Director of Policy, Insights and External Affairs

Lead our voice. Strengthen our influence. Shape the national conversation about youth work.

The National Youth Agency (NYA) is the national body for youth work in England. We exist to professionalise, support and champion great youth work, helping to ensure that all young people have access to high-quality, safe and effective youth provision.

Our role is both broad and nationally significant. We champion youth work and its impact while supporting professional standards, qualifications, safeguarding, workforce development and quality across the sector. We work with government, local authorities, youth organisations and other partners to strengthen the sector, build the evidence base for investment and ensure the experiences of young people help inform national conversations and decision-making.

We are working exclusively with TPP Recruitment to appoint an exceptional Director of Policy, Insights and External Affairs to join our senior leadership team.

The opportunity:
This is a high-profile, outward-facing leadership role spanning policy and advocacy, communications and marketing, external affairs and stakeholder engagement, and research and insight.
You will lead how NYA shapes policy, communicates, positions itself and builds its influence nationally, strengthening our profile and reputation and ensuring we have a confident, credible and compelling voice with government, partners and the wider youth sector.
You will provide strategic leadership to an established multidisciplinary directorate, creating alignment across policy, insight, communications and external affairs. Crucially, you will ensure NYA's extensive research, data and evidence are not simply gathered, but translated into credible policy positions, powerful communications and effective influencing activity.
You will build and maintain relationships with government and other key influencers, helping to secure greater recognition of, and investment in, youth work. Strong political judgement will be important, enabling NYA to champion young people and the sector while maintaining the trusted and constructive relationships that underpin our national influence.

About you:
We are looking for an accomplished, outward-facing and politically astute senior leader with a strong track record across policy, public affairs, strategic communications, external affairs and influencing.
You may have built your career in policy, public affairs, communications, external or corporate affairs, or a related discipline. What matters is your ability to operate at organisational level, lead experienced specialists and bring different disciplines together around a clear strategic direction.

You will bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience across policy, public affairs, communications, external affairs or a related field
• A strong track record of building organisational profile, reputation and influence
• Experience of engaging and influencing government, parliamentarians, political stakeholders and senior decision-makers
• Demonstrable experience of developing and implementing successful influencing strategies
• The ability to translate complex research, evidence and ideas into compelling narratives, policy positions and influencing activity
• Strong political judgement and confidence navigating sensitive or high-profile issues
• Knowledge of research methods and impact measurement approaches
• Experience of leading and empowering multidisciplinary teams
• The credibility to contribute at senior leadership and Board level
• A collaborative, strategic and inclusive leadership style.

Direct experience of the youth sector is not essential, but an understanding of the wider policy landscape and where youth work intersects with other key agendas would be advantageous.

We welcome interest from senior leaders across charities, membership or professional bodies, public organisations, regulatory and standards bodies and other purpose-led environments who can bring relevant experience and a genuine commitment to NYA's mission.

This is a rare opportunity to shape how a national organisation is seen, heard and understood, strengthening its influence and helping ensure the value and impact of youth work are recognised nationally.

How to apply:
The National Youth Agency is working exclusively with its retained search partners at TPP Recruitment on this appointment.
Application deadline: 9.00am, Monday 23 November 2026
First-stage interviews: Thursday 10th December 2026
Final interviews: Thursday 17th December 2026
For an informal and confidential conversation about the opportunity, or to request further details, please contact:
TPP - Kate Maunder or Lisa Ross Email: [email protected]


You will then receive a candidate pack containing further information about NYA, the opportunity and the application and selection process.

Equality, diversity and inclusion
NYA is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to ensuring our leadership reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from those who are currently underrepresented in senior leadership positions.
We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the process, please let our partners at TPP Recruitment know.
As this role involves direct work with young people, the successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check prior to commencing employment, as part of NYA's commitment to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people we work with.


We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.