Government Relations Lead

Rowden • London, CA

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

Rowden is a UK-headquartered industrial technology company that builds operational edge systems by combining hardware, software, and systems engineering for frontline organisations and critical industries. The Government Relations Lead will lead the company’s government affairs activity, helping shape its policy and regulatory environment, strengthen relationships across government, and support growth in the UK and internationally.

The role provides political intelligence and advice to senior leadership on developments across HMG, Parliament, and the wider policy environment, with a focus on how defence procurement, industrial policy, export controls, and regulation affect the business. The postholder will learn Rowden’s technology, capabilities, and programmes by working closely with commercial, delivery, engineering, and product teams, then use that understanding to guide targeted engagement and commercial decisions.

The role involves building relationships with government, parliamentary, trade, and diplomatic stakeholders; assessing overseas markets and routes to entry; producing policy papers, submissions, briefings, and correspondence; and preparing senior leaders for government engagements. Candidates must be eligible for SC clearance.

Requirements

• Strong government affairs experience in government relations, public policy, Parliament, or a related field, with a track record of developing engagement strategies and building relationships with government and political stakeholders.
• Understanding of how government works, how policy affects business, and where an organisation can credibly influence outcomes.
• Experience advising senior decision-makers and turning complex issues into clear recommendations.
• Ability to learn complex engineering and programme detail quickly and translate it into effective recommendations and actions.
• Exceptional writing and analytical skills, including the ability to research unfamiliar issues, evaluate evidence, develop reasoned positions, and produce compelling briefings and papers for senior audiences.
• Initiative and independence, including staying informed, anticipating developments, taking ownership, managing competing priorities, and challenging assumptions when appropriate.
• Credibility and humility when engaging senior officials and industry leaders; ability to listen, respect others’ expertise, and focus on outcomes.
• Eligibility for SC clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in defence, national security, technology, industrial policy, or another highly regulated sector.
• Experience with government procurement, export controls, international trade, or market access.
• Experience with diplomatic networks, overseas trade teams, or international government engagement.
• Experience preparing parliamentary evidence, government consultation responses, or policy submissions.

Responsibilities

• Build an in-depth understanding of Rowden’s capabilities and programmes by working with commercial, delivery, engineering, and product teams, and translate this into an evidence-led engagement plan aligned with pipeline and delivery priorities.
• Identify and build relationships with officials, relevant MPs, mayors, select committee members, and trade bodies whose responsibilities align with business priorities.
• Anticipate political, policy, and regulatory developments that could affect Rowden, and provide senior leadership with timely analysis, commercial implications, and recommendations.
• Identify opportunities to influence policy discussions by contributing evidence and practical recommendations based on Rowden’s engineering and operational delivery experience.
• Represent Rowden at parliamentary hearings, government events, and industry forums when there is a clear strategic purpose.
• Assess priority international markets, including procurement pathways, regulatory barriers, and potential partners, and develop evidence-based recommendations on investment and market entry.
• Build relationships with UK trade advisers, British embassies and High Commissions, defence attachés, and overseas government stakeholders to improve market access and support international growth.
• Write policy papers, parliamentary submissions, government briefings, and correspondence that advance Rowden’s positions.
• Prepare senior leadership for government engagements with clear objectives, researched briefings, and effective follow-through.
• Support corporate presentations and other materials for senior government and industry audiences.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements, including a typically flexible hybrid-working model averaging three days in the office each week, dependent on the role.
• The opportunity to discuss part-time working requirements and workplace adjustments.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed