Policy and Advocacy Lead

Ref: PAL-251
Thursday, 9th October 2025 at 9.00am

Are you a proactive, motivated and influential individual with a deep understanding of UK policy-making and influencing processes, ideally in areas related to social justice?  Do you have proven experience of developing and delivering successful influencing strategies that led to policy change?

If so, join St Giles as our Policy and Advocacy Lead, where will lead the development and execution of our policy agenda and advocacy strategy.  As an integral part of our Communications team, you will see you play a central role in how St Giles shapes and participates in public debate, influences government policy, and ensures the voices of those with lived experience are at the heart of decision-making.

About St Giles Trust
An ambitious, well-established charity that helps people facing adversity to find jobs, homes and the right support they need.  Central to our ethos is our belief that people with first-hand experience of successfully overcoming issues such as an offending background, homelessness, addictions and gang involvement, hold the key to positive change in others.

About this key role
As Policy and Advocacy Lead, you will deliver a bold and evidence-based policy and advocacy plan aligned with St Giles’ three pillars of work: Poverty, Violence & Exploitation and Criminal Justice.  You will also provide strategic advice and support to leadership and executive teams on political and policy developments and ensure our influencing work is inclusive, grounded in lived experience and reflects the values and priorities of St Giles.

We will also count on you to lead the development of policy positions, briefings, consultation responses, and reports, oversee research projects and ensure robust evidence underpins all policy recommendations and to build and maintain relationships with policymakers, government departments, think tanks, and stakeholders.  Leading, managing and inspiring the Policy and Influencing team to deliver high-impact work is also a major aspect of this role, as is collaborating across departments, such as Programmes and Fundraising, to integrate policy work into wider organisational objectives.
 
What we are looking for

• Strong political acumen and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments
• Proven experience managing and motivating high-performing teams
• A commitment to anti-racism, equity, and working in solidarity with marginalised communities
• The ability to demonstrate knowledge and awareness of the issues faced by our client group, in particular barriers faced by people with lived in experience
• The ability to think creatively to secure funding
• A collaborative, approachable and professional approach to your work
• Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building and communication skills, verbal and written

In return, you can expect a competitive salary, generous leave allowance, staff pension, flexible working, a mentoring programme, an advice and counselling service, clinical therapist sessions, life insurance (4 x annual salary), duvet days, season ticket loan, employee perks programme, eye care voucher and much more.

We are an equity and inclusion confident employer. We welcome all applications, and we particularly encourage applications from people of the global majority (black, brown, multi- heritage) and those who identify as disabled, neuroexpansive, neurodiverse, with any protected characteristics and/or social barriers or challenges. We value the empowering and informative impact that all lived experiences and diversity of thought can offer the organisation.

St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.

We will be reviewing applications as they are received, and reserve the right to close this advert early if a suitable candidate is appointed. We therefore strongly encourage early applications to avoid any disappointment.

Closing date:  09 October 2025 at 9 a.m.       Interview date: 17 October 2025