Wales Director
Salary: £80,000k + £7,150k car allowance
Type: Perm
Location: Cardiff (Hybrid)
Closing date: 16th Sept
Process: CV and Cover Letter
About the CBI
We serve as the catalyst between industry and government to drive positive change, speaking for businesses of all sizes and sectors across the whole economy, in every UK region and nation, ensuring sustainable growth for the benefit of society. Our voice represents 170,000 businesses. This includes over 1,100 corporate members, plus nearly 150 trade associations. Our corporate members alone employ over 2.3 million private sector workers.
Role Summary
As the CBI Wales Director, you will play a crucial role in shaping and advocating for the business agenda in Wales, influencing key stakeholders, and driving economic growth in the country.
Reporting into the Executive Committee the Wales Director serves as the primary contact for businesses operating in Wales, playing a pivotal role in guaranteeing that the CBI accurately reflects the diversity and richness of the business community. Additionally, they will function as the foremost external ambassador of the CBI in Wales, wielding significant influence in shaping the policy landscape.
If you possess a keen interest in political and current affairs, coupled with a passion for business, and possess the authoritative voice and commercial acumen needed to represent the foremost business leaders in Wales, we invite you to join the UK’s leading business membership organisation and contribute to our mission of enhancing the business environment with the overarching goal of fostering prosperity for all.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and implement the strategic vision for CBI Wales in alignment with the overall CBI objectives
- Provide effective leadership to the CBI Wales team, ensuring alignment with UK and devolved goals
- As a key member of the CBI leadership team, contribute actively to drive the overall success of the organisation, providing essential support to the executive team for a cohesive and effective leadership structure
- Represent and champion the CBI Values and CBI Behaviours in all practices, and encourage the same from your team and internal stakeholders, contributing towards building and maintaining a strong CBI culture.
Advocacy and Representation
- Act as the primary spokesperson for CBI Wales, representing the organisation in interactions with senior political figures in both the UK and Welsh governments, government officials, stakeholders such as Enterprise Agencies, business leaders, and the media
- Represent the CBI at key events, on committees and working groups ensuring that the CBI has a real impact
- As part of our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment, the Director will actively work to ensure diverse representation with the CBI membership, committees, panels and working groups
Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials, industry leaders, and representatives from the wider community such as from the Embassies and Consulates
- Build and maintain strong relationships with all the main political parties operating in Wales
- Collaborate with CBI members to understand their concerns and priorities, ensuring effective representation
Policy Development
- Lead the development of policy positions that reflect the interests of CBI members in Wales
- Work closely with CBI Policy, Economics and Public Affairs to contribute to and develop national and devolved policy initiatives
- Be responsible for the development and publication of the budget submission from CBI Wales, Programme for Government submission, manifestos, and consultation responses, among other key documents.
Member Engagement
- • Foster a strong and engaged membership base, ensuring regular communication, events, and activities that add value to the CBI members in Wales.
- Develop a strong partnership with the CBI Wales Chair and Vice Chair, while strategically nurturing a successful pipeline of prospective candidates for future leadership
- Maintain the standing of the CBI Wales Council as a prestigious and sought-after platform that attracts C-suite executives, and represents the best in Welsh businesses
- Organising the annual lunch and dinner with a track record of success, these events stand out as premier gatherings for the Welsh and UK business community.
- Address member concerns and feedback, acting as a liaison between members and the broader organisation
- As an important part of CBI’s commercial management team, contribute to CBI corporate objectives, values and organisational strategy
Commercial Responsibilities
- Drive member retention strategies to ensure a strong and enduring relationship with existing members
- Spearhead initiatives for expanding the membership base, aligning with the business landscape in Wales
- Create and curate compelling sponsorship opportunities that offer mutually beneficial engagements for partners
- Leverage market insights and industry trends to formulate attractive sponsorship packages
- Innovate to enhance the financial sustainability and influence of CBI Wales within the business community
- Collaborate with the CBI Economics team to contribute to the development of their commercial pipeline
Knowledge & Experience
- Possess relevant degree/professional qualification or equivalent
- Demonstrate experience in managing relationships with the most senior business leaders in a relationship/customer management function
- Showcase experience in engaging with elected representatives, senior civil servants, and handling interactions with local and national media across various platforms
- Display a significant understanding of the economic, social and diverse pressures impacting businesses
- Exhibit a deep understanding of the political landscape in Wales
- Demonstrate a relevant business background reflecting strong commercial awareness
- Identify and develop clear win-win partnerships
- Be visible as a leader, establishing a strong direction and vision
- Showcase a proven track record of developing commercial-focused strategies that deliver improvements in output, quality, and cost