External Affairs & Policy Manager - Scotland and Northern England

Why this job matters

Openreach, a wholly owned subsidiary of BT Group, builds and maintains the UK’s digital network, supporting homes, businesses, and public services. It serves over 680 communications providers and is focused on delivering faster, better, and more affordable connectivity.  

Despite rapid progress—our broadband network is Europe’s fastest-growing and the UK’s second-largest infrastructure project—support is needed to ensure nationwide access. Cebr estimates the rollout could boost the UK economy by £66 billion and return 600,000+ people to work by the next General Election.

The Corporate Affairs team manages Openreach’s reputation, with the External Affairs and Policy team specifically handling relationships with government and political stakeholders. Operating regionally, the team works to influence policy and ensure Openreach’s role as a vital national infrastructure provider is recognized and supported.

Openreach is seeking an External Affairs and Policy Manager to lead political engagement across Scotland and the North of England, based in Glasgow. The role supports the rollout of critical digital infrastructure, enabling better public services and unlocking AI potential.

Join our award-nominated team and help shape the UK’s digital future.

What you’ll be doing

You'll be working in a team of 4 in External Affairs and Policy who all cover different regions.  This is part of a wider team of 10 across the business.

Working across the the North England and Scotland, you'll operate in a combined capacity across policy and external affairs and have a real influence in how telecoms communications in Scotland work.

Some of your responsibilities will include:

• Daily stakeholder engagement with MPs, MSPs, Mayors, businesses, and interest groups.
• Content creation to support multi-channel relationship building alongside media relations.
• Policy management, addressing technical issues affecting Openreach.
• Horizon scanning and advising senior leaders on Scottish and regional developments.
• Parliamentary casework support, ensuring timely, accurate responses.
• Budget responsibility and oversight.
• Event delivery in Scotland to showcase Openreach’s impact.
• Collaboration with Regional Build and Contract teams to promote Openreach’s work with local authorities and devolved governments.

Skills and Experiences

You will have experience of working within Government functions in either a client / customer or direct nature.  We are looking for applicants from a similar sized business to Open Reach / BT, ie large corporates to understand the complexity of the company and role it plays.  Experience in the following would be required also:

• Public Affairs & Policy Experience - Previous experience in public affairs, policy, and/or campaigning is desirable.
• Relationship Building - Proven ability to build strong and effective relationships, ideally through roles in agencies, in-house teams, parliament, local authorities, or government departments.
• Agency Management - Experience managing relationships with external agencies.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Campaigning - Demonstrated success in using stakeholder engagement and campaigns to influence policy and support business objectives.
• Sector Knowledge - Understanding of the telecoms and/or infrastructure sectors is beneficial but not essential.
• Digital Campaigning - Familiarity with effective digital campaign strategies is advantageous.
• Political Insight - Excellent understanding of the political landscape and processes, particularly in Scotland.
• Communication Skills - Strong interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Ability to brief and accompany senior leaders to meetings or represent the organization at public events.
• Simplifying Complex Information - Ability to translate technical or detailed information into clear, accessible communications.
• Digital Communication Strategy - Experience driving digital communication efforts, including social media and blog content.
• Networking - Strong networking skills with the ability to leverage connections for organizational benefit.
• Regional Passion - Genuine enthusiasm and commitment to the region represented.
• Travel & Mobility - Willingness to travel extensively as required by the role, Possession of a full, clean UK driving license.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• 10% on target performance bonus
• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme if you pay in 5% BT will pay in an additional 10%
• Option to join the Healthcare Cash Plan or other benefits such as dental insurance, gym memberships etc.
• 50% off EE mobile pay monthly or SIM only plans
• Exclusive colleague discounts on our latest and greatest BT broadband packages
• BT TV, including TNT Sport and the NOW Entertainment membership, and 25% off NOW Sport, Cinema and Kids
• 50% discount for friends and family on EE SIM only plans
• World class training and development opportunities
• Volunteering days so you can give back to your local community

Our leadership standards

Looking in:
Leading inclusively and Safely
I inspire and build trust through self-awareness, honesty and integrity.
Owning outcomes
I take the right decisions that benefit the broader organisation.

Looking out:
Delivering for the customer
I execute brilliantly on clear priorities that add value to our customers and the wider business.
Commercially savvy
I demonstrate strong commercial focus, bringing an external perspective to decision-making.

Looking to the future:
Growth mindset
I experiment and identify opportunities for growth for both myself and the organisation.
Building for the future
I build diverse future-ready teams where all individuals can be at their best.