all of Sky’s established activities across TV, communications, tech and finance, as well as new product developments and emerging regulatory and competitive threats and opportunities.

This leadership role will be instrumental in guiding the Policy and Public Affairs teams, ensuring strategic alignment with business objectives, and representing Sky in various high-profile settings.

What you’ll do:

• Support the Group Director of Corporate Affairs and Group Executive to understand and respond to a range of UK political, policy and reputational issues.
• Lead and inspire a team of Policy and Public Affairs professionals, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
• Develop and implement strategic plans to advance Sky's policy & public affairs objectives in alignment with business goals.
• Provide clear direction and oversight to the Policy and Public Affairs team, ensuring effective execution of campaigns and initiatives to shape a favourable political environment.
• Stay closely connected to legislative and regulatory developments in the Media, Communications, and Tech sectors, and assess their impact on Sky.
• Represent Sky in high-profile settings, including Select Committee appearances, Ministerial meetings & roundtables, and industry conferences.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, government officials, parliamentarians, regulatory bodies, and industry associations.
• Work closely with teams across business units to understand the impact of policy developments on operations and provide strategic guidance.
• Collaborate with the Group Director of Corporate Affairs to ensure consistent and cohesive political activities across all markets.
• Join, contribute to, and work in collaboration with the Corporate Affairs Directors’ Leadership team.
  

We’re looking for:

• Significant experience gained in a similar role, within a corporate, governmental or regulatory environment.
• Proven track record of leading successful integrated campaigns and initiatives with demonstrative outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire teams, fostering a collaborative and results-oriented environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to represent the company in high-profile forums.
• Excellent external network with a wide range of political and regulatory stakeholders
• Deep understanding of core public policy issues relevant to the media, communications and tech industries.
• Proven experience in developing and executing strategic public affairs plans aligned with business objectives.
• (Desirable) Extensive knowledge of the Media, Communications, or Tech sectors and relevant policy issues.
  

Where you’ll work:

Osterley: At Sky we operate a hybrid model (3 days office based, 2 days remote)

Our Osterley Campus is a 10-minute walk from Syon Lane train station. Or you can hop on one of our free shuttle buses that run to and from Osterley, Gunnersbury, Ealing Broadway and South Ealing tube stations. There’s also plenty of bike shelters and showers.

On campus, you’ll find 13 subsidised restaurants, cafes, and a Waitrose. You can keep in shape at our subsidised gym, catch the latest shows and movies at our cinema, get your car washed and even get pampered at our beauty salon.

The Rewards:

There's a reason people can't stop talking about #LifeAtSky. Our great range of rewards really are something special, here are just a few:

• Sky Q, for the TV you love all in one place or a NOW Membership
• A generous pension package
• Private healthcare
• Discounted mobile and broadband
• Access a wide range of exclusive Sky VIP rewards and experiences

Inclusion:

We take pride in our approach to diversity and inclusion: we’ve been recognised by The Times and Stonewall for this, and we’ve committed £30million to support the fight against racial injustice. We’ve also set ambitious targets for increasing ethnic diversity and representation throughout our organisation.

At Sky we don’t just look at your CV. We’re more focused on who you are and your potential. We also know that everyone has a life outside work.

If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, speak to our recruitment team who will be happy to support you.

Join Sky and play a key role in shaping the policy landscape for the UK’s leading media and communications company.