Department: Corporate Affairs

Reporting to: Head of External Affairs

Grade: 11

Salary: £28,670 per annum

Working pattern: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week.

Occasional evening work required (approximately four evenings per year)

Base: Walsingham House, London

Closing date: 19th August 2026 (We may close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received ahead of the closing date)

Interview date: 1st September 2026

Who we are:

We are the UK’s biggest port, central to the country’s economy and ambitions for growth. We connect the UK to the world, but we are much more than a conventional port.

We are driven by our purpose to protect and improve the 95 mile stretch of the River Thames which is tidal – from Teddington Lock on the border of Surrey, through the heart of London, Kent, Essex and out to the North Sea.

The role:

This role forms an important part of the PLA’s External Affairs team, which leads the organisation’s engagement with stakeholders across politics, policy, industry and local government. You will help monitor political and stakeholder developments, support engagement activity, and contribute to building the PLA’s reputation as a trusted and influential organisation. Working closely with colleagues, you will support stakeholder intelligence, relationship management and engagement activity that underpins the PLA’s strategic objectives and the Thames Vision 2050. The role provides the opportunity to work directly with stakeholders, support high‑profile engagement, and contribute to the PLA’s wider external affairs work.

Key responsibilities:

· Supporting external engagement including stakeholder meetings, visits and events.

· Responding to external stakeholder enquiries and helping coordinate timely and professional communication.

· Monitoring stakeholder and political developments using a variety of platforms and tools to identify policy, political and stakeholder issues relevant to the PLA.

· Drafting stakeholder‑focused materials including first drafts of correspondence, casework responses, briefing materials, speeches, presentations and other content for internal and external audiences.

· Building and maintaining stakeholder records and acting as a CRM super user.

· Contributing to stakeholder mapping and intelligence, supporting reporting on engagement activity and progress against the Thames Vision 2050.

· Supporting positive stakeholder relationships across key audiences.

· Assisting with sensitive stakeholder issues, escalating risks appropriately and supporting responses and briefing materials.

· Undertaking any other duties as required commensurate with the role and responsibilities of the post.

What we are looking for:

· Relevant degree or equivalent experience, in politics, public affairs, communications or public policy.

· Previous experience in stakeholder engagement, public affairs, external affairs, communications or a related environment.

· Experience working with or supporting engagement with politicians is desirable.

· Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear and accurate briefing materials, correspondence and stakeholder communications.

· Confident verbal communicator, comfortable engaging with a range of audiences.

· Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.

· Ability to translate complex issues into clear summaries.

· Confidence and good judgement when handling external enquiries and potentially sensitive stakeholder issues.

· Curious, proactive and willing to learn.

· Familiarity with Westminster, the GLA and/or local government would be advantageous.

· Strong attention to detail.

· Behaviours in line with the PLA’s Behavioural Framework: Do the Right Thing, Always Improving, One Team.

In return, we offer a competitive benefits package:

· 28 days annual leave (plus Bank Holidays)

· Medical Cash Plan (Westfield Health)

· Generous pension - up to 14% employer contribution

· Employee Assistance Programme and access to Wellbeing Resources

· Discounted gym memberships and cycle to work scheme

· Salary sacrifice car scheme (Tusker Cars)

· Reward and recognition portal, with access to a range of discounts

For further information or if you would like to have an informal discussion about the position, please contact Poppy Windsor, Head of External Affairs at poppy.windsor@pla.co.uk

For further information about the role, please view the full job description here

The PLA are not registered with the UK Home Office and do not sponsor candidates who require a visa or work permit to work in the UK, therefore an offer of employment cannot be made unless you currently hold the rights to live and work in the UK.