29:06:2026:

Job Title: Head of Policy and Public Affairs

Location: Based in Central London with hybrid options

Salary Range: £60K

Reports to: Director of Campaigns and Engagement

Line Management Responsibilities: 1 x direct report – Public Affairs Officer

Duration: Permanent

Hours: Full-Time Role (40 hours per week/ some flexible evenings and weekend hours)

Introduction

Established in 2008, UK Music is the collective voice of the UK’s world-leading music industry. The music industry is big business: according to the most recent figures from UK Music’s leading economic report, This Is Music 2025, the sector employs over 220,000 people, generated £4.8 billion in exports, and contributed £8 billion to the UK economy.

UK Music represents all sectors of the music industry – bringing them together to collaborate, campaign, and champion music. Industry leaders value the space we provide to share ideas, concerns and goals, and trust us to speak authoritatively on their behalf. Policymakers, stakeholders and influencers who want to understand the music industry come to us for a clear, objective picture of how they can best serve the collective interests of our members. We amplify our members’ voices across a range of shared issues, and we promote the music industry as a key national asset to central, devolved, and local governments and Parliaments.

Our work to deliver on this mission focuses on the following areas:

• UK Music provides a platform for music industry leaders to share ideas, concerns and goals that allow us to speak on their behalf with an authoritative voice.
• UK Music guides policy-makers towards decision-making in the best collective interests of our membership, now and for the future.
• UK Music amplifies the voice of its member organisations, consistent with the collective interest, increasing and supporting their political access.
• UK Music undertakes and publishes research on the economic and social value of music, acting as a resource for its membership and policymakers.
• UK Music promotes the music industry as a key national asset to central, devolved and local governments and Parliaments, as well as other relevant policymakers, stakeholders and influencers.
• UK Music advocates for copyright and related rights, which underpin music, to be recognised and valued at all levels of the UK government, throughout the wider economy and by consumers.
• UK Music supports and encourages initiatives to grow the music industry’s diverse talent pipeline and nurture the development of our future workforce.
• UK Music works to boost diversity, inclusion, and intersectionality in the music industry through a data-driven approach and supporting its members’ initiatives.

Role Overview

Reporting to the Director of Campaigns and Engagement, the Head of Policy and Public Affairs will lead on the development and execution of UK Music’s policy and public affairs strategy and be responsible for effective political engagement with government officials, policymakers and key regulatory bodies. As part of the Policy and Public Affairs team, this role will be central to developing policy positions in partnership with UK Music members and to communicate them effectively to influential stakeholders via briefings, submissions and targeted interventions. The Head of Policy and Public Affairs will line-manage the Public Affairs Officer, maintaining a high standard of insight and understanding of the UK government and policy landscape, thereby strategically advancing our members’ collective best interests and political access.

Role Profile

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The key duties and responsibilities of the Head of Policy and Public Affairs role include, but are not limited to, the following.

• Lead on the strategic development and implementation of UK Music’s Policy and Public Affairs strategy.
• Ensure Ministers, MPs, Peers, Special Advisers and key civil servants are kept informed of key developments and issues of concern for the music industry.
• Lead the Secretariat to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Music.
• Lead on the organisation and execution of UK Music’s programme of political meetings, events, dinners and receptions, including extensive party conference activity.
• Lead the drafting of compelling UK Music submissions to public consultations and parliamentary enquiries.
• Provide effective line management for the Public Affairs officer.
• Identify creative and ingenious ways, including public polling and other research initiatives, for UK Music to engage proactively with political opportunities and processes.
• Lead on the development and maintenance of accurate and up-to-date policy briefings covering UK Music’s policy areas.
• Work collaboratively with the Communications team and the Director of Campaigns and Engagement to ensure policy positions are integrated into campaigns and wider external communications activities.
• Manage and maintain a key stakeholder database, work to build, nurture and broaden the organisation’s networks across society and public life.
• Ensure all UK Music committees are provided with policy and public affairs guidance and support in conjunction with the Public Affairs Officer and UK Music colleagues.

Personal Specification

Experience and Knowledge

• Significant experience working in a political environment in a trade body, trade union, think tank, Parliament, or Government that includes engagement with central, devolved, and local governments and Parliaments
• Demonstrable understanding of government processes, legislative procedures, and the broader political landscape.
• Strong networks in the political sphere.
• An understanding of the music industry or a similar creative sector, areas of concern in relation to government policies.
• A track record of influencing public policy and managing critical stakeholder relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to distil complex issues and able to work quickly and accurately to deadlines.
• Experience in drafting policy papers/briefing or submissions is essential.
• Excellent organisational skills, self-management and the ability to juggle multiple projects at the same time are vital.
• Enthusiasm for music is essential.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience of holding a leadership role (e.g., Manager or Head of) within a public affairs, policy or political environment.
• Networks and experience within the creative industries.

Skills Required

• Excellent oral, written and presentation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Strong analytical faculties and ability to make judgements based on competing evidence.
• Confident in using a range of research materials and actively seeking new sources of information and data.
• Ability to prioritise project workloads and to meet deadlines.
• Collegiate approach to teamwork with the ability to muck in.
• Strong project, event management and organisational skills.
• Ability to take the initiative.
• Strong IT skills – including Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft 365 Applications; Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams.

Company Benefits

• Hybrid working
• Pension – Employee contribution of 6%, which the company will then pay 9% (max contribution)
• Annual leave 25 days, plus Bank Holidays
• Extra holiday entitlement for the Christmas & New Year shutdown period
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave
• Company Sick Pay
• Specsavers free eye test and contribution to prescription glasses
• Cyclescheme – salary sacrifice benefit
• Travel Card Loan
• Birthday Voucher

How to apply

Please email a copy of your CV, a cover letter (not more than two pages) setting out how you meet the requirements outlined in the personal specification section and a completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring form to Recruitment@ukmusic.org.

We recognise that candidates may not be able to meet all the listed requirements, and at this stage, it is not essential to meet all the requirements.

The recruitment process for this role will consist of two stages. The first interview will be conducted virtually with a panel. The second interview is anticipated to be in person at a Central London location. Selected candidates will be asked to complete a role-related task.

If you would like an informal discussion about any aspect of the role or the application process, or require reasonable adjustments during the application and selection process, please contact Stephanie Haughton-Campbell, Chief Operating Officer, at stephanie.haughton-campbell@ukmusic.org.

Download the Equal Opportunities Monitoring form here.

Closing date: Monday 15th June 2026

First online interviews: mid June 2026

UK Music is working to build a diverse and inclusive team and is committed to broadening the industry’s diversity. We welcome applications irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, neurodiversity, or other personal circumstances. We are particularly keen to hear from those currently under-represented in the sector. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.