Public Affairs Consultant

Milltown Partners

Our clients operate at the frontiers of innovation - we advise technology companies driving change, global investors funding the future, the giants of sport and entertainment, and influential individuals on the communications and policy challenges that define their reputations. Our work spans corporate and financial communications, policy and public affairs to engage regulators and policymakers, policy communications and leadership communications. We underpin the full breadth of our capabilities with research-driven insights and campaigns. We're also pioneering AI-enhanced advisory work for both our clients and internal innovation, using technology to unlock insights from data at unprecedented scale and speed.

The role 

We're hiring at mid-level – Consultant and Senior Consultant – and we're open to hearing from candidates across that range.

Both roles sit at the driving force of our client work. You'll be a trusted adviser to technology companies navigating complex regulatory and political landscapes across the UK and Europe – shaping public affairs strategy, driving execution, and helping clients understand and influence the environment they operate in. The distinction between the two levels is one of autonomy and authority, as well as experience: Consultants work closely with project leadership to set direction and execute; Senior Consultants operate with greater independence, interrogate briefs more deeply, and are expected to push the quality of our work without being asked.

What both levels share is a particular kind of disposition. When you read out the latest frontier technologies, AI and investor trends, you don’t just absorb it - you think about how these stories are told and why some organisations define their reputations while others struggle to. You’re drawn to the complexity that sits behind the public understanding of tech regulation and legislation. You think forensically, extrapolate quickly, and make things land with parliamentarians, policymakers, and tech leaders alike. We want people who can demonstrate that, not just describe it.

What you'll do

Shape public affairs strategy

You'll work with your client and project leadership to set the strategic direction for client work — identifying how best to position clients, which policymakers and stakeholders matter most, and which channels will deliver results. You'll create integrated public affairs plans that guide execution and ensure every tactic ladders up to a clear strategic objective. You'll interrogate briefs and design research questions so that all advice is grounded in evidence and insight, not assumption.

Advise with strategic judgement

You'll provide recommendations directly to clients – in writing, in meetings, and in high-pressure moments when quick, sound judgement matters. You'll produce compelling written content and drive the execution of significant public affairs moments: major announcements, executive visits, select committee hearings, ministerial meetings, and more. You'll need to read widely, stay across government consultations, industry developments, and client challenges, and develop informed perspectives on complex issues including artificial intelligence, competition, data protection, and online safety.

Use AI to drive better outcomes

You'll use AI tools regularly in your daily work to improve the quality and efficiency of what you deliver. This means leveraging tools like Claude, Gemini, Factiva, Meltwater, and our internal AI Studio to conduct research, generate insights, and produce analysis at scale and speed. You'll contribute to how we share knowledge about AI across the team, including by experimenting with and implementing AI-powered workflows, and help ensure all outputs meet our quality standards.

Drive and deliver client work

You'll manage the work of junior colleagues, creating clear project plans, delegating effectively, and demonstrating the agility to ensure work is delivered on time and to a high standard. Getting things done well – and supporting others to do the same – is central to the role.

Contribute to business development

You'll understand how clients generate revenue and ensure our advice supports their business objectives. You'll contribute to how Milltown operates and thrives – whether that's improving team efficiency, identifying new ways to help clients, or using your expertise and network to unlock opportunities. Restlessness about finding better ways to work is part of our culture.

Build a collaborative environment

You'll give and receive feedback regularly, actively seek input from colleagues at all levels, and demonstrate allyship to everyone on the team. Creating an inclusive environment where brilliant work happens is everyone's responsibility.

What we're looking for

You'll bring a strong foundation in public affairs and the appetite to grow into a trusted adviser to some of the most influential technology organisations operating today.

Essential:

• 3–7 years of communications experience, ideally in consultancy, Parliament, government, a regulator, a think tank, or a policy team at a technology company. Consultants typically have 3–5 years; Senior Consultants typically have 5–7 years.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills — including the ability to write with clarity, creativity, and human voice, not just in formal advisory formats.
• Demonstrable engagement with political campaigning, party networks, or the wider political ecosystem beyond the formal day job — we want people who are genuinely politically curious and active, not only technically proficient.
• Demonstrable ability to take a strategic approach to public affairs challenges and opportunities.
• Understanding of the stakeholders who make up the UK political and policy landscape.
• Experience engaging directly with parliamentarians, civil servants, or regulators — including working knowledge of select committee processes, Westminster rhythms, and regulatory bodies such as Ofcom, the CMA, and the ICO.
• Experience developing public affairs strategies and driving stakeholder engagement.
• Active and regular use of AI tools (e.g. Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini) in a professional setting — this is an expectation of the role, not an optional extra.
• Project management experience — planning and delivering work against agreed goals, timelines, and budgets.
• Experience managing teams and delegating effectively.
• Intellectual curiosity to develop subject matter expertise in new topics and share that knowledge with colleagues.
• Collaborative instincts and a genuine commitment to contributing to an inclusive culture.
Desirable:
• Experience advising technology companies, or working in the institutions that create the rules that govern them.
• A consultancy background — candidates who have worked in agency environments will be familiar with the pace, client management expectations, and multi-client working that define this role.

Why join us

We're an independent, employee-owned firm, which means the people who work here share in our collective success. We operate across London, Brussels, San Francisco, New York, and Washington D.C., advising technology companies, global investors, iconic brands and influential individuals on the communications and policy challenges that define their reputations.

Our culture is built on five values: brilliance, restlessness, comradeship, inclusivity and integrity. We expect a lot from each other, but we also invest in each other—through honest feedback, shared learning and genuine care that goes beyond the work itself.

You'll have access to competitive pay with transparent salary bands, twice-yearly bonuses, professional development opportunities guided by our career framework and progression pathways, private healthcare, mental health support, 26 days holiday plus public holidays (outside of our annual Christmas break), and a hybrid working model (three days in the office: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday).

Salary bands: Consultant £46,000–£54,000 | Senior Consultant £58,000–£69,000

We're also serious about building a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace. We have measurable commitments around representation, inclusion, and supporting underrepresented communities through pro bono work. Creating an environment where everyone can thrive is central to how we operate.

Ready to apply?

If this sounds like the right place to progress your career, we'd love to hear from you. If your expectations sit somewhere in between or don't quite match our advertised bands, please don’t hesitate to reach out and we can have a conversation.