Why all Public Affairs teams need an internal role
In the dynamic world of Public Affairs, where external activities often take the spotlight, it’s easy to overlook the vital internal support that keeps the engine running smoothly. As someone deeply committed to effective public affairs team dynamics, I can’t stress enough the importance of having a dedicated internal role within your Public Affairs team. I have seen some great moves recently by consultancies creating COO roles to take care more of internal matters, and Embassies recruiting local internal PA people to offer continuity to rotating diplomats. In the Corporate world there are also centers of excellence, group roles and other iterations that show that these roles are seen to be important – but I wanted to double down on why they are so important.
Streamlined Processes: An internal support role ensures that all internal tasks, from drafting position papers to internal reporting, are handled efficiently. This not only saves time but also ensures consistency and accuracy in your external and internal messaging. It also allows you to actually create and follow a process….
Resource Allocation & Public Affairs Team Empowerment: Having a designated internal team role is about strategically allocating your resources. External-facing Public Affairs roles focus on engaging their stakeholders but they need internal support to ensure that the necessary groundwork is laid behind the scenes. This makes them more efficient as they spend more time externally facing (where you want them). When external-facing team members know they have reliable internal support, they can confidently focus on their core responsibilities without themselves spending time on internal tasks. This empowerment fosters a culture of collaboration and enables everyone to perform at their best.
Coordination & Preparedness: In times of crisis or high-pressure having a well-oiled internal support mechanism is invaluable. Whether it’s gathering data for rapid response or coordinating the internal machinery of your organization, this role ensures that the team can navigate challenges effectively. As I constantly say the issues change but the structure and process stays in place.
Consistent Messaging: Consistency is key in Public Affairs – both internally and externally. With an internal support role in place, you can ensure that all internal documents and reporting align with both your organization’s strategy and objectives, and your own internal recognition plan.
The internal support role is the backbone of many successful Public Affairs team. It’s not just about what happens on the frontlines; it’s about the meticulous groundwork that paves the way for impactful external engagement. This is a specialized role and one that unlocks the potential of a wider Public Affairs team. So, here’s to recognizing this key role that works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that the Public Affairs team operate at their full potential.
Get in touch with me if you want to discuss more, or just have a (therapeutic) chat.
