Head of Policy and Research

Overview:

Resolve Poverty is seeking a visionary Head of Policy and Research to provide strategic leadership and drive our national and local influencing agendas. You will manage the Advocacy, Policy and Research team, bringing excellent planning and project management skills to ensure we can deliver competing demands to a high standard. This includes the delivery of our growing portfolio of local anti-poverty strategy development and adjacent work. You will spearhead our work on the socio-economic duty and the national Child Poverty Strategy, working closely with the CEO to ensure Resolve Poverty has a strong national advocacy presence. You will champion thought leadership by cultivating funding pipelines and building high-impact partnerships with academics, think tanks, and Westminster decision-makers to maximise the impact of place-based approaches to poverty.

Working hours:

This is a full-time position, but at Resolve Poverty, we are committed to building an inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from exceptional candidates who may wish to deliver this role on a part-time or flexible basis. If you are looking for a reduced-hours schedule, please outline your ideal working pattern in your application so we can explore what is possible.

Key responsibilities

Strategic leadership, support and input

• Working with the CEO to strategise Resolve Poverty’s policy and influencing work
• Working with board members and acting as a bridge between the board and internal strategic conversations.
• Ensure Resolve Poverty is a thought leader by working closely with internal and external stakeholders.
• Membership of Resolve Poverty’s Strategic Oversight Group (this is the space where we develop and track the organisation’s strategic thinking).
• Supporting the CEO to deliver Resolve Poverty’s Westminster level advocacy activities, including engaging with national NGOS, think tanks and decisionmakers as required.
• Representing Resolve Poverty in key forums and meetings with stakeholder, influencing policy and practice in line with our policy asks and strategic priorities.

Policy and research development and delivery

• Providing high level management and oversight of advocacy, policy and research outputs, ensuring our resources are utilised effectively.
• Planning advocacy, policy and research outputs, ensuring these are incorporated into wider organisational activities.
• Leading our commissioned, place-based strategic anti-poverty work, working with the Advocacy, Policy and Research team to deliver activities to schedule.
• Working to an annual policy and research income target, with an emphasis on partnering with academics, academic institutions and other relevant bodies as appropriate.
• Specific leadership for ensuring effective delivery of Resolve Poverty’s work on the socio-economic duty, working to a clear plan.
• Supporting the development, planning and delivery of key events such as the Resolve Poverty annual conference.
• Managing policy and research delivery partnerships, including delivery of local anti-poverty strategy development and adjacent projects and strategic partnerships.
• Developing a fundable pipeline of policy and research outputs, working to an annual funding target to secure funding for those activities.

Line management and contributing to team

• Management of the Advocacy, Policy and Research team.
• Management of Resolve Poverty’s Policy and Advisory Group.
• Be a key and responsible member of Resolve Poverty’s team, providing wider organisational leadership as required. 
• Support other aspects of Resolve Poverty’s work as appropriate, including planning and delivering team meetings.
• Act in compliance with our policies and processes at all times, ensuring our data is stored and managed in line with GDPR.

Person specification

Experience & Knowledge

Essential:

• Strategic Leadership: Proven track record of developing and delivering high-impact policy, research, and advocacy strategies within a charity, think tank, public sector, or political environment.
• Political & Advocacy Expertise: Demonstrable experience influencing policy and practice, including engaging with Westminster-level decision-makers, national NGOs, and central government stakeholders.
• Team Management: Experience line-managing, motivating, and developing high-performing policy, research, or advocacy teams.
• Income Generation & Funding: Proven experience meeting funding or income targets, including building fundable pipelines and securing grants or contracts for research and policy outputs.
• Partnership Management: Strong track record of initiating and managing complex multi-stakeholder partnerships, particularly with academic institutions, local authorities, or sector bodies.
• Policy knowledge: Strong knowledge of poverty in the UK, with specific knowledge of the role localities can play in tackling poverty and promoting financial inclusion. You will have a passion for being a knowledge on areas such as the socio-economic duty, local welfare provision and the national social security system.

Desirable:

• Subject Matter Expertise: Deep understanding of the socio-economic duty and the structural drivers of poverty in the UK.
• Governance Experience: Experience working alongside Board members and Trustees to bridge governance and internal operational strategies. 

Skills & Abilities

Essential:

• Thought Leadership: Ability to turn complex research data into compelling policy arguments and accessible messaging for diverse audiences.
• Strategic Thinking: Experience participating in senior leadership forums (e.g., Strategic Oversight Groups) to shape wider organisational direction.
• Relationship Building & Networking: Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to network and command respect at the highest levels, including with academic bodies and senior politicians.
• Project Management: Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage policy and research projects, oversee multiple project timelines, and allocate resources effectively.
• Communication & Representation: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to act as a public spokesperson in high-level forums and media environments.

Personal Attributes & Compliance

Essential:

• Commitment to the Cause: A deep, visible passion for tackling poverty and social injustice and a passion for maximising the impact of place-based working.
• Collaborative Mindset: A proactive, supportive team player willing to contribute to wider organisational tasks and cross-team projects.
• Integrity & Compliance: Absolute commitment to organisational policies, values, and strict compliance with GDPR and data management regulations.