Knowledge and policy manager jobs

Think Active is entering an exciting period of growth, collaboration and system leadership. Over the coming years, we aim to strengthen our influence and impact across Coventry, Solihull & Warwickshire, particularly in tackling inequalities through the power of sport and physical activity.

At the heart of our work is our vision:

#WeThinkActive – Everyone in Coventry, Solihull & Warwickshire to benefit from movement and enjoy sport and physical activity in safe and thriving communities.

And our mission:

We will use the power and potential of sport and physical activity to enable future generations to have healthier and more prosperous lives.

The role reflects the growing recognition that physical activity has an important role to play in improving health, reducing inequalities and strengthening communities across Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire.

Any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory references, pre-employment checks, a DBS check and proof of the right to work in the UK.

The main responsibilities of this role are:

Main Responsibilities 

Relationship Management 

• Lead and manage relationships with partners and support the development of local partnerships and networks that drive collaboration across relevant sectors. 

• Lead or support the development of place-based partnerships that align multiple agendas across sectors and advocate for the benefits of physical activity.

Project Management 

• Lead Think Active-managed initiatives, ensuring aims are clearly defined, delivered on time and within budget, and aligned with organisational values. 

• Use data and insight to co-design, deliver and evaluate projects and initiatives. 

• Produce clear performance reports, reporting against SMART goals and targets.

Financial Management 

• Take responsibility for diversifying Think Active's income streams in line with the business development plan, operating within funding guidance and financial procedures. 

• Manage project budgets, including forecasting, monitoring income and expenditure, and submitting financial reports. 

Demonstrating Impact 

• Track and report progress through case studies and evaluation processes that evidence the impact and value of Think Active's work. 

Marketing and Communications 

• Build brand visibility by strategically managing partnerships and contributing to Think Active's wider marketing and communications activity. 

• Help position Think Active as a leading voice in health, wellbeing, and physical activity through innovative partnerships and initiatives. 

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications

Essential Criteria

• Relevant degree, professional qualification or equivalent experience in business, health, sport, physical activity or a related field.

Desirable Criteria

• Project management qualification

Knowledge

Essential Criteria

• Knowledge of local and national strategies and policies relating to sport, physical activity and health promotion.

• Knowledge of current trends and innovations in sport and physical activity participation and promotion.

• Knowledge of the barriers facing the least active members of society and the benefits of physical activity.

• Knowledge of the local community and key stakeholders across Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire.

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge of safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable adults in sport.

•  Experience of leading and managing people, including setting and reviewing work programmes, providing clear direction and demonstrating the behaviours required to achieve agreed standards.

Experience

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience in partnership development or a comparable role within a sport, physical activity, health, charity, non-profit or similar setting.

• A track record of delivering successful individual, team and partnership outcomes.

• Experience of developing, managing and nurturing relationships with partners and stakeholders.

• Experience of drafting, implementing and reporting on strategic development plans and policies in partnership with stakeholders and communities.

• Experience of planning and managing budgets, including meeting the requirements of funding agencies or partner organisations.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of fundraising and grant applications.

• Experience of event planning and delivery.

Skills and Abilities

Essential Criteria

• Ability to successfully lead, project manage and motivate individuals and project teams.

• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to motivate, persuade, negotiate and influence others.

• Strategic thinking, critical thinking and sound decision-making skills.

• Ability to work independently and manage a broad portfolio of projects, partners and budgets, balancing competing priorities and deadlines.

• Ability to promote and champion equality, diversity and inclusion, demonstrating a fair and ethical approach in all situations.

• Ability to effectively network and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.

• Professional, supportive and able to maintain confidentiality at all times.

• Ability to reflect on performance, welcome feedback and commit to continuous professional development.

• Competent in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

• Strong presentation and facilitation skills, with the ability to deliver workshops and group sessions.

• Ability and willingness to travel across Coventry, Solihull, Warwickshire, the West Midlands and nationally, and to work occasional evenings, weekends and public holidays as required

Desirable Criteria

• Ability to develop and implement effective partnership strategies.

• Demonstrates resilience, professionalism, flexibility and a supportive approach.

ABOUT THINK ACTIVE

Think Active is a charity and the Active Partnership for Coventry, Solihull, and Warwickshire. We are one of 6 sub-regional Active Partnerships within the West Midlands and one of 42 across England.

Active Partnerships are strategic organisations that recognise activity levels are affected by a complex system of influences, and no single organisation or programme can create sustainable change at scale. Understanding the unique attributes and challenges within Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire, we work collaboratively with our network of local partners to help create the right conditions for those facing the greatest inequalities to have access to movement, sport and physical activity, in a way that works for them For further information on Think Active, please visit our website here

BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR THINK ACTIVE

• Employer pension contribution of 6%, subject to scheme eligibility and terms.27 days annual leave (FTE), plus bank holidays.

• Agile and flexible working, with a blended approach to home, office, and remote working.

• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and sick leave policies.

• Contribution to the cost of eye tests.

• Commitment to professional development and training.

• Cycle to Work Scheme.

• Life Insurance cover

 We love difference and will be interested to find out what motivates you and how you can contribute to Think Active. We encourage diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are a Disability Confident committed employer, and we actively encourage applicants from all protected characteristics and commit to providing any reasonable adjustments required during the application and assessment process, and upon joining Think Active.

We recognise that some of the language used within this job description may be sector specific. We are committed to keeping jargon to a minimum and would encourage interested applicants to ask questions or seek clarification at any point during our recruitment process.

Lead a space that changes young people’s lives

We’re looking for a bold, strategic and hands-on leader to take ownership of our Middlesbrough Hub — a vital community space supporting young people facing real barriers to opportunity.

As Hub Manager, you won’t just run a service. You’ll shape a high-impact environment, design programmes that change lives, and build partnerships that open doors for young people who need it most.

What you’ll do

As Hub Manager, you will:

• Lead and develop the hub as a high-impact community asset, responding directly to local needs of young people.
• Design and deliver programmes that support young people’s physical, emotional and social development, using youth voice to shape provision.
• Build strong local partnerships with organisations, funders and community stakeholders
• Drive impact and sustainability, using data, insight and storytelling to evidence change and secure future financial support
• Lead and inspire a team, creating a positive, accountable and high-performing culture
• Oversee operations, including budget management, facilities, safeguarding and compliance

You will play a critical role in ensuring the hub not only delivers for young people today — but is built to sustain and grow its impact over time.

Who we’re looking for

You’ll bring:

• Strong experience leading youth, community or place-based programmes
• The ability to turn strategy into reality
• A track record of building partnerships and influencing stakeholders
• Confidence in leading teams, driving confidence and performance
• A clear commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and young people’s outcomes

Most of all, you’ll be someone who sees potential — in people, in places, and in what’s possible

Why join us?

At the KFC Youth Foundation, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive. This role offers the chance to:

• Lead a high-profile, purpose-driven community hub
• Shape innovative programmes that respond to real need
• Work as part of a mission-led organisation with national reach and growing impact
• Be part of a team committed to creating lasting change for young people

Benefits

• 28 days’ holiday + bank holidays
• Up to 9% employer pension contribution
• Flexible and hybrid working
• Private medical cover
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Ongoing training and development

Apply now

If you’re ready to lead a hub that makes a real difference — and help shape the future for young people in Middlesbrough — we’d love to hear from you. 

Interviews

This is a two stage interview process.

For Stage 1, this will focus on your experience, leadership style and approach to delivering impact.

You can expect:

• A structured interview with key stakeholders
• Questions exploring your experience in programme design, partnerships, leadership and safeguarding
• An opportunity to talk through how you would approach leading and developing the Hub
• Space for you to ask questions about the role and organisation

Please ensure you can be available for first round interviews online w/c 6th July

For Stage 2, This stage is designed to reflect the reality of the role and how you operate in a live environment.

You will be asked to:

• Deliver a short practical session or activity with young people, demonstrating your ability to engage, communicate and create a safe, inclusive environment
• Complete a scenario-based exercise or presentation linked to hub leadership, programme design or local impact
• Take part in a follow-up discussion with the panel, reflecting on your approach and decisions

This stage allows us to see how you balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery, and how you connect with young people — a critical part of the role.

Second stage interviews will be held 4-6pm on either Monday 14thJuly, Tuesday 15th July, Friday 17th July in person and you must be available for one of these dates.

Purpose of the Role

As the Policy and Campaigns Officer for Scotland, you will be the driving force behind our policy development, political monitoring, and strategic advocacy in Scotland. Your work will champion the strategic interests of dietitians as both a professional membership body and a registered trade union. Alongside core policy work, you will take direct ownership of designing and delivering a high-profile national campaign which is delivered across the UK. This allocated campaign will focus on a critical theme impacting both public health and our workforce.

The role sits within the BDA’s policy and public affairs function, and you will be part of a small team of policy officers and a public affairs officer who work across the other home countries and the UK. You will have access to an established Scotland board, a colleague who covers trade union representation in Scotland and a supportive professional practice, communications and leadership team based at our Birmingham head office.

Key Areas of Responsibility

The post holder will deliver on the following key responsibilities:

Policy development and advocacy (55%)

• Monitoring the political environment in Scotland in our key areas of interest, providing briefs and advice to the Scotland board and BDA senior leadership team on developments within Holyrood, NHS Scotland, STUC and local government.
• Policy development including work with relevant committees and BDA staff in the development of key policy documents and position statements with particular responsibility for policy positions in Scotland which balance clinical standards with social impact, workforce and employment rights.
• Co-ordinate and draft robust, evidence-based responses to consultations from Scottish government, public bodies and parliamentary committees. May also respond to UK consultations where appropriate for a campaign theme.
• In conjunction with the BDA public affairs officer, advocacy for the dietetic profession and the BDA in Scotland by maintaining a network of contacts across the Scottish political spectrum including MSPs, government officials, health board executives, and policy influencers.
• Translate political updates and complex policy changes into clear accessible updates and guidance for BDA members via newsletters, webinars and the website.
• Represent the BDA with internal and external stakeholders including BDA Specialist Groups, AHP policy officer and working groups/networks and other alliances.
• Represent the BDA at Allied Health Professions Federation Scotland (AHPFS) working groups and events, building relationships, contributing dietetic priorities and ensuring the profession’s interests are reflected in shared policy discussions and collaborative activity.

Campaign co-ordination (30%)

• Completion of campaign workplan/s template with the campaign working group/s.
• Co-ordinate campaigns in conjunction with working group/s.
• Monitoring the landscape with regards to allocated campaigns. Provide advice when relevant issues are trending or becoming topical.
• Build appropriate alliances with third-sector organisations, networks and charities, food policy alliances and other health unions to amplify the campaign’s impact.
• Working with colleagues in communications, design and public affairs to create compelling campaigning materials, digital content, and toolkits to mobilise members, the public, and parliamentarians to lobby for legislative and budgetary changes that support dietetic services and interests.
• Establish clear KPIs for the campaign/s, monitoring progress, media coverage, member engagement, and policy shifts, and reporting these to senior leadership.

Cross BDA engagement and communications (15%)

• Help and deliver the BDA’s participation in profile raising events in Scotland, such as NHS Confederation.
• Regular engagement with the Chair of the Scotland Board on policy, political and government matters, resulting in input to Board agendas and support for political engagement.
• Provide expert advice and briefings to senior leadership ahead of high-level meetings or media appearances in Scotland.
• Be a valuable member of the BDA policy and public affairs function, contributing to the evolution of the policy function and contributing to the wider work and objectives of the Trade Union team

Person Specification

Knowledge

• Degree educated.
• Campaign/project management.
• Health policy development.
• Equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Public policy making process, particularly within Scotland.
• Knowledge of the Health and Social Care policy landscape in Scotland and the devolved nature of public services.
• It is also desirable if you have an understanding of the trade union movement in Scotland.

Experience

• Experience of working in a policy, public affairs or research role in healthcare, membership, charity, public sector, or trade union.
• Experience of lone working and being part of a small field-based team.
• Working within a health professional body or trust/board.
• Working in a political environment.

It is also desirable if you have worked as a dietitian or dietetic support worker.

Ideally you should be confident working independently in a small field-based team, able to build relationships and translate complex policy into clear advice, with desirable experience in a professional body, trade union, or dietetic setting.

Role summary

The Communications & Marketing Manager will manage the Ben Kinsella Trust's day-to-day communications, marketing and campaigning activity, helping to raise awareness of our work, engage key audiences and support the charity's objectives.

This is a hands-on role that combines communications, digital marketing, CRM management, data insight and project management. The postholder will plan, create and deliver content across the charity's channels, including email marketing, websites, social media and paid advertising, using data, testing and performance insight to continually improve engagement and impact.

A key part of the role is the effective use of the charity's CRM and digital systems to manage audience data, support segmentation, and strengthen the effectiveness of communications and campaigns. The postholder will be confident using digital tools and will actively identify opportunities to improve performance through SEO, automation, testing, analytics and other digital marketing techniques.

The Communications & Marketing Manager will also manage the delivery of public awareness campaigns, including Knife Crime Awareness Week, overseeing projects from planning through to evaluation and ensuring measurable outcomes. They will act as a gatekeeper for the Ben Kinsella Trust brand, ensuring consistent and high-quality communications. Through recruitment and line management of a Communications Officer, they will ensure our communications and marketing activity is consistently professional and on brand, increasing reach, engagement and impact.

Key Responsibilities

Communications

• Manage the charity’s external communications across email, web, social media, paid and other digital channels.
• Plan, create and publish high-quality content, including news stories, case studies, campaign materials, blogs, videos and stakeholder communications, supported by a clear content calendar.
• Monitor performance across channels and use analytics to improve engagement, reach and effectiveness.
• Act as a gatekeeper for the Ben Kinsella Trust brand, ensuring all communications are consistent and aligned with brand guidelines, and challenging incorrect usage where necessary.
• Support the development and delivery of the charity’s public awareness campaigns, increasing reach, engagement and impact.

Marketing

• Manage marketing activity that supports programme delivery, stakeholder engagement, partnerships, fundraising, advocacy and awareness-raising objectives.
• Manage audience data within the charity’s CRM, ensuring it is accurate, segmented and effectively used to improve targeting and campaign performance.
• Plan and deliver integrated marketing campaigns across email, social media, web, search and paid channels.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve digital performance through SEO, segmentation, testing, automation and other optimisation techniques.
• Create and coordinate marketing and visual content using appropriate design tools, ensuring materials are professional and brand compliant.
• Work with external suppliers, designers and contractors where required.
• Monitor and report on marketing performance, using insight to inform ongoing improvements.

Project & Campaign Management

• Manage the delivery of Knife Crime Awareness Week and other public awareness campaigns from planning through to evaluation.
• Manage communications and marketing projects, ensuring delivery on time, within scope and with clear measurable outcomes.
• Develop project plans, timelines and evaluation frameworks.
• Coordinate internal colleagues, partners and suppliers to deliver activity effectively.
• Monitor progress and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Team Management

• Recruit, line manage and support a Communications Officer.
• Establish systems, processes and ways of working that enable the communications team to operate efficiently and effectively.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience in a communications, marketing or digital engagement role.
• Experience managing multi-channel communications, including email, social media, websites and paid channels.
• Experience using CRM systems and managing audience data for segmentation and targeting.
• Experience using data, analytics and testing to improve communications or marketing performance.
• Experience planning and delivering campaigns across communications or marketing channels.
• Experience managing projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience creating written, visual and digital content for a range of audiences.
• Experience line managing staff, volunteers or contractors.

Skills and Knowledge

• Excellent written and verbal communication with the ability to tailor content for different audiences.
• Digital and technical marketing skills, with understanding of how CRM, data and digital tools improve engagement, reach, conversion and campaign performance.
• Knowledge of digital marketing principles including SEO, email marketing, segmentation, A/B testing, analytics and conversion optimisation.
• Ability to identify, implement and evaluate improvements to communications and marketing activity.
• Ability to measure, evaluate and report on performance using data and insight.
• Confident using cloud-based systems and able to quickly learn new digital tools and platforms.
• Curious and proactive in keeping up to date with digital trends, tools and best practice.
• Analytical, with the ability to interpret data and make evidence-based recommendations.
• Content creation skills, including copywriting for digital channels.
• Ability to create professional marketing materials using tools such as Canva or similar design platforms.
• Project management skills with a structured and organised approach.
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality.

Values

• Passionate about making a difference – committed to preventing knife crime and improving outcomes for young people
• Committed to equity and inclusion – values and actively promotes diversity, inclusion, and fairness in all aspects of work
• Reflective and open to learning – committed to personal growth, welcomes feedback, and continuously seeks to improve practice
• Collaborative and influential – builds effective working relationships internally and externally, fostering teamwork and partnerships.

Benefits

• Flexible working opportunities where possible
• 27 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (rising to 30 days and 33 days after 5 and 10 years’ service, respectively)
• Enhanced sick policy
• Contributory pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme with the Green Commute Initiative
• Personal development opportunities

About the Role

 We are looking for a motivated and capable individual to join our dynamic Policy and Public Affairs Team, supporting the development of credible, evidence‑based policy proposals and helping to influence UK governments and NHS organisations to adopt them.

Key tasks and responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

· Monitoring the political and policy environment to keep track of things like Government / NHS initiatives and influencing opportunities.

· Collating and helping to analyse existing quantitative and qualitative research to produce briefings, help generate policy proposals and facilitate their implementation.

· Assisting the Head of Policy and Public Affairs and Policy and Public Affairs Officer to devise and implement influencing plans directed towards politicians, the NHS or relevant stakeholders.

· Preparing and drafting responses to consultations and reports relevant to the work of CPOC and the College, ensuring responses are evidence-based and in line with on-going policy work and strategy.

· Assisting with designing and conducting new research, such as survey work or interviews, in support of policy and influencing work.

· Becoming the team’s main expert on policy work in one of the UK devolved nations – likely Northern Ireland – and represent the Policy and Public Affairs Team on RCoA’s board for that nation.

· Providing general administrative support to the Team, including producing agendas for meetings and keeping track of our contacts with stakeholders.

About You

To succeed in this role, you will need to deliver high‑quality work at pace, be well organised, eager to learn and able to build strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. You should have a sound understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods, what makes impactful policy proposals and how research can be used to influence policymakers.  Insight into the UK health policy landscape, including government and NHS priorities, is also important.

This role is well‑suited to someone starting their policy career, and while previous policy experience is beneficial, it is not essential as full support and development will be provided.

What We Want to Achieve

We want to see an NHS that delivers good outcomes for patients and makes the best use of available resources. Our role in this relates to the anaesthetic workforce, and we have two specific priorities:

1) Boosting the anaesthetic workforce. Most operations require an anaesthetist in order to take place, but each of the four UK nations faces a chronic shortage of anaesthetists. Unfortunately, at present, no UK government is funding enough anaesthetic training places. We are determined to see this changed.

2) Optimising the surgical pathway. Anaesthetists don’t just work in the operating theatres they are often involved with the care patients receive before and after their operations – known as ‘perioperative care’. Good perioperative care can prevent surgical cancellations, complications, and unnecessarily long hospital stays. To this end, we host the Centre for Perioperative Care (CPOC). CPOC advocates policies such as ‘prehabilitation’ to ensure that patients arrive in hospital on the day of their surgery in the healthiest state possible – so their operation can go ahead without problems, and they can recover quickly. We are doggedly pushing for such polices to be adopted.

The Package

This is a full-time, permanent position with a competitive employee benefits package, which includes (but is not limited to):

· 26 days of annual leave, plus bank holiday

· 1 additional paid day of leave for the purpose of celebrating your birthday

· Healthcare support through Benenden Health

· Up to 12% pension contribution

· Hybrid and flexible working

· Wellbeing hour once a week

· Cycle to work and employee discounts schemes

· Training and development opportunities

· Access to Mental Health First Aiders and Employee Assistance Programmes

About the College

The Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) is the professional body responsible for the specialty throughout the UK. We are the third largest medical royal college in the UK by membership. With a combined membership of more than 24,000 Fellows and Members, we ensure the quality of patient care by safeguarding standards in the three specialties of anaesthesia, intensive care and pain medicine.

At RCoA equality, diversity and inclusion is an integral part of our culture so it is important to us that this is reflected in everything that we do. We welcome applications from all individuals irrespective of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion or belief, disability, marital status, or parental responsibilities to ensure we actively embrace an inclusive and representative culture that encourages, supports and celebrates our differences.

How to Apply

 If you believe that you are the right person for this role, please submit your CV and cover letter by Tuesday 30th June. In your cover please address clearly how your experience meets the essential criteria in the job description in no more than 750 words.

Please note that the closing date is subject to change, depending on the success of the recruitment process.

Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications, we are unable to provide detailed feedback to candidates on their application. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted after the closing date. Please note that the closing date is subject to change.

Applicants must reside and have the right to work in the UK. No agencies please.

Hybrid / High Wycombe HP13 (minimum of one day per week on site)

£38,000 - £42,000 FTE + £312 working-from-home allowance

We’re looking for a talented Individual Giving Manager to join the Fundraising & Communications Cluster at Embrace.

The Fundraising & Communications Cluster comprises expertise in fundraising, marketing, communication, trading (web shop), supporter engagement and retention. Working collaboratively, we serve our supporters by providing authentic and engaging communications inspiring active social witness, engagement and giving to charity. 

The Fundraising & Communications Cluster strengthens Embrace’s communication, education, and fundraising efforts to drive growth, so that more people engage with our content, more donors are attracted to support, and the UK church is more deeply engaged with the cause - enabling us to fund more work in the region and generate a deeper understanding of Christian service in the Middle East.

As Individual Giving Manager, you’ll help us grow sustainable income by keeping individual supporters inspired, informed and engaged - so they give again, stay longer, and deepen their support.

You will deliver an excellent supporter journey experience, project managing engaging and compelling direct and digital individual giving activity (including – but not limited to – appeals, regular giving conversion & upgrade, lapsed reactivation) and incorporating legacies marketing, raising more than £1m voluntary income each year.

What success looks like:

• Higher Life-Time Value (LTV): more second gifts, upgrades and cross channel giving; stronger legacy pipeline.
• Lower churn: reduced lapse rates for cash and regular givers.
• Better donor experience: faster thank yous, clearer impact reporting, higher satisfaction with fewer complaints/optouts.
• Sustainable mix: growth in regular giving and mid-value segments; predictable, repeatable income.

Key Responsibilities:

Supporter Experience & Journeys

• Map and continually improve journeys: welcome → second gift; regular giving nurture/upgrade; mid-value; legacy prospecting; lapsed reactivation; complaint recovery.
• Set cadence and channel mix (email, mail, phone, SMS, social, events, digital) for consistent, donor‑first communications in appropriate channels and accessible formats.
• Donor-first approach: clear, inclusive language; accessible formats; low‑friction giving/retention flows and personalisation e.g. name, last gift, interests, location, project etc.
• Collaborate with Content & Communications colleagues to deliver content that shares the impact of support i.e. what donors make possible and Embrace’s brand story.

Segmentation, Testing & Insight

• Track Regular Giving net growth; diagnose attrition drivers and fix root causes; maintain acceptable Return on Investment (ROIs).
• Lead supporter segmentation (by behaviour & interest) and A/B testing (offer, timing, upgrade prompts).
• Adopt an evidence-based, test and learn‑ approach; analyse appeals, campaign performance and share insights to drive decisions.
• Work with colleagues to build insight dashboard and understanding of retention.

Mid‑Value & Legacy Development

• Steward mid‑value donors with tailored journeys; warm handovers to and from Major Giving Manager.
• Develop and test legacy propositions and routes to market to grow enquiries and pledges.

Acquisition & Cross‑Sell

• Project manage individual giving product development and testing; identify new audiences and routes to market.
• Collaborate with Web Shop team and the Digital Marketing Campaigns Manager to optimise Alternative Gifts and cross-sell opportunities focusing on a digital first approach.

Cross-Team Collaboration

• Work closely with the Supporter Experience Team to ensure that supporter journeys are being optimised and feedback from supporters is being captured and acted upon.
• Commission and work with the CRM and Systems Manager to develop clear and understandable dashboards, ensuring that the insights are used to develop plans and measure performance.
• Closely liaise with the Legacy administration team, working with them to ensure the packs and information are up to date and legacy marketing information complies with the latest Institute of Legacy Management standards.
• Develop an understanding of the Partner projects and Advocacy agenda, ensure all supporter briefings are aligned to agreed messaging.

Organisation-wide Contribution

• Model Embrace’s values of trust, respect, integrity, and compassion.
• Uphold safeguarding responsibilities and compliance with GDPR and charity regulations.
• Actively support cross-team collaboration and organisational goals. Maintain CRM hygiene.

Qualifications, Experience & Knowledge:

• Educated to degree standard or equivalent (E.g. practical experience within fundraising).
• Member of Chartered Institute of Fundraising.
• Proven individual giving or CRM led retention experience in a charity, membership or subscription context. 
• Hands‑on journey design and automation.
• Strong data literacy: segmentation, dashboards (CRM/Excel), test and learn. 
• Excellent written communication—able to brief compelling, impacted content and clear supporter updates. 
• Practical project management; calm under pressure; collaborative and solutions focused. 
• Working knowledge of GDPR/PECR and best practice supporter care. 
• Experience stewarding mid-value supporters and legacy pipelines.
• Experience with payment recovery tools and card update flows.
• Familiarity with UK charity sector metrics and fundraising codes of practice. 

Personal qualities:

• Donor-first mindset, inclusive and empathetic.
• Curious, evidence driven, and comfortable iterating.
• High integrity, discretion and good judgment. 
• Highly motivated and results driven.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.
• Passionate about the work of Embrace, with the ability to enthuse and engage others.
• A natural collaborator who enjoys working as part a team to deliver organisation wide objectives.

Tools & systems:

• CRM Dashboards & analysis.
• Payments: Direct Debit management, card‑updater/failed‑payment recovery.
• Microsoft 365 (Teams, SharePoint, Planner), project boards. 

If this sounds like you, please apply on our vacancies page.

Closing date: 5.00pm on Wednesday, 15 July 2026.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy and conduct interviews in advance of the closing date should suitable applications be received.

Embrace the Middle East is an equal opportunity employer. In line with our recruitment policy, we are committed to attracting and selecting staff solely based on merit- skills, qualifications, and ability to perform- regardless of age, race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or socioeconomic background. Our recruitment process is structured, transparent, and designed to eliminate bias, ensuring that every candidate receives fair treatment and consideration. All job opportunities are advertised openly, and selection decisions are based on clear, pre-defined criteria and objective assessment methods. We stand by the values of dignity, fairness, and inclusion in all our communications and activities. 

Children and young people in London matter; their voices, experiences, and futures. They deserve every chance to make the most of their lives. But too many young people can’t because they don’t have the opportunities to help them thrive. That is where transformational youth work comes in offering somewhere to go, something to do, someone to trust. 
 

The Trusts and Foundations Manager plays a pivotal role in the success of the Fundraising and Communications Directorate, and London Youth as a whole. In line with our fundraising strategy, you will be responsible for securing new five and six-figure corporate partnerships, achieving ambitious personal targets and contributing to our overall fundraising target of £6.9m in 2026. Your focus will be on high-value long-term strategic relationships with businesses generating both restricted and unrestricted funds as well as other non-financial benefits.

About the role – what you will be doing

You will: 

• develop and maintain an exemplary understanding of the needs of young people and youth organisations in London 
• proactively communicate the vision and mission, aims and work of London Youth to funders 
• undertake prospect research to identify new funding opportunities that increase restricted and unrestricted income 
• collaborate with teams from across London Youth to develop and submit high quality five and six figure applications to trusts, foundations, institutional funders, and livery companies 
• work with colleagues to find ways to increase income from existing funders 
• meet all KPIs and financial targets 
• provide first class stewardship to funders 
• maintain up-to-date records on all aspects of fundraising activity on Salesforce and SharePoint and produce regular reports/reports when needed 
• ensure agreements are in place with all funders and are recorded in line with our processes 
• take responsibility for your ongoing professional development 
• commit to and actively promote London Youth’s policy and procedures to value and respect diversity and inclusion in all duties and working relationships 
• reflect our inclusive culture in your day-to-day work and support a positive health & safety and safeguarding culture in your interactions with colleagues
• follow our organisation’s anti-racism principles and practices as you actively promote and respect diversity and inclusion in all aspects of your work and working relationships. 

About you – what you bring to the role
The following attributes are required for the role.
 

Knowledge and Experience:

• track record of leading and securing five and six figure funding relationships with trusts, foundations, institutional funders, and livery companies 
• demonstrable knowledge of UK and London funders 
• ability to undertake rigorous prospect research and build and manage a robust pipeline 
• demonstrable relationship management skills 
• proven project management skills 
• experience of regularly recording and reporting on data 
• ability to interpret financial data 
• awareness of Fundraising Regulatory Framework 
• experience of acting as an organisational ambassador in a range of outward facing contexts 

Attributes and Behaviours:

• passionate and demonstrably committed to improving the lives of young people 
• outstanding written and oral communication skills 
• attention to detail 
• ability to prioritise workload 
• ability to work independently or with small or large groups of colleagues 
• ability to work in a changing and flexible environment 
• willingness to learn new skills 
• discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality 
• willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends at London Youth events. 

You will be able to demonstrate our values of being:

• ambitious
• collaborative
• inclusive
• accountable

Benefits

• Generous holiday allowance – 39 days paid annual holiday each year. If you work part-time, your holiday allowance (including closure days) will be proportional based on your working hours. 
• Additional leave granted to support voluntary activity.  
• Free access for you and your family to the Employee Assistance Programme  
• Free access to the ‘Headspace’ application for you and your family 
• Free Health Care Cash Plan  
• You’ll be working with a fantastic team of passionate colleagues across London Youth  
• You will be making a difference to the lives of young people. 

Policy and Public Affairs Manager

Location: Remote, with some travel to Cannock, London and other locations as required
Reports to: Charity Director
Team: Charitable Service

At Newlife, we’re entering an exciting new chapter - we’re on a mission to empower disabled children and their families, to live life to the fullest and champion the joy of childhood.

So we’re investing in our people and building the team we need to deliver our new strategic ambitions. 

Newlife is looking for an experienced and values-driven Policy and Public Affairs Manager to lead our policy, influencing, public affairs and campaigning work. This is an exciting opportunity to shape national conversations and drive meaningful change for disabled children and their families across education, health and social care systems.

In this role, you will ensure that lived experience is at the heart of Newlife’s influencing work, developing evidence-based policy positions, building strategic relationships and delivering campaigns that challenge barriers, raise awareness and improve outcomes for families.

About the role

As Policy and Public Affairs Manager, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across Newlife’s policy, campaigns, public affairs and lived experience activity. You will identify opportunities to influence policy and practice, develop compelling cases for change, and represent Newlife with decision-makers, sector partners and external stakeholders.

You will also oversee the delivery and development of the APPG for Access to Disability Equipment, working with parliamentarians, government departments and sector organisations to increase awareness of the issues affecting disabled children and families.

Key responsibilities

o Lead the development and delivery of Newlife’s policy, public affairs, campaigning and influencing strategy.

o Develop evidence-based policy positions informed by research, service insight and lived experience.

o Ensure the voices of disabled children and families shape Newlife’s policy, campaigning and influencing work.

o Oversee the APPG for Access to Disability Equipment and build relationships with parliamentarians, policymakers and sector partners.

o Lead campaigns and influencing activity that raise awareness, challenge barriers and support policy change.

o Build strategic partnerships and coalitions to strengthen Newlife’s influence and collective impact.

o Represent Newlife externally at parliamentary events, conferences, roundtables and sector forums.

o Provide effective leadership for policy, campaigns and lived experience activity, including line management of the Lived Experience Coordinator.

o Contribute to organisational strategy, planning and growth as a member of the Charity Leadership Team.

About you

We are looking for someone with significant experience in policy development, public affairs, campaigning or influencing, ideally within the charity, public or not-for-profit sector. You will bring strong knowledge of policy and influencing processes, excellent communication skills and the ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and decision-makers.

You will be confident developing policy briefings, consultation responses, reports and position papers, and able to use evidence, research and lived experience to influence change. You will also be a collaborative leader with a strong commitment to inclusion, equity and the rights of disabled children and their families.

Essential experience and skills

o Experience of developing and delivering policy and influencing strategies.

o Experience of building relationships with parliamentarians, policymakers, government departments or national stakeholders.

o Experience of managing campaigns, consultations or public affairs activity.

o Experience of partnership and coalition working.

o Experience of using research, evidence and lived experience to influence change.

o Strong understanding of education, health, social care and disability policy.

o Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

o Strong leadership, people management, strategic thinking and analytical skills.

o Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.

For the full person specification, please refer to the attachement below 

Why join Newlife?

This is a unique opportunity to play a leading role in strengthening Newlife’s voice and influence, helping to create systemic change for disabled children and their families. You will work with passionate colleagues, families, professionals and partners to shape policy, improve practice and ensure lived experience drives meaningful action.

If you are a strategic, compassionate and influential leader who wants to make a lasting difference, we would love to hear from you.

Benefits

In return, you will receive 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, a generous in-store discount, a cash health plan, discounts on restaurants, travel and insurance, and access to an Employee Assistance Programme through Retail Trust.

#Policy and Public Affairs Manager #Policy and Public Affairs #Policy Manager #Public Affairs Manager 

This is a critical role that is responsible for managing the charity's day-to-day people management and development, ensuring appropriate processes are in place and in line with current and relevant legislation. The People Manager will help develop a high-performance culture where all colleagues feel a sense of belonging and are able to fulfil their potential.

RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Provide proactive coaching on values alignment and desired behaviours, with support and advice to managers and team members        on    all matters relating to people.
• Support managers to create an inclusive culture and workplace that gets the best out of our people.
• Promote and advocate for early resolution when issues arise, including Performance Improvement guided by organisational values         and policies.
• Effectively manage employee relations (ER) issues alongside line managers including, but not limited to absences, performance             management, disciplinary, grievances and dismissals, escalating to the Director of People as required.
• Support the Director of People to deliver change management programmes including TUPE transfers, redundancy and service re-       organisations.
• Develop an understanding of challenges, opportunities and people priorities in each team and work with managers to develop long term resource plans and succession planning.
• Support the Director of People in the development of information, reports and analysis for managers, the Strategic Management Team and the Board, to deliver insights and take action.
• Work with the Finance Manager to ensure the accurate processing of payroll.
• Support the end-to-end recruitment process, including attraction, supporting with job descriptions, shortlisting, interviews and the induction process.
• Build and implement engagement processes and activities including surveys, focus groups, conferences/away days and exit interviews, ensuring they deliver continuous improvement and enhance our reputation as a great place to work.

ROLE

• Support the implementation of Belonging, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (BDE&I) and wellbeing strategies and programmes
• Support the Director of People with the development of reward and recognition programmes
• Support the Director of People in creating learning and development programmes
• Support with the management of the L&D budget and programme, ensuring effective return on investment and value for money.
• Manage the organisation’s people information systems and identify opportunities for enhanced digital services.
• Analyse data e.g., from engagement surveys, exit interviews and turnover to inform the People Strategy and implement improvements.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Experience

• Experience in managing, coaching and developing employees
• Degree in Organisational Psychology, HR, CIPD level 5 qualified or equivalent knowledge gained through experience
• Proven experience in managing the employee lifecycle (recruitment to exit)
• Adept at stakeholder management and relationship building across multiple teams
• Proven track record in managing varied, complex employee relations (ER) issues and capable of managing several issues at once
• Experience of planning and delivering L&D projects
• Experience of working successfully in a changing organisation where flexibility, agility and adaptability are essential.

Skills & knowledge

• Strong relationship building skills, you are equally comfortable having informal positive conversations as you are holding people to account and providing direct challenge
• Working knowledge of employment law, and able to use sound judgement on when we can be flexible and when we need to be rigid in our approach
• Confident in both written and spoken communication with the ability to present to internal audiences both virtually and in person
• High in emotional intelligence, psychological agility and a coaching mindset
• Highly numerate with strong analytical and problem-solving

Personal qualities

• Track record of delivering to tight deadlines and overcoming setbacks
• A focus on continuous process improvements through measurement, analysis and progress of actions in order to deliver service improvements
• Requirement to work at pace to respond to customer requirements whilst balancing key priorities
•  A focus on outstanding customer service excellence, high standards of attention to detail, quality, accuracy and responsiveness

Desirable criteria

• Experience in managing TUPE and redundancies

Before starting this position, you’ll need to undergo a criminal record check by the Disclosure and Barring Service. You must be entitled to work in the UK.

We are looking for a dedicated and passionate manager to fill our Operations Manager post in West Yorkshire. You will oversee the West Yorkshire contract, ensure compliance against key performance indicators and manage the Team Leader and senior staff. You will have experience of working within a similar role, preferably within the voluntary sector and with a knowledge of the criminal justice system.

This is a full time hybrid role with an office base in Wakefield and the expectation to travel across West Yorkshire as part of the role. There may also be an occasional requirement to travel within Yorkshire and the Humber and occasional wider travel to attend events or other offices.

What we offer

At Victim Support, we are committed to attracting and retaining the best talent. Our competitive rewards and benefits package includes:

• Flexible Working Options: Including hybrid working.
• Generous Annual Leave: 28 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 33 days plus Bank Holidays, with options to buy or sell annual leave.
• Birthday Leave: An extra day off for your birthday.
• Pension Plan: 5% employer contribution.
• Enhanced Allowances: Enhanced sick pay, maternity, and paternity payments.
• Exclusive Discounts: High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment, and leisure discounts.
• Financial Wellbeing: Access to our financial wellbeing hub and salary-deducted finance.
• Wellbeing Support: Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
• Inclusive Networks: Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes.
• Sustainable Travel: Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans.
• Career Development: Ongoing training and support with opportunities for career progression.

About the Role

As an Operations Manager you will oversee the successful running of the West Yorkshire contract ensuring that we are meeting our contractual requirements and continually improving.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Ensuring the delivery of excellent services for victims of crime promoting a clear person centred and trauma informed approach
• Ensuring compliance against key performance indicators, contractual and internal requirements
• Responsibility for the line management of team members including recruitment, training and development, supervision and support
• Work collaboratively with internal stakeholders across Victim Support
• Undertake data analysis, service audit and report presentation to improve service and showcase best practice
• Attend regular contract monitoring meetings and represent the service at external events
• Ensure compliance with policy, procedure and legislation including in relation to data, safeguarding and confidentiality
• Support the Area Manager to identify development opportunities and innovate within the service

About You

Ideally, you will have experience of managing teams, have an understanding of the criminal justice system and of working within the voluntary sector. You will be a compassionate individual with a passion for developing service for victims of crime. You will be able to motivate and manage teams and have an innovative outlook towards development.

You will need:

• Experience and knowledge of voluntary and statutory agencies, particularly in the criminal justice, health and social care sector
• Successfully managed diverse teams, utilising different working method to achieve high performance
• Experience of leadership and management and implementation of change management processes
• Ability to effectively manage demanding and competing work priorities, achieving successful results across team and service
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with partner agencies and stakeholders to improve service

This role involves regular travel and due to the location, a driving license and access to a vehicle is considered an essential requirement. If you are unable to drive because of a disability, please indicate this in your application in your personal statement so we can explore the feasibility of alternative arrangements.

About Us

Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. We put them at the heart of our organisation and our support and campaigns are informed and shaped by them and their experiences.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.

At Victim Support, we're proud to celebrate diversity and create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We're committed to being an antiracist organisation, and we actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from Black and Asian and other minoritised communities.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet all essential criteria for a job where it is practicable to do so. We are also happy to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment and selection process.

How to apply

To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date. If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.

We are looking for a dedicated, passionate and innovative manager to lead our Humberside services. You will oversee services across Humberside. You will be a manager with experience of leading teams, developing services and innovating to increase and improve service provision.

This is a full time hybrid role with an office base in Hull and the expectation to travel across Humberside as part of the role. There may also be an occasional requirement to travel within Yorkshire and the Humber and occasional wider travel to attend events or other offices.

What we offer

At Victim Support, we are committed to attracting and retaining the best talent. Our competitive rewards and benefits package includes:

• Flexible Working Options: Including hybrid working.
• Generous Annual Leave: 28 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 33 days plus Bank Holidays, with options to buy or sell annual leave.
• Birthday Leave: An extra day off for your birthday.
• Pension Plan: 5% employer contribution.
• Enhanced Allowances: Enhanced sick pay, maternity, and paternity payments.
• Exclusive Discounts: High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment, and leisure discounts.
• Financial Wellbeing: Access to our financial wellbeing hub and salary-deducted finance.
• Wellbeing Support: Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
• Inclusive Networks: Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes.
• Sustainable Travel: Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans.
• Career Development: Ongoing training and support with opportunities for career progression.

About the Role

As an Operations Manager you will oversee the successful running of the Humberside contract ensuring that we are meeting our contractual requirements and continually improving.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Ensuring the delivery of excellent services for victims of crime promoting a clear person centred and trauma informed approach
• Ensuring compliance against key performance indicators, contractual and internal requirements
• Responsibility for the line management of team members including recruitment, training and development, supervision and support
• Work collaboratively with internal stakeholders across Victim Support
• Undertake data analysis, service audit and report presentation to improve service and showcase best practice
• Attend regular contract monitoring meetings and represent the service at external events
• Ensure compliance with policy, procedure and legislation including in relation to data, safeguarding and confidentiality
• Support the Area Manager to identify development opportunities and innovate within the service

About You:

Ideally, you will have experience of managing teams, have an understanding of the criminal justice system and of working within the voluntary sector. You will be a compassionate individual with a passion for developing service for victims of crime. You will be able to motivate and manage teams and have an innovative outlook towards development.

You will need:

• Experience and knowledge of voluntary and statutory agencies, particularly in the criminal justice, health and social care sector
• Successfully managed diverse teams, utilising different working method to achieve high performance
• Experience of leadership and management and implementation of change management processes
• Ability to effectively manage demanding and competing work priorities, achieving successful results across team and service
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with partner agencies and stakeholders to improve service

This role involves regular travel and due to the location, a driving license and access to a vehicle is considered an essential requirement. If you are unable to drive because of a disability, please indicate this in your application in your personal statement so we can explore the feasibility of alternative arrangements.

About Us

Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. We put them at the heart of our organisation and our support and campaigns are informed and shaped by them and their experiences.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.

At Victim Support, we're proud to celebrate diversity and create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We're committed to being an antiracist organisation, and we actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from Black and Asian and other minoritised communities.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet all essential criteria for a job where it is practicable to do so. We are also happy to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment and selection process.

How to apply

To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date. If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.

Hours:            25 hours per week

Base: Shipley office with travel to other offices (Skipton/Harrogate)

Salary:            £32,000 – £35,050 (Full time equivalent)

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Volunteer Manager to lead the development, coordination, and growth of our volunteer programme supporting unpaid carers (both adults and young carers).

This role will focus on recruiting, training, and supporting a diverse volunteer base, including members of the public, college students, and student social workers to deliver a range of support across our services. Alongside this, the Volunteer Manager will play a key role in building internal capacity by equipping staff with the skills and confidence to effectively support volunteers in their roles. This is an exciting opportunity to shape and strengthen a volunteer offer that has real impact for carers in our community.

Key Responsibilities

Volunteer Recruitment & Engagement:

• Develop and deliver effective volunteer recruitment strategies
• Promote volunteering opportunities through outreach, partnerships, and campaigns
• Build relationships with colleges, universities, and community organisations to attract volunteers
• Manage the end-to-end recruitment process, including onboarding and safer recruitment checks

Volunteer Training & Development:

• Design and deliver induction and training programmes for volunteers
• Ensure volunteers are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed for their roles
• Support student placements (e.g. social work students) to meet learning objectives

Volunteer Supervision & Support:

• Provide ongoing supervision, guidance, and pastoral support to volunteers
• Monitor volunteer wellbeing, performance, and development
• Address any issues or concerns in a timely and supportive manner
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and rewarding volunteer experience

Supporting Staff to Work with Volunteers:

• Train and support internal staff to effectively supervise and work alongside volunteers
• Develop guidance, tools, and best practice resources for staff
• Promote a culture where volunteering is valued and embedded across the organisation

Quality, Safeguarding & Compliance:

• Ensure all volunteering activity is safe, ethical, and compliant with organisational policies
• Maintain accurate records of volunteer activity and engagement
• Support safeguarding processes and ensure volunteers understand their responsibilities

Service Development:

• Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the volunteer programme
• Gather feedback from volunteers, staff, and service users to inform improvements
• Support reporting on volunteer impact and outcomes

For an informal discussion, please reach out to: Dolly Dalton.

This is an opportunity to join a dedicated organisation that is committed to making a meaningful impact on the lives of carers. If you are passionate about supporting others and making a difference, we encourage you to apply.

Carers’ Resource values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Closing date for applications: Sunday 28th June 2026

Proposed interview date: Friday 10th July 2026 (Shipley)

Fawcett is recruiting a Fundraising Manager to own day-to-day fundraising delivery and help strengthen how fundraising works across the organisation. This is a manager-level role with real responsibility: bringing structure, judgement and follow-through to live fundraising activity, leading trusts and foundations as a core technical area, and helping develop wider fundraising opportunities over time.

You would work closely with our Head of Income and Organisational Development, who leads the strategic side of this work, while this role acts as its operational counterpart. We are looking for someone with strong fundraising experience, especially in trusts and foundations, excellent bid and report writing skills, and the ability to operate autonomously in a small organisation.

Fawcett is a broad-church feminist organisation. We are not a monolith, and we recognise that people may hold differing views on some contested issues. We want colleagues who are comfortable working in that context and who can contribute to a culture of thoughtful dialogue, mutual respect and shared purpose.

We know that women and people from marginalised backgrounds are less likely to apply unless they meet every requirement. If this role feels like a strong match for your skills and approach, we would encourage you to apply.

Salary: £35,159 to £36,935 (starting salary range)

Working pattern: Full-time, Permanent (35 hours per week)

Pension: USS

Annual leave: 25 days plus 8 bank holidays, 3 well-being days, and a Christmas office closure

Location: Hybrid, flexible working model with an office located in central London. Occasional UK-wide travel for GHE and relevant events.

Reports to: Policy Manager (Skills, Innovation, International)

Purpose

GuildHE is seeking an ambitious Policy Officer to play a pivotal role in the next phase of our organisation’s growth. Working directly with the Head of Research Policy and the Policy Manager (Skills, Innovation, International), you will help monitor, analyse, and respond to policy initiatives within the research and innovation space.  You will support a range of member-focused events and activities to ensure staff in our member institutions are well-informed and supported. This includes supporting the management of the GuildHE Research Consortium and leading on the organising and delivery of our flagship annual PGR Doctoral Festival, helping our members develop, share best practices, and maximise their research impact.

Key Responsibilities 

Policy Analysis & Communication

1. Horizon Scanning: Monitor government departments (e.g., DSIT, DfE), funding and regulatory bodies (UKRI, Research England, OfS, Innovate UK), and other stakeholders for policy updates, funding calls, and consultation launches in relation to Research and Innovation policy.

2. Briefings: Produce concise policy briefings, data summaries, and position papers for GuildHE members and leadership on key Research and Innovation issues (e.g., REF, knowledge exchange, KEF, commercialisation, research culture, open research). Develop high-quality external reports, consultations, blogs and other materials articulating member challenges and opportunities.

3. Consultation Drafts: Assist senior policy colleagues in gathering evidence, analysing member feedback, collaborating with sector stakeholders, and drafting compelling arguments that articulate the unique perspectives of GuildHE institutions.

4. Share Best Practice: Identify case studies across the GHE membership to share best practice internally and externally and drive national conversations about new ways of working and operating in the sector.

5. Policy issues: Maintain up-to-date knowledge of national and institutional research and innovation policies indicated by the Head of Research Policy or Policy Manager (Research, Innovation, International).

Member Support & Consortium Coordination

1. Member Engagement: Maintain regular, positive communication with research and innovation leads across member institutions, fostering a collaborative network.  Support relevant GuildHE member networks, including the Knowledge Exchange, Innovation and Place network, promoting communication, collaboration, and best practice exchange to inform evidence-based policy development.

2. Member development: Provide support for timely implementation of good practice guidelines and associated resources, within agreed budgets. This includes assisting with members' business development initiatives, such as Research Degree Awarding Powers.

3. Event Delivery: Develop and deliver content for events including the GuildHE Research Consortium meetings, the Research and Knowledge Exchange Symposium, PGR Doctoral Festival, the PGR Network for global majority students and sandpits/match events, workshops and roundtables. 

4. Shared Services: Collaborate with other GHE teammates to maintain and deliver our shared services (i.e. research outputs repository, shared postgraduate online training, research impact tracking and researcher development tools) and explore new services in response to members’ needs

5. PGR Students: Develop and deliver initiatives for postgraduate students and early career researchers (e.g., our PGR Support Programme and associated student networks), working closely with the Policy Manager (Student Experience) to ensure postgraduate students are reflected in broader student support policies.

The postholder will also be expected to:

1. Actively support the delivery of the GuildHE strategy.

2. To contribute positively to a small, professional team focused on delivering excellence in their members’ interests.

3. Support GuildHE events and communication activities as appropriate - including campaigns, writing articles, blogs and press releases.

4. Build strong relationships with key stakeholders at HE institutions and sector agencies, including senior leaders, academics, and policy staff.

5. Gather feedback from HE institutions and use this to inform the continuous improvement of our services.

6. Demonstrate a proactive approach to embedding EDI principles within all policy development and advocacy efforts.

7. Represent GuildHE externally on a range of HE sector groups and projects and deputise for the Head of Research Policy or the Policy Manager (Skills, Innovation and International) as appropriate.

8. Undertake any other reasonable duties as may be required.

Person Specification

Core Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships

• Clear, concise writing skills for drafting policy responses, reports, and emails to senior stakeholders with excellent attention to detail.

• Problem-solving, Influencing and advocacy skills 

• Ability to digest complex, lengthy policy documents and extract key themes relevant to GuildHE members.

• Confident digital skills and highly proficient user of computer packages including MS Office and G Suite

• Ability to manage multiple tasks effectively, adhere deadlines, and maintain project momentum. This includes the capacity to monitor progress, identify and mitigate potential risks, and proactively address challenges.

• Experience in using data and evidence to enhance and impact assess activities. 

• Facilitation and convening skills would be advantageous 

Core Attributes

• Ability to build professional relationships quickly and sustainably with members and a wide range of stakeholders

• Able to meet deadlines, to prioritise work and to anticipate issues and problems with strong attention to detail

• A collaborative, communicative and flexible team player who is also comfortable working independently.

• An individual who shares our values of equity and inclusion and can translate these values into day to day work and impactful outcomes.

• An understanding of, or a keen interest in, the UK higher education sector, research funding landscape, or public policy.

• To be willing to travel across the UK for meetings with members, stakeholders and events and to work flexibly, when and where necessary.

Ideal Experience

• Knowledge and understanding of higher education policy, working in research and innovation and/or supporting a research environment. 

• Experience of developing policy positions and responses

• Experience in synthesising complex data and/or ideas

• Experience in supporting training and development

Job Advert

GuildHE is a formal representative body, representing diversity in the higher education sector and the widest variety of institution types across the UK.  We are undergoing an exciting period of transformation, evolving our policy approach and member-focused services to significantly increase our impact within the sector and ensure we’re providing timely, proactive support to our members as they address emerging 21st century challenges.  

GuildHE is seeking an ambitious Policy Officer to play a pivotal role in the next phase of our organisation’s growth. Working directly with the Head of Research Policy and the Policy Manager (Skills, Innovation, International), you will help monitor, analyse, and respond to policy initiatives within the research and innovation space.  You will support a range of member-focused events and activities to ensure staff in our member institutions are well-informed and supported. This includes supporting the management of the GuildHE Research Consortium and leading on the organising and delivery of our flagship annual PGR Doctoral Festival, helping our members develop, share best practices, and maximise their research impact.

If you think you can bring bold, creative and proactive energy to our small-and-mighty team to help take us to the next level, we want to hear from you!

Application closing date: Monday 12th July

Interviews: Tuesday 21st July 

Curious about the role? Please contact DanaGamble, Policy Manager for more information