Senior External Affairs Manager
Likely
Sponsorship likelihood
This employer has issued visas recently
Not disclosed
Salary
Not disclosed by employer
£41,700
Going rate
Skilled Worker going rate
This role likely qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 2493 (97% match) is an eligible occupation, with a going rate of £41,700, and VMA Group is a licensed sponsor. That is our reading of the rules. Whether they issue a Certificate of Sponsorship is still their call.
New graduate or PhD holder? Pick one of the lower rates.
What each route needs for this job
| Occupation code | New entrant 70% of going rate | STEM PhD 80% of going rate | Relevant PhD 90% of going rate | Standard rate 100% of going rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2493 Public relations professionals Most likely code | £33,400 | £33,400 | £37,500 | £41,700 |
We use the lowest threshold across the plausible codes. Likelihood is Possible at most when the pay clears only a lower rate, or only under a less likely code. How the Home Office picks the code
About the role
Senior External Affairs Manager – Northern Ireland, at Exchange for Change
VMA Group is excited to partner with Exchange for Change to find a highly skilled Senior External Affairs Manager – Northern Ireland, to shape and deliver high-impact public affairs, industry engagement programmes and campaigns to raise awareness of, and engagement with, the new UK deposit return scheme (DRS) for single-use drinks containers.
Exchange For Change is the industry-led organisation appointed by the UK governments to design, build and operate the DRS. Launching on 1 October 2027, the UK’s DRS will the largest DRS in the world and one of the UK’s most ambitious environmental infrastructure programmes.
This is a unique opportunity to help shape communications and engagement for a nationally significant environmental initiative that will transform recycling across the whole of the UK.
📍 Hybrid: 60/40 split – Belfast/remote | 🕒 Full‑time, Permanent | Competitive Salary
The role:
Reporting to the Head of External Affairs you will collaborate closely with peers with similar remits in England, Scotland and Wales, as well as wider teams across the organisation, to raise the reputation and profile of Exchange for Change and the implementation of the DRS across Northern Ireland.
What we're looking for:
- Proven experience in public affairs, policy, communications or stakeholder engagement.
- Strong understanding of the Northern Irish political system and policy landscape.
- Strong relationships with government, industry, and external stakeholders in relevant sectors to DRS.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence and represent an organisation effectively.
- Experience developing engagement strategies and building advocacy networks.
- Strong policy, briefing, and consultation response-writing skills.
Why join?
If you're an experienced external affairs professional looking for a role with real purpose and impact, we'd love to hear from you.
For more information please email your CV to [email protected]
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with VMA Group, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
Public relations professionals (SOC 2493) · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · basic pay · ~38k in sample- Middle half £31,772–47,840
- Median £38,688
- Going rate £41,700
- Threshold £41,700
Similar sponsored roles
See all UK visa jobs- Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom12 Oct
Engaged Research and Impact Manager
QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY OF BELFAST FOUNDATION -THE · Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
- Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom29 Sept
Senior or Principal Stakeholder Engagement Consultant
STANTEC UK LIMITED · Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
- Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom17 Sept
Senior Executive Communications Manager - UKI BMC - Permanent - London
FRANK HIRTH LIMITED · Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
- Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom17 Sept
Senior Leadership Communications Manager - BMC UKI - Permanent - UK Wide
FRANK HIRTH LIMITED · Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
- Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom17 Sept
External Communications Executive
Allen Overy Shearman Sterling Service Company Limited · Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
About sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. VMA Group holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 2493 going rate of £41,700. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.