Policy Advisor
This role is a key position within the UK Government Affairs team, delivering high-quality policy, regulatory, political and strategic advice to clients navigating complex regulatory environments. Working within a growing and high-profile practice, you will lead and contribute to policy engagement, stakeholder management and advocacy activities that shape client outcomes. You will also play a significant role in business development and enhancing the team’s external profile. By combining commercial insight with political and policy awareness, you will support clients to effectively influence and respond to government policy and regulatory developments.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Lead the delivery of high-quality policy and regulatory advice, supporting clients to navigate complex political and legislative environments
- Work closely with Partners to shape client engagement strategies, including identifying key stakeholders, defining messaging, and determining desired outcomes
- Support clients across the full engagement lifecycle of government affairs mandates, from early-stage problem solving and strategy design through to implementation and follow-up activity
- Draft high-impact written materials, including briefings, correspondence, and engagement outputs for senior political and regulatory audiences
- Manage and drive forward stakeholder engagement programmes, ensuring timely execution and maintaining momentum
- Take ownership of the day-to-day management of client mandates, ensuring delivery is coordinated, deadlines are met, and outputs are aligned to client objectives
- Act as a key point of contact for clients, building trusted relationships and providing clear, commercially focused advice with increasing autonomy
- Play an active role in business development, including contributing to pitches, identifying opportunities, and supporting the growth and profile of the Government Affairs practice
- Train, mentor and support more junior advisors, contributing to talent development within the firm
About you
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of UK politics, policy and regulatory frameworks, with relevant professional experience gained in government, Parliament, a regulator, or a public affairs/advisory environment
- Having established networks across Whitehall would be an advantage
- Demonstrate well-developed analytical skills to assess political, policy and regulatory developments, translating these into clear, commercially focused insights and advice for clients
- Ability to communicate complex issues confidently and credibly, with experience engaging directly with senior stakeholders including policymakers, regulators, and clients
- Demonstrate experience supporting or leading stakeholder engagement strategies, including identifying target audiences, shaping messaging, and driving desired outcomes
- Build and maintain effective relationships both externally (e.g. Parliament, regulators, trade associations) and internally across multidisciplinary legal teams
- Show the ability to manage multiple workstreams independently, taking ownership of deliverables and ensuring high-quality execution in a fast-paced environment
- Contribute proactively to business development activity, including identifying opportunities, supporting pitches, and strengthening client relationships
- Demonstrate sound judgement, professionalism, and an understanding of the ethical and regulatory considerations relevant to government affairs and advocacy
About us
We're a global law firm helping our clients achieve their goals wherever they do business. Our pursuit of innovation has transformed our delivery of legal services. With offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, we deliver exceptional outcomes on cross-border projects, critical transactions and high-stakes disputes.
At DLA Piper, we understand that inclusion is not a one-size-fits-all concept. We embrace and celebrate the range of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences that each individual brings to our firm. By fostering a culture that welcomes and appreciates all aspects of our individuality, we ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
Our commitment to inclusion and positive social impact enables us to provide exceptional service to our clients and communities, while nurturing a unique and inclusive culture for all our people. We welcome the unique contribution that you will bring to our firm and actively encourage applications from all talented people – however your talent is packaged, whatever your background or circumstance and regardless of how you identify.
We are committed to being accessible and accommodating any reasonable adjustments needed throughout the recruitment process to ensure an inclusive experience for all. If you need any support or adjustments, please let us know.
Where local legislation permits, we will conduct relevant pre-engagement screening checks prior to your first day.