Senior Manager - Public Affairs

Overview

Part of The Weber Shandwick Collective, we're the earned-first global communications agency, led by world-class strategic thinkers and creative activators. We create shared and sustainable value for businesses, people, and society. We energize the right mix of talent, using the right platforms and latest technology to choreograph stories that make a real and meaningful impact for some of the world's leading brands and businesses

Our game-changing work is recognized by some of the most prestigious industry awards bodies, and we have won more than 135 Lions at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. We're also PRWeek's 2024 Global Agency of the Year as well as being listed on the Ad Age A-List 2024 and Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies 2024.

More than ever, organizations need to solve for unprecedented challenges born of technology-driven disruption. We fuse global teams grounded in technology, digital innovation and analytics to help clients. As we live in an always-on world, our brand positioning reflects this need to engage with our always-on audience, just as we advise our clients to do. We inspire. We incite. We shape ideas and conversations, and we activate our global reach for local causes and multinational brands alike, and we're always ready for more problems to solve.

Our Values:

CURIOSITY - We cultivate curiosity and challenge convention. Because solving any problem begins by asking the right questions

INCLUSION - We foster teams and environments built on belonging and openness to possibility. Because the best ideas have no bias

COURAGE - We stand up for what we believe in. Because being comfortable with the uncomfortable is how progress is made

IMPACT - We strive to make a meaningful difference in everything we do. Because we owe it to our people, or clients and the world

About the Opportunity

As a Senior Manager - Public Affairs, you will play a key role in advising clients across AI, technology, e-commerce, digital platforms, and emerging sectors on policy communications, regulatory strategy, and advocacy. You will be responsible for designing and executing strategic public affairs plans, managing day-to-day client deliverables, and delivering high-impact campaigns that influence policy outcomes and public discourse. This role sits at the intersection of policy, media, third-party advocacy, and reputation, requiring strong strategic judgment, executional rigour, and confidence working with complex stakeholder ecosystems

Key Responsibilities

Public Affairs Strategy & Client Advisory

• Design and execute public affairs and advocacy plans aligned with client business objectives across AI, tech, e-commerce, digital economy, sustainability, and adjacent sectors.
• Act as a strategic advisor to clients on navigating policy, regulatory, and reputational challenges through communications-led advocacy.
• Manage day-to-day client deliverables, ensuring quality, consistency, and timeliness across multiple workstreams.
• Monitor and analyse policy, legislative, regulatory, and political developments, translating insights into clear, actionable recommendations for clients.
• Identify emerging policy risks, opportunities, and narrative shifts relevant to client priorities.

Stakeholder Engagement & Third-Party Advocacy

• Design and manage stakeholder engagement and third-party advocacy strategies, including partnerships with industry bodies, think tanks, civil society organisations, trade associations, and policy influencers.
• Be well versed in third-party advocacy models, including coalition-building, indirect advocacy, and ecosystem engagement to advance client objectives.
• Identify, map, and engage policy influencers, KOLs, and credible external voices to support advocacy and thought leadership efforts.
• Advise clients on effective participation in consultations, industry forums, and public policy conversations.

Content, Thought Leadership & Advocacy

• Lead the development of advocacy and policy communications materials, including policy briefs, position papers, consultation responses, opinion articles, blogs, reports, and executive talking points.
• Design and deliver thought leadership plans that position clients as credible, responsible voices on technology policy, AI governance, digital trade, data, consumer protection, and related issues.
• Ensure strong editorial standards, message discipline, and strategic relevance across all public affairs content.

Campaigns, Events & External Engagements

• Design, plan, and execute public affairs campaigns and engagement platforms, including policy roundtables, stakeholder dialogues, closed-door briefings, and external-facing forums.
• Prepare senior client leaders for policy-facing engagements, media interactions, and sensitive stakeholder discussions.
• Support issues and crisis management related to public policy, regulatory scrutiny, or reputational risk, providing clear and measured counsel.

Account Leadership & Business Development

• Lead day-to-day account management, ensuring seamless coordination, proactive problem-solving, and high-quality service delivery.
• Identify opportunities for account expansion, incremental projects, and integrated mandates.
• Contribute to proposals, pitches, and new business development through policy research, strategic framing, and narrative development.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams across PR, Digital, Corporate Reputation, and Analytics to deliver integrated solutions.

Team Leadership

• Mentor and guide junior team members, supporting capability-building in research, stakeholder mapping, advocacy execution, and content development
• Ensure strong project management, attention to detail, and adherence to timelines across all deliverables.

Key Qualifications & Skills

Experience: 6 - 8 years of experience in public affairs, policy communications, advocacy, or corporate affairs. Agency, consulting, technology, or policy-focused experience is preferred.

Educatio n: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Public Policy, Political Science, International Relations, Law, Economics, or related fields.

Policy Acumen : Strong understanding of India's policy and regulatory environment, particularly across technology, AI, digital platforms, and e-commerce.

Execution Excellence : Proven ability to manage day-to day client deliverables while maintaining strategic oversight.

Communication : Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills with experience producing high-quality advocacy and policy content.

Stakeholder Strategy: Demonstrated experience with third-party advocacy, coalition building, and ecosystem engagement.

Strategic Thinking: Strong analytical skills to assess policy developments and design effective advocacy plans.

Issues Management: Experience supporting clients through sensitive policy or reputational situations.

Collaboration: Ability to work across teams, sectors, and fast-paced agency environments.

Note from the team

Weber Shandwick is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Weber Shandwick is committed to building a culture where all employees are seen as equal, are respected and where all opinions are heard. We take pride in our inclusive hiring, as well as our diverse workforce and we welcome applications from all qualified candidates.

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