Lobbyist

Salary
Graduate: £16,000 - £20,000
Employee with experience: £25,000 - £30,000
Senior Post: £50,000 - £100,000

Main Employers

Governments
Political organisations
Religious organisations
Charities and NGOs
Conservation organisations
Private sector companies
Pressure groups
Public affairs consultancies

Job Profile
Lobbyists sway politicians to vote on legislation in a way that favours their interests. Lobbyists must be able to tailor their appeals to specific individuals and interest groups. There are two main types of lobbying: direct lobbying with politicians and indirect lobbying with grassroots organizations. The more people that participate in these methods, the more the issue will be listened to, so lobbying can be very time consuming. Both public and private organisations hire lobbyists to work for their interests, including groups that advocate on behalf of the environment and wildlife.

Role and Responsibilities
Jobs will vary according to each employer; however you could expect to be involved in:

Researching, forecasting and evaluating the effects of public policy through public sources, political intelligence and personal contacts
Enlisting the help of the community to influence politicians through newsletters, briefings, mass mailings, campaign material and press releases
Attending select committee hearings and party conferences
Maintaining regular contact with politicians, civil servants, local authorities and regulatory bodies
Conducting news conferences
Testifying at public hearings
Instructing individuals or organisation members in lobbying techniques

Qualifications
Relevant further education subjects include: Business; Communications; Economics; English; Environmental Science; History; International Affairs; Law; Languages; Politics; Public Affairs; Public Relations; Social Policy.

Political knowledge and commitment are more important than degree subjects. Entry with an HND only is unlikely. While a postgraduate degree is not essential, many entrants have an MSc in politics or a related subject.

Career Development
Lobby and pressure groups hire fulltime staff to work in roles such as research, campaigning, legal, lobbying and membership work. There are often opportunities to work around the globe. As with charities, there are few permanent paid roles available and a great deal of competition. Only a minority of vacancies are advertised, so you will need to make speculative applications to consultancies. Most will keep a good CV on file to refer to when a vacancy does occur. Be prepared for the fact that you may be called in for an interview even if there is no current vacancy.

Return to Job Profiles