Partnerships & Advocacy Manager

The Politics Project is looking for a collaborative, strategic and people-focused Partnerships and Advocacy Manager. You’ll lead our influencing and partnerships work with a focus on the Democracy Classroom network, strengthening relationships across the youth, education and democracy sectors. If you are energised by connecting organisations, building relationships, and mobilising a network to take up new opportunities, we’d love to hear from you.

About The Politics Project

The Politics Project supports young people to use their voice by giving them access to brilliant democratic education. They work with young people, teachers, youth practitioners and politicians to help them learn about, teach and actively participate in democracy. The Politics Project works across the UK with over 3,000 schools and youth groups and 400 politicians. Its resources reached 92% of UK parliamentary constituencies.

About Democracy Classroom

Democracy Classroom is a growing, non-partisan partnership of more than 100 civil society organisations committed to strengthening democratic engagement among young people across the UK.

The network is supported by the Democracy Classroom Platform, an online hub featuring hundreds of free resources for teachers and youth practitioners. Democracy Classroom reaches educators in 95% of UK parliamentary constituencies and plays a leading role in shaping the sector’s voice - coordinating joint submissions to government consultations and producing shared visions such as The Roadmap to Votes at 16.

This is a rare opportunity to drive collaboration at a national level and support the sector to prepare for major upcoming changes in democratic education, including the introduction of Votes at 16.

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Partnerships and Advocacy Manager to strengthen The Politics Project’s influencing and partnerships work, with a focus on Democracy Classroom - a non-partisan network of organisations across the youth, education and democracy sectors. You’ll lead the implementation of the new Democracy Classroom strategy, and grow the network’s impact and reach in the build up to the next general election and the implementation of votes at 16.

You will play a central role in expanding and activating the network - supporting over 100 partner organisations to collaborate effectively, share learning, build trust and increase their collective impact. You will be a key player in keeping the sector informed, connected and ready to respond to key moments in democratic engagement, from elections to policy changes.

You will take on a highly relational role, working closely with the team to manage and nurture a complex network blending multiple sectors. You will collaborate with the Director to manage shared relationships across the Democracy Classroom network, building more ownership over time. You’ll help position Democracy Classroom as an important conduit between the sector and major stakeholders like government departments and funders.

This is a dynamic, outward-facing role that blends strategic thinking with hands-on coordination. You’ll work closely with the Head of Communications and Networks, the Democracy Classroom Programme Coordinator and colleagues across The Politics Project to make sure partners feel supported, valued and part of a shared mission.

Key responsibilities

Partnership management

• Build, nurture and deepen relationships with more than 100 civil society partners, helping each partner see themselves as part of a growing and collaborative sector.

• Identify and recruit new organisations into Democracy Classroom, leading our onboarding process and helping new partners make the best of Democracy Classroom.

• Facilitate partner input into planning, shared problem-solving and decision-making.

• Build understanding of partners’ diverse needs and perspectives, supporting and balancing between these with sensitivity.

Advocacy and influencing

• Spot and act on emerging opportunities for collaboration, policy influence and joint sector action.

• Work with government departments such as DfE, DCMS, and MHCLG on the implementation plan for Votes at 16, translating sector expertise and experience.

• Manage relationships with academics and engage confidently with research to be an effective advocate for democratic education.

• Organise and facilitate events and advocacy opportunities such as advocacy panels, funder roundtables.

• Draft reports, submit evidence to the government, and feed into policy consultations.

• Jump on quick opportunities for the network, bringing people together and turning things around fast (e.g., presenting sector needs to funders or submitting evidence to Government).

Engagement and representation

• Plan and deliver Democracy Classroom meetings, training and networking events.

• Represent The Politics Project and Democracy Classroom externally as a confident ambassador for our collaborative, non-partisan approach.

• Develop and deliver partner communications to ensure consistent, clear and timely updates.

• Act as the main point of contact for Democracy Classroom partner queries, support and collaboration.

Monitoring and reporting

• Track partner engagement and feedback to support continuous improvement.

• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation and reporting to demonstrate the network’s impact.

• Work with The Politics Project team to most effectively document partner activity.

This is a fast-paced role in a friendly, supportive and growing team. It includes a six-month probation period and may require occasional UK travel and some evening/weekend work, for which time off in lieu will be given.

Benefits

• 33 days’ annual leave including three days off between Christmas and New Year, in addition to Bank Holidays. 

• 4% employer pension contribution.

• 2 working days / 15 hours of volunteer leave a year.

• Cycle to Work scheme.

• Professional development and training opportunities

• A warm, inclusive and values-led working environment

About you

You are passionate about democratic engagement and believe in the power of young people’s voices. You’re an enthusiastic relationship-builder who enjoys connecting organisations, spotting opportunities and turning ideas into action.

You’ll bring a strategic mindset, strong emotional intelligence and communication skills, and confidence working across sectors. You’re proactive, organised and comfortable balancing long-term partnership development with hands-on delivery.

Most of all, you’re motivated by the challenge and opportunity of supporting a high-profile national network that is shaping the future of democratic education.

An enhanced DBS check is required for this role (provided by The Politics Project).

Skills and experience

Essential

• Proven experience in partnership or stakeholder management, ideally in civil society, education or government.

• Strong strategic thinking, and a drive to identify and jump on opportunities for collaboration and growth.

• Excellent relationship-building, communication and influencing skills.

• High emotional intelligence and ability to navigate complex relationships in a growing space.

• Strong project management and organisational skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities.

• Confident working with the youth or education sectors (teaching/youth work not required).

• Experience of submitting evidence to Government, drafting quasi-academic reports or policy briefings, or responding to consultations. An academic background is not needed, but you must be comfortable engaging with policy and research.

• Knowledge of, and interest in, UK politics and democratic engagement.

• Self-motivated, resilient and solutions-focused.

• Willingness to work occasional evenings/weekends and travel within the UK.

Desirable

• IT literacy, including strong use of Google Workspace.

• Experience using CRMs or managing databases.

• Experience evaluating partnership impact and producing reports.

How to apply

Please apply via Charity Job with the following:

• Your CV (no more than two pages).

• A supporting statement of no more than one A4 page, setting out how your experience, skills and knowledge meet the person specification and why you are drawn to this role.

The closing date is 11:30pm, Saturday 20th June 2026.

Screening calls are planned for the week beginning Monday 29th June, with interviews to follow in early July.

Anticipated start date will be August or September, depending on notice period.