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Senior Advocacy and Public Affairs Manager
Museums Galleries Scotland
Full-time
Edinburgh
Hybrid
£ 45,817
to
Application closing date:
May 19, 2025
About the organisation
- Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) is the National Development Body for Scotland’s museums and galleries. We support a sector of 449 museums and galleries, through strategic investment, workforce development, advice and advocacy. We are a forward facing and inclusive organisation, committed to the ongoing development of a positive culture for our team. You can find out more about our objectives, business plan and day to day goals on our website: https://www.museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk/about-us/
MGS currently has 39 staff. We have Gold Investors in People accreditation, are a Disability Confident Employer and a Living Wage Employer. MGS is striving to be an anti-racist organisation and more information on our commitment to this is here. We also aim to support museums and galleries to reach their climate and sustainability goals and our commitment to climate action can be found here.
About the vacancy
- We are seeking an experienced professional to lead our work to clearly communicate the positive value and impact of the museums and galleries sector. You will do this by developing and leading advocacy campaigns and activity that make a strong case for Scotland’s museums and galleries sector to influence a range of external audiences and stakeholders including Government Officials, Government Ministers, MSPs, relevant Committees, relevant funders and other key organisations and influencers.
Politically astute, the Senior Advocacy and Public Affairs Manager possesses strong communication and influencing skills, using research and information to build a political and public case for our sector and inform evidence-based advocacy messaging and activity.
Being able to navigate and effectively communicate complex issues that implicate the wider culture and heritage sector in Scotland will be essential. MGS has worked to raise awareness of the budget challenges faced by our sector while also striving to adapt to ensure relevance to communities and users. An exciting new capacity programme with the Scottish Government is in development designed to transition the sector to a sustainable footing and you would play an instrumental role in shaping how we communicate the benefits of this programme to key stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic
• Work with the Head of Strategy and Communications and Senior Management Team to develop advocacy and public affairs strategic plans and messaging that meets MGS’s strategic priorities
Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders to ensure strong MGS and sector profile and reputation
• Contribute to the delivery of the National Strategy for Scotland’s Museums and Galleries and ensure strong awareness of the strategy among key political stakeholders and policy makers
• Contribute to the development and delivery of MGS’s Business and Operational Plans, reporting on progress as required
• Lead on the coordination of the MGS led Scottish Museums Advocacy Group quarterly meetings
• Work closely with a policy network of MGS culture and heritage sector partners to help inform and develop aligned advocacy across organisations
Communications
• Lead on the delivery of Advocacy and Public affairs plans and activity with Marketing and Communications team, wider MGS and sector colleagues
• Communicate the views of MGS to legislators in the Scottish and UK Parliaments, local government and other external organisations, either directly or through joint working with strategic partners to influence decision making
• Lead on MGS’s responses to relevant public consultations co-ordinating with relevant sector partners and MGS colleagues
• Communicate MGS’s advocacy work to the sector through relevant channels including writing content for news items, newsletters and blogs
• Prepare briefings for Ministers, MSPs and Civil Servants in response to sector related matters
• Lead on briefings and speech notes for the Chair, Chief Executive Officer and senior managers for major events and key engagements that reflect sector advocacy messaging and maintains profile and engagement with the sector
Research and analysis
• Oversee and maintain timely monitoring of Parliament, Government, stakeholders, press and media on relevant policy developments in the museums and galleries and wider culture sector and brief MGS colleagues on relevant activity or issues
• Maintaining an understanding of current political priorities within MGS, making opportune connections to the work of the sector and MGS colleagues. Provide advice and guidance, both internally and externally, on relevant policy matters
• Work with Senior Management Team to maintain awareness of museums who are experiencing challenges; coordinating MGS’s response and supporting other organisations with response development when necessary
• Help inform relevant MGS research activity and leading on development of advocacy related messaging informed by data findings.
Relationships
• Build and nurture effective working relationships across the organisation and be part of an effective Senior Management Team
• Advocate on behalf of the sector and MGS and including representation to key external stakeholders and the Scottish museum sector as a whole
• Collaborate with other staff to identify and deliver opportunities to profile the work of the sector and MGS
Work fairly and with integrity and adapt style to different people, cultures and situations
People Management
• Line manage the Research Manager, working together to develop advocacy opportunities and messaging from findings from MGS or externally led pieces of research
• Work with Marketing and Communications Head and Managers to provide collaborative leadership of the Marketing and Communications team, supporting efficient allocation and prioratisation of resources.
• Provide support and recognition to staff and understand the needs and concerns of the team
• Take responsibility for development and motivation of staff, ensuring skills and strengths are used effectively
• Support on aspects of staff performance development and management process
Key Competencies
- Essential
• Significant experience gained working in an in house or agency Advocacy and Public Affairs Role or similar for example Public Relations or Government Affairs
• Politically astute with strong knowledge of the Scottish political system and priorities
• Experience of leading advocacy or awareness raising campaigns or activity designed to meet a need
• A strong understanding of policy development and influencing policy decisions
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• The ability to clearly and effectively communicate complex issues to a range of audiences
• Confidence using a range of digital platforms
Preferred
• Experience working with or in Scottish Government
• Experience of working with the Scottish or UK press
• People management experience
• Experience or knowledge of the museums and galleries, heritage or cultural sector
• Commissioning or using research findings in advocacy work
• Campaign measurement, evaluation and reporting
• Understanding and managing risk
Desired Qualifications
- No specific qualifications are required.
How to Apply
Please download documentation, fill form, and apply online with the web address below.
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