Location

London

Salary

Contract Type

permanent

Murray McIntosh are proud to have partnered with the British Retail Consortium to support the recruitment of a key hire, their Policy lead for retail property related issues, representing UK retail to government.

Retail is a driving force in our economy, a hotbed of innovation and the UK's largest private sector employer. As the trade association for retail businesses, the BRC's purpose is to make a positive difference to the retail industry and the customers it serves, today and in the future. Their membership base comprises over 170 major retailers and delivers an estimated £180bn of retail sales and employ over 1.5 million employees.

Customer and business retail trends mean the physical presence of retail will change over the next decade so it's critical that retailers continue to evolve and advance. The BRC are committed to ensuring the industry thrives through this period of transformation, using their expertise and influence to create an economic and policy environment that enables retail businesses to thrive and consumers to benefit.

Retail industry experience isn't necessary- if you have strong understanding of policy development and influencing in the UK and knowledge of the current key issues within property, such as business rates, planning or the levelling up agenda, this is a fantastic opportunity to take on an autonomous role within a collaborative team and well-respected industry body.

ROLE PURPOSE

The BRC's Property Policy Adviser leads the management and oversight of the BRC's Property community, made up of senior Property Directors and experts from across the industry. The interests of this community are focussed on a broad range of strategic priorities, currently including Business Rates, the landlord/tenant relationship, planning, the future of physical retailing and wider property issues. The role also takes responsibility for relevant areas of HM Treasury policy impacting retail property.

One current priority area of focus for the Property Policy Adviser is our new project looking at retail's role in levelling up and the future of the High Street. Against the backdrop of accelerating retail transformation, the project will look at current customer and business retail trends and how we think the physical presence of retail could develop over the next decade. It will aim to set out clear policy asks of UK Government, devolved administrations, and local interests to support a positive transformation.

The role requires the development and maintenance of effective working relationships with senior retailers, Government officials and a broad range of other stakeholders. It involves close working with colleagues across the organisation to deliver quantifiable positive outcomes. It also requires an ability to work with partners to deliver outcomes which have commercial benefit to the BRC.

THE ROLE

Oversight and management of the Property Community, working with Learning, Membership, Insight and Corporate Affairs teams in developing and maintaining a clear overarching cross BRC strategy for the community

Work closely with the Corporate Affairs and Membership team to identify opportunities to raise political and public awareness of retail finance priorities, expand the reach of the community across the membership, target new members and deliver member value.

Represent BRC interests with public and private stakeholders, particularly engaging at an early stage with government and other related bodies on policy with implications for retail.

Development of all relevant policy documents and detailed submissions in response to relevant government consultations.

Identifying and developing relationships with potential associate members and other partners.

Make presentations to industry and stakeholder conferences and meetings to advance the BRC's objectives.

The ideal role holder will have/ be:

Strong knowledge and understanding of policy development and influencing in the UK
Experience and/or knowledge of the property landscape and key issues such as business rates, high street regeneration or sustainability.
A consummate communicator, able to demonstrate gravitas, credibility and an ability to rapidly build an understanding of the key issues likely to affect BRC members, together with knowledge of the key stakeholders, both within government and beyond
Effective change and project management skills are required to ensure consistent delivery of the community's objectives
An enthusiastic self-starter and pro-active team player, supporting colleagues in driving a culture of constant improvement

This role is based in the BRC offices in London and remote/ hybrid working arrangements can be considered

Please apply with a copy of your CV to find out more.

The closing date for applications is Thursday 31st March.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or age.