Government Relations Manager - UK, Nordics and Benelux
Leads government relations and public policy strategy across the UK, Nordics, and Benelux, building senior stakeholder relationships and supporting defence-market growth. Requires 8–10 years of relevant experience, strong UK government knowledge, and expertise in defence, technology, or related policy environments.
About the job
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute a government relations strategy for the UK, Nordics, and Benelux aligned with regional growth priorities.
- Build and maintain relationships with ministries of defence, procurement organisations, parliamentary and civil service contacts, export-control and regulatory stakeholders, defence customers, trade bodies, and strategic partners.
- Monitor, analyse, and communicate policy, budget, procurement, industrial, and geopolitical developments affecting business, market access, and partnerships.
- Advise senior stakeholders on political dynamics, public policy shifts, and defence modernisation priorities related to autonomous systems, AI, aviation, and defence innovation.
- Support market-entry and capture efforts, including strategic opportunities, customer meetings, visits, and senior-level briefings.
- Coordinate responses to public consultations, policy engagements, trade association initiatives, and thought-leadership opportunities.
- Prepare briefing notes, position papers, stakeholder maps, and executive-ready materials.
- Represent the company with policymakers, industry groups, think tanks, and trade associations.
- Partner with business development, legal, communications, product, and leadership teams to align policy positioning with commercial goals and responsible deployment of autonomy technologies.
- Identify and manage risks related to regulation, export controls, procurement frameworks, national security review processes, and public-affairs issues.
Requirements
- 8–10 years of experience in government relations, public affairs, defence policy, parliamentary affairs, strategic communications, business development, or a closely related field.
- Experience in technology, defence, aerospace, security, dual-use sectors, or relevant public-sector roles.
- Strong understanding of UK government and parliamentary processes, including Whitehall and Westminster decision-making relevant to defence and security.
- Experience engaging senior stakeholders across government, industry, and trade associations.
- Strong knowledge of legislative, regulatory, and policy processes, with the ability to turn developments into business recommendations.
- Experience drafting briefings, policy materials, and executive communications for senior audiences.
- Ability to operate across multiple markets and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience working in or with the UK Ministry of Defence, armed forces, Parliament, defence primes, defence technology companies, trade associations, or relevant think tanks.
- Familiarity with procurement environments and defence-industrial ecosystems across Nordic or Benelux markets.
- Understanding of autonomy, AI, uncrewed systems, aerospace, or defence innovation policy.
- Experience supporting campaigns tied to business opportunities, strategic partnerships, or market-shaping initiatives.
- Degree in politics, international relations, public policy, law, business, security studies, or a related field.
Skills
Government Relations, Public Affairs, Defence Policy, Parliamentary Affairs, Strategic Communications, Business Development, Policy Analysis, Stakeholder Management, Export Controls, Procurement, Regulatory Affairs, Public Policy, Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous Systems, Aerospace
Similar jobs
Business Development jobs
Anthropic
London, United Kingdom
Leads power procurement, utility relationships, and regulatory strategy to secure large-scale energy capacity for AI data-center infrastructure across European markets. The role requires 15+ years of experience in energy markets and infrastructure, including experience securing 100+ MW and navigating complex grid connections.
Stripe
London, United Kingdom
Build and lead Stripe’s UK public sector go-to-market motion, developing strategy, senior government relationships, procurement pathways, partnerships, and scalable operating capabilities. The role requires substantial UK public sector experience and cross-functional leadership across commercial, product, legal, risk, and operations teams.
Decagon
London, United Kingdom
Drives Decagon’s European expansion by building executive relationships, strategic partnerships, and enterprise opportunities across DACH. The role works closely with founders and senior leaders and requires 8+ years of strategic growth or enterprise GTM experience, German proficiency, executive presence, and strong commercial judgment.
HappyRobot
San Francisco, CADevelop strategic relationships, introductions, and executive networks to expand access to key enterprise accounts and generate measurable pipeline impact. The role requires 5+ years of experience across finance, consulting, law, growth, GTM, or business development, plus a credible senior network and strong analytical judgment.
Pigment
London, United Kingdom
Manages and develops inbound and outbound BDR teams, driving qualified pipeline, quota attainment, hiring, training, and performance reporting. Requires direct SDR/BDR management, quota-carrying experience, strong sales-tool expertise, and a metrics-driven leadership style.