Policy & Public Affairs Officer - Professional Publishers Association (PPA)

From £32,000 • Professional Publishers Association (PPA) • London

Policy & Public Affairs Officer

Location: Central London (with flexible hybrid working)

Contract: Permanent, full-time (Mon-Fri, 35 hrs/wk)

Salary: From £32,000 depending on experience

At the Professional Publishers Association (PPA), we’re the driving voice of magazine media in the UK. From household-name consumer titles like Vogue, Empire and Good Housekeeping, to the industry’s leading B2B brands, our 250+ members shape culture, inform policy and connect communities.

About the role

This is a step up from an Executive role. As Policy & Public Affairs Officer, you will own defined policy workstreams and represent the PPA to policymakers and partners. You’ll lead consultations, produce high‑quality briefings and position papers, coordinate stakeholder coalitions, and help to shape and deliver our UK‑wide public affairs strategy across Westminster and the devolved administrations. You’ll regularly brief senior colleagues and member leaders and deputise for the Head of Policy & Public Affairs when required.

You will take full ownership of our public affairs activity on supply chain issues (including sustainability laws such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)) and on postal services (service quality and pricing), and lead policy work on the BBC Charter Review — building effective relationships with policymakers, regulators and industry partners across these portfolios.

What you’ll do

· Monitor & analyse: Track political, legislative and regulatory developments affecting specialist media (Westminster and devolved). Turn complex updates into clear, timely insight for colleagues and members.

· Write & influence: Draft consultation responses, submissions and letters; prepare concise briefings for meetings with Ministers, MPs, officials and regulators.

· Lead your portfolios: Own policy work on EUDR/sustainability laws and postal services policy & pricing; lead PPA positions on the BBC Charter Review.

· Engage stakeholders: Build and manage relationships with parliamentarians, advisers, officials and regulators (e.g. Ofcom, ICO, CMA, Royal Mail/Ofcom postal).

· Represent the sector: Attend and contribute at meetings, roundtables and industry forums; present evidence and positions credibly and diplomatically.

· Support delivery: Help execute the public affairs strategy and annual plan; coordinate member working groups and cross‑industry coalitions; track KPIs and next steps.

Who we’re looking for

· Strong understanding of UK political processes and public affairs; comfortable navigating Westminster and devolved contexts.

· Experience in policy analysis, political monitoring and stakeholder engagement.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to distil complex policy into clear, actionable messaging.

· Proactive, organised and comfortable managing multiple priorities at pace.

· Confident relationship‑builder with credibility in external settings.

· Nice to have: experience in sustainability, postal services and/or supply chain policy; experience in membership/trade bodies or regulated industries; understanding of EU/international policy processes.

What we offer

· Hybrid working with a supportive, collaborative culture.

· Networking & profile across PPA and Magnetic events, roundtables and briefings.

· Professional development with opportunities to own projects, present to members and build subject‑matter expertise.

How to apply:

Apply by midnight Sunday 21 September. Stage 1 interviews will take place in central London, Thursday 2 September.

A full job description can be found here

Policy & Public Affairs Officer_job description_0825_final.pdf

Don't miss this chance to be part of a dynamic team that's shaping the future of the publishing industry. Apply today!

Equal opportunities

We’re an equal-opportunity employer: we welcome diverse talent, offer flexible working and reasonable adjustments, foster an inclusive culture where every voice matters, and track our progress transparently.

Read the PPA ED&I Statement of Intent for more information.