Policy and Public Affairs Manager

Key Purpose of the Role

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To lead DACS’ policy, advocacy and public affairs activity, protecting and strengthening the rights and royalties of visual artists. The postholder will develop and deliver an influencing strategy across Government, Parliament, regulators and the wider creative industries, with a focus on AI policy, copyright and the visual arts, ensuring DACS is recognised as a trusted voice and effective partner and that UK copyright is upheld to benefit creators, artists, their beneficiaries and rights-holders.

Key responsibilities

• Strategy, planning and leadership: Develop, deliver and refine DACS’ policy and public affairs strategy (annual plan, priorities and key messages), aligned to organisational objectives and risk management.
• Government, Parliament and regulatory engagement: Build and maintain relationships with MPs, Peers, officials, advisers, regulators and sector bodies; plan and deliver meetings, briefings, roundtables and parliamentary engagement (including APPGs where relevant).
• AI, copyright and creators’ rights: Lead DACS’ policy and influencing on AI as it impacts copyright, licensing and artists’ livelihoods (e.g. transparency, remuneration/licensing and enforcement). Work closely with Legal to ensure positions are accurate and actionable.
• Consultations, inquiries and evidence: Draft and quality-assure consultation responses, inquiry submissions, correspondence and evidence-based briefings for decision-makers and wider audiences.
• Campaigning and influence delivery: Design and deliver campaigning approaches to achieve priority outcomes. Work with the Communications & Engagement team to align policy, public affairs, press, digital and stakeholder communications.
• Stakeholder, coalition and sector working: Convene and collaborate with partners across the creative industries (e.g. collecting societies, trade bodies, artists’ groups and cultural organisations) to amplify shared priorities and coordinate joint action.
• Monitoring, insight and reporting: Lead horizon scanning and intelligence on political, legal and policy developments (including AI/copyright); share timely updates and coordinate responses. Provide succinct updates for senior colleagues and internal governance on progress, risks and opportunities.
• Team and people management: Jointly line manage the part-time Policy Officer with the Director of HR; set objectives, support development and ensure delivery against priorities. Manage budgets and external suppliers/consultants as required.
• Organisational contribution: Contribute to organisational planning and cross-team projects, helping maintain a clear and consistent DACS narrative on artists’ rights and royalties. Support or lead additional activities and duties commensurate with the role, as required.
• Supporting DACS’ international network: Support the organisations’ international engagement by providing briefings and information to assist the CEO and other Senior Leaders to help engage and maintain networks including sister societies.
• Systems, records and compliance: Maintain accurate records in CMS, Mailchimp and other systems, ensuring GDPR compliance.

Person specification

Essential

• Experience developing policy and advising on policy positions, including shaping clear narratives and key messages for internal and external audiences. Experience in co-ordinating public affairs and/or advocacy campaigns, including engaging with Parliament/Government and managing stakeholders. Experience drafting and quality-assuring consultation responses, inquiry submissions, evidence and briefings; able to translate complex issues into clear, persuasive recommendations. Knowledge of copyright and its legal frameworks in the UK. Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with Government, Parliament, regulators and relevant sector bodies, representing organisational positions credibly and constructively. Experience of developing and managing partnerships with external organisations (e.g. sector bodies and membership organisations), including agreeing shared objectives and coordinating delivery. Demonstrable experience of horizon scanning and political monitoring, providing timely briefings on risks, opportunities and recommended organisational responses. Strong working knowledge of UK AI policy and its implications for copyright (including the needs of creators, licensing and transparency). Experience working collaboratively across teams (and with external partners where appropriate) to align policy, public affairs and communications activity. Excellent writing skills: able to produce credible, persuasive briefings, submissions and correspondence for different audiences. Sound political judgement, strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment. A confident networker and relationship builder, able to represent DACS professionally with a range of stakeholders.

Desirable

• Experience working in or closely with the cultural/creative sector, a collecting society, a rights organisation, or a membership body. Experience of coalition working across organisations and coordinating joint policy positions/campaigns. Experience coordinating activity across teams and partner organisations, with an understanding of how All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) operate and how to engage them effectively. Experience of and confidence with speaking on panels, at conferences or other public platforms within industry or in the media. xwzovoh Line management experience.