Purpose of the role
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and sitting on the Senior Leadership Team, the post-holder will set and deliver the Academy’s public affairs strategy: influencing policymakers, leading rapid-response and reputation building communications on behalf of creators, and strengthening the standing of the Academy and its members with Government, regulators, the wider creative sector and the public.
Operating across the UK, Europe and international markets, you will lead engagement with government ministers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, other UK parliamentarians, global regulators and industry coalitions, turning complex regulatory and political developments into decisive advocacy strategies that champion the craft and value of songwriting and composition. This is a high-profile role for a public affairs leader who combines sharp political judgement with authentic relationship-building, and who can unite diverse stakeholders, policymakers and allies around a shared goal.
Key responsibilities and core tasks
Strategic influence and creator advocacy
- Champion the value of the song and composition by overseeing and executing a proactive, global public affairs strategy that elevates the economic status, legal protection and cultural appreciation of songwriters and composers.
- Oversee the design and delivery of advocacy campaigns in response to significant policy developments in the UK and elsewhere, ensuring these reflect the voices and concerns of the diversity of Academy members and land with real impact.
- Lead the Academy’s policy positioning on critical creator issues, with particular focus on copyright, fair remuneration and responsible AI integration.
- Monitor political, legal and regulatory developments to anticipate risks, deliver rapid-response briefings and recommend clear strategic paths forward.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO, Chair, Board and Senate, briefing on emerging issues with clarity and pace.
Political engagement and government relations
- Build and maintain high-level relationships with ministers, MPs, peers, select committees, special advisers principally across Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, and the Intellectual Property Office (IPO).
- Build and maintain high-level relationships with ministers and parliamentarians in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and international policymakers.
- Lead the drafting of policy responses, consultation and parliamentary inquiry submissions, and drive international policy engagement that improves outcomes for songwriters and composers.
- Oversee a high-impact calendar of political engagement in and outside of the UK, including party-conference activity, parliamentary receptions, roundtables and summits.
- Support efforts to secure funding for policy, public-affairs, campaigning and research work as required.
Industry leadership
- Act as a representative and spokesperson for the Academy on policy matters, deputising at meetings of the UK Music Board and British Copyright Council, and in broader UK and international creative coalitions.
- Build and maintain a network of industry partners — to maximise the reach and impact of the Academy’s advocacy.
- Ensure the Academy actively contributes to and shapes the policy, public-affairs and campaigning work of allied industry organisations.
Research and internal collaboration
- Oversee the tracking of policy developments at national, European and global level that may affect songwriters, composers and the wider music and creative industries.
- Drive research initiatives, public polling and the collection of economic impact data to underpin policy asks with robust evidence.
- Oversee the Academy’s involvement in research being undertaken by industry partners to ensure the proper reflection/representation of composers and songwriters.
- Partner closely with the membership, and marketing and communications teams to translate policy positions into compelling public narratives and integrated advocacy campaigns.
- Provide strategic direction and line management to the policy team, and lead engagement with relevant external agencies and consultants.
- Support and advice Ethics Committee on general affairs impacting songwriters and composers
- Lead and shape the Senate and Councils agendas, and associated policy and public affairs updates and the roll out of these across The Ivors Academy’s website and other communication channels.
Requirements and skills
Essential
- Political acumen. Demonstrable experience developing and leading public affairs, government relations, policy and campaign initiatives within the music, creative or intellectual property sectors, ideally for a non-profit or membership-based organisation.
- Strategic communications. An exceptional campaigner and communicator, able to draft detailed submissions and to distil complex legal and technical issues into sharp, persuasive messaging for politicians, media and the general public.
- Relationship management. Established, high-level networks across UK governments, parliaments, EU institutions and other international policy bodies, with the credibility to build new relationships at the most senior levels.
- Leadership experience. Experience managing cross-functional teams and external agencies, and advising C-suite leadership through fast-moving policy developments.
- Judgement under pressure. Track record of leading on sensitive, high-profile or contested issues with discretion, sound judgement and an instinct for political risk.
- Sector understanding. Understanding of the music industry or a comparable creative or other intellectual property sector, and a strong desire to advocate for and champion creators’ rights.
- Values and inclusion. An inclusive, collaborative leadership style and a commitment to building a more diverse and equitable music industry.
Desirable
- Understanding of copyright law, licensing frameworks, digital rights management and related legal considerations, as well as the policy challenges facing modern songwriters and composers.
- Experience of a trade body, membership organisation or coalition environment, where progress depends on building consensus among members with different interests.
- Prior service within government, parliament or a regulator, or in senior public affairs roles in adjacent regulated sectors (e.g. other creative industries, tech, broadcasting, IP-intensive industries).
- Familiarity with international and EU policy landscapes affecting copyright, trade and the digital economy.
What we offer
- A competitive salary, reflective of a senior leadership role.
- Hybrid working from our central London office, with the flexibility expected.
- Generous annual leave, rising with service, and enhanced family-leave policies.
- Pension contribution and employee assistance programme.
- The opportunity to shape policy that affects every songwriter and composer globally.
Application process
Please submit your CV and a cover letter detailing how your experience meets our requirements, your salary and hours expectation to [email protected] by end of day, Sunday 13 September 2026.
We welcome all qualified applicants, including those available to start immediately. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
The Ivors Academy is committed to building a workforce, and a leadership team, that reflects the diversity of the UK’s songwriters and composers, and of the country we serve. We know that a wider range of voices, experiences and backgrounds makes us better at our jobs and stronger as an organisation.
We particularly welcome applications from people from communities that are currently under-represented at senior levels in the music industry, including people of colour, disabled people, people from lower socio-economic backgrounds and LGBTQ+ people. All applications are considered on merit, without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status.
