Public affairs consultant (lobbyist): job description

Last updated: 25 Jan 2023, 13:39

Public affairs consultants provide clients with political and public policy advice that has been gained via personal contacts, political intelligence and from a wide range of media sources.

Overhead view of a person working on a laptop, typing on the keyboard.

Monitoring and tracking information forms a large part of a public affairs consultant's job.

What does a lobbyist do? Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills

Typical responsibilities of the job include:

  • designing, writing and producing press releases, articles, leaflets, newsletters and reports
  • organising meetings
  • attending events such as party conferences and select committee hearings
  • analysing information sources produced by the European Commission, government departments, Hansard, non-government organisations (NGOs) and think tanks
  • providing clients with information about developments in their field
  • responding to information requests
  • offering strategic advice to clients
  • communicating with relevant official bodies
  • liaising with civil servants, politicians, regulatory body and local authority staff

Typical employers of lobbyists

  • Independent consultancies
  • Large public relations firms
  • Communications companies
  • Small specialist consultancies

Opportunities are advertised on targetjobs, by careers services, by specialist recruitment agencies, in national newspapers and in publications such as PR Week , New Statesman , The House , Electus and their respective websites. The Chartered Institute of Public Relations publishes lists of voluntary placements and salaried graduate training schemes with larger PR agencies.

Qualifications and training required

There are routes into public affairs consultancy for both university graduates and school leavers.

Although any discipline is acceptable, a degree in public relations, politics, government, public administration, social policy, business studies, management, languages or law might be particularly beneficial. Many entrants also hold postgraduate qualifications in politics, public relations or government.

Relevant work experience prior to entry is essential.

Key skills for lobbyists

  • Good research skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Initiative
  • Diplomacy
  • Discretion
  • Enthusiasm

Next: search graduate jobs

targetjobs editorial advice

This describes editorially independent and impartial content, which has been written and edited by the targetjobs content team. Any external contributors featuring in the article are in line with our non-advertorial policy, by which we mean that we do not promote one organisation over another.

People reading this also searched for roles in these areas:

undefined background image

We've got you

Get the latest jobs, internships, careers advice, courses and graduate events based on what's important to you. Start connecting directly with top employers today.