Government Relations Lead

Rowden is a UK-headquartered industrial technology company building the next generation of operational edge systems. We combine hardware, software, and systems engineering to deliver critical technology for frontline organisations and critical industries operating in demanding and disconnected environments. 

We're one of Europe's fastest-growing companies, a strategic supplier to the UK Ministry of Defence, and backed by the National Wealth Fund. Our engineering and manufacturing capability is rooted in the UK, with a growing customer base and partnerships across Europe and North America. 

Our growth brings new opportunities and challenges across technology, industrial policy, investment, supply chains, talent, and international trade. We're looking to build on our established relationships with government and industry, strengthen our influence in the UK and overseas, and ensure our government affairs activity directly supports our commercial ambitions.

About the role 

You'll lead Rowden's government affairs activity, helping us shape the policy and regulatory environment in which we operate, strengthen our relationships across government, and create the conditions for growth in the UK and internationally. 

You'll work directly with senior leadership, providing political intelligence and advice on developments across HMG, Parliament, and the wider policy environment. You'll need a strong understanding of how decisions are made across MOD, DBT, HMT, and the Cabinet Office, particularly where defence procurement, industrial policy, export controls, and regulation affect our business. We expect you to anticipate developments, understand their commercial implications, and recommend where Rowden should engage or act. 

Your effectiveness will depend on how well you understand what Rowden builds and how we are different. While this role is externally focused, you'll spend significant time embedded with our commercial, delivery, engineering and product teams learning our technology capabilities and relevant programmes, so that every position, briefing, and conversation with government is targeted and grounded in what we actually deliver. 

You'll build purposeful relationships with relevant ministers, officials, parliamentarians, select committees, trade advisers, and diplomatic networks. As we expand internationally, you'll help assess new markets, understand procurement and market access barriers, identify relevant government and industry stakeholders, and recommend practical routes to establishing our presence. 

You'll have the autonomy to build Rowden's government affairs capability and advise directly on decisions that matter to our future. We value sound judgement, intellectual rigour, and the ability to get things done, regardless of where you studied or whether you followed a conventional route into government affairs. 

Candidates must be eligible for SC clearance.

More information about security clearance is available here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels