BPI represents the UK’s recorded music industry, which is one of the most exciting and thriving music sectors in the world. As a trade body, we champion the interests of our membership which includes 500 SME independent music companies and the three largest record companies, Sony Music Entertainment UK, Universal Music UK and Warner Music UK. Our members account for more than 85% of all recorded music consumed in the UK.

BPI owns and organises the annual BRIT Awards with Mastercard and the Mercury Prize with FREENOW. We co-own the Official Charts and administer the Music Export Growth Scheme, which is joint funded by industry and government. Through our charity arm, the BRIT Trust, BPI supports a range of music related charities and organisations, with the biggest benefactor being the BRIT School, a state school in Croydon focusing on music and the performing arts. In 2023, our bid to open a new specialist creative school in Bradford was approved.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Public Affairs team which works across a wide range of policy spaces, including supporting exports and global trade, copyright and intellectual property, tech and innovation and education. The successful candidate will work directly to the Head of Public Affairs, as well as BPI’s Chief Strategy Officer and closely with the communications team. The Public Affairs team sits within a wider grouping within BPI which is focused on strategy and member services.

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Support the work of the public affairs team to keep across, and make effective contributions to Government, Parliament and other relevant bodies across a wide range of policy issues
  • Provide regular monitoring of policy and regulatory developments – including upcoming debates, questions and consultations
  • Provide briefings on policy issues, for example for Parliamentary debates and stakeholder meetings
  • Contribute to consultation responses, including writing summaries, conducting research and drafting submissions
  • Contribute to written communications to members or wider external stakeholders
  • Identify and maintain an up-to-date stakeholder map and engagement plan for public affairs and other senior colleagues; for meetings as well as for our major music events.
  • Provide assistance on policy-related questions from BPI members
  • Attendance at meetings and events when appropriate as a representative of the BPI; developing your own policy network of contacts on behalf of the BPI across Westminster and Whitehall
  • Ad hoc assistance to other colleagues whose work intersects with the public affairs agenda, as necessary
 

IDEAL EXPERIENCE

  • Good working knowledge of the policy and political landscape in the UK
  • Experience working in a policy, regulatory or public affairs field – whether in house, agency, Parliament or think tank (or other)
  • Experience will ideally include research and compiling written reports, submissions and briefings, as well as interacting with policy makers.

 

KEY SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

  • Outstanding written and oral communication skills
  • Ability to absorb and analysis complex issues and distill these into compelling communications and briefing materials
  • Strong understanding of the UK policy landscape, including how the policy and legislative process works; understanding of key stakeholders and able to devise effective engagement strategies
  • Ability to juggle competing demands, with multiple projects running simultaneously
  • Flexibility - trade associations are fast-paced environments where you may have to turn your hand to new tasks and contribute across the organisation
  • A love of music!

 

The BPI welcomes applications from suitably qualified candidates of all social backgrounds, including across all genders, ethnicities, and those who identify as disabled or from neurodiverse backgrounds.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

  • Salary of £30,000 - £35,000 depending on experience
  • Performance-related bonus
  • 3 days of personal volunteering time per annum
  • Private Medical Insurance
  • Permanent Health Insurance
  • Life insurance
  • A hybrid work environment with flexible working policies
  • 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES & DIVERSITY

The BPI is an equal opportunity employer. We actively encourage the best possible candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, race, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or political belief. We believe that representation matters and are passionate about developing a diverse workforce at all levels of the organisation. We warmly encourage applications from historically under-represented groups, including but not limited to; candidates from Black, Asian or ethnic minority backgrounds; members of the LGBTQIA+ community; people who identify as non-binary or gender nonconforming; people with a disability; and people who are neurodivergent. Decision to appoint will be made solely based on candidate merit and business need.

We welcome applications from Deaf and disabled people. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation during the process of application and selection, please do not hesitate to let us know when applying. Reasonable adjustments include, but are not limited to, extra time during tasks, using a different video conferencing application, providing a British Sign Language interpreter or holding the interview at a specific time of day.

APPLICATION PROCESS
We know that applying for a new job can be full of uncertainties and we look to provide upfront information where possible. Our process for recruiting this role will be made of four stages and after each stage, we’ll contact you as soon as we can to let you know if you will be progressing to the next stage.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 3 March, 2024

Stage 1

Submit a CV and cover letter each totalling no more than one side of A4. These will be considered on a name-blind by our recruiters. Following your application, you will receive a link to our Equal Opportunities Monitoring form. You may be invited to a pre-screening call with our recruiters. Calls will take place on a rolling basis between Monday 12 February and Friday 8 March 2024.
 

Stage 2

45-minute virtual interview with the Head of Public Affairs and a member of BPI’s Legal Team to be held the week commencing 11 March 2024. Interviews can be scheduled flexibly if needed but primary availability is Thursday 14 March 2024.
 

Stage 3

A practical task will be set for stage 3 candidates by COP Friday 15 March 2024. This should take no longer than 1 hour to be complete at home and should be submitted by midday on Tuesday 19 March 2024.
45-minute in-person interview with the Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Public Affairs to be held the week commencing 18 March 2024. Interviews can be scheduled flexibly if needed but primary availability is Wednesday 20 March 2024.
 

Stage 4

Job offer, subject to references and right to work check.