Director of Northern Ireland Retail Consortium

Murray McIntosh are proud to have partnered with the UK's leading trade association for retailers as the Director of Northern Ireland Retail Consortium. The role purpose is to expand the NIRC's profile, credibility, and influence with key political audiencesin Northern Ireland through well planned and executed campaigns, drawing on strong relationships with important stakeholders.

Retail is an exciting, dynamic and diverse industry. It is a driving force in our economy, a hotbed of innovation and the UK's largest private sector employer. Retailers touch the lives of millions of people every day, supporting the vibrancy of the communitiesthey operate in.

The industry is going through a period of unprecedented change as Covid and technology transform how people shop, at the same time as many regulatory changes and increasing business costs.

The BRC's purpose is to make a positive difference to the industry and the customers it serves, today and in the future. This means ensuring that the industry thrives through this period of change and adding value to members.

This is a part time role for 3 days a week. You will be homebased living in Northern Ireland, with occasional travel to visit stakeholders in Northern Ireland and the BRC's office in London.

ROLE PURPOSE

Reporting to the BRC's Head of Devolved Government Affairs, you will maximise the NIRC's engagement with the Northern Ireland Executive (NIE) and Assembly, as well as relevant stakeholders. You will identify and deliver priority policy and advocacy campaigns,establishing the NIRC as the leading voice of retail in Northern Ireland. Working alongside colleagues in the BRC and providing support to colleagues working in Scotland and Wales and wider Corporate Affairs team, you will ensure that a coherent and consistentposition is taken on issues affecting retailers trading across the UK and NI.

• Develop strong and effective working relationships with Corporate/Public Affairs teams and NI regional managers within member companies and will provide support to members who do not have in-house corporate/public affairs specialists.
• Responsible for the effective engagement of the member groups providing oversight and governance to the work in NI.
• Develop, lead and deliver compelling campaigns on issues critical to the NIRC and its members, drawing on the expertise of policy colleagues and member companies.
• Liaise with policy colleagues on critical issues, taking the resulting policy messages into the political arena. You will initiate and consolidate critical NI relationships in Stormont, across NI, and in Westminster, as well as within the NIRC membership.
• Seek out and capitalise on opportunities to engage and develop effective working relations with decision makers and key influencers in the NIE, Assembly and other influential bodies, promoting the retail agenda.
• Promote the contribution of retail, including multiple and online retailing, to the NI economy and society.

The ideal role holder will have/ be:

• demonstrate significant experience adding value in a government relations or public affairs role
• an established political network in Stormont and across Northern Ireland with detailed knowledge of the Northern Ireland Executive, Assembly, and their processes
• a consummate communicator, able to demonstrate gravitas, credibility and an ability to rapidly build an understanding of the key issues likely to affect NIRC members
• a self-starter who is able to use initiative to identify opportunities and the drive to develop and deliver advocacy campaigns
• perceived as, politically neutral, respected by and able to work with all sectors and communities in NI.

The post-holder will be based from home, with occasional travel to visit stakeholders in NI and also BRC in London.

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.