Policy development jobs

National AIDS Trust is the UK’s HIV rights charity. We work to stop HIV from standing in the way of health, dignity and equality, and to end new HIV transmissions. Our expertise, research and advocacy secure lasting change to the lives of people living with and at risk of HIV.

We’re looking for a strategic thinker and experienced policy professional to lead our policy, research and influencing work at a senior level. This pivotal role will shape and drive the organisation’s approach to evidence-based policy development, stakeholder engagement and external influencing to deliver real-world impact.

You’ll be responsible for developing and delivering policy positions, overseeing high-quality research and analysis, and building effective relationships with policymakers, partners and sector stakeholders. You’ll also provide strategic insight and support to senior leadership, helping to position the organisation as a thought leader in our field.

You’ll bring proven experience of leading successful policy and influencing initiatives, excellent analytical and written communication skills, and a strong understanding of the policymaking landscape. A confident communicator and collaborator, you’ll be comfortable engaging with senior stakeholders, representing the organisation externally, and managing complex projects from inception to delivery. This is a key leadership role offering a significant opportunity to shape change and advance our mission.

This is an exciting time to join us on our mission as we implement our new international engagement strategy. As our International Engagement Officer you will elevate our influence on the global stage. This is a new and important role for our charity. You will work with our senior team to drive international engagement with policymakers, parliamentarians, international organisations, and strategic partners. Your work will help us to position babies – and the first 1001 days – at the heart of global policy agendas.

You will be responsible for engaging and coordinating the relationships between our senior team and leaders around the world. You will keep abreast of policy developments in our target international countries and facilitate our international advocacy efforts. With support and supervision from the Director of Research and Grants and our Chair of Trustees, you will support the development of partnerships that extend our reach and deepen our impact. Through this work you will help us to bring the voice of babies to partners around the world.

This vacancy is restricted to Black and minoritised women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

We reserve the right to close these adverts early if we have sufficient interest, so early applications are encouraged.

Are you driven by a commitment to social justice and equality? Do you want to utilise your expertise to support vulnerable women and children in their fight against inequality and discrimination? Southall Black Sisters has the perfect opportunity for you. We are seeking a dedicated Immigration Solicitor to provide specialised, personalised advice to our clients, empowering them to make informed decisions about their future.

In this crucial role within our Immigration Team, you will collaborate closely with colleagues to deliver confidential OISC Level 2 advice and representation. Additionally, you will support and train colleagues working at Level 1, ensuring the highest standards of service and advocacy.

The postholder will play a vital role in advancing Southall Black Sisters’ (SBS) policy, communications and public affairs work. This includes shaping and delivering strategies that:

· Promote SBS’s mission to end violence against women and girls (VAWG), particularly for Black, minoritised and migrant (BMM) women and girls.

· Influence public policy and legislation to secure justice, safety and rights for Black, minoritised and migrant women and girls.

· Strengthening the public voice and visibility of SBS through impactful communications and campaigning.

They will work closely with senior staff, partner organisations and stakeholders to ensure that SBS’s policy positions, campaigns and services are effectively communicated, and that the lived experiences of the women and girls SBS supports are at the forefront of public and political discourse.

By joining our team, you will be at the forefront of the fight for equality and justice, making a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Why work with Southall Black Sisters?

Southall Black Sisters is committed to providing a supportive working environment, where team members feel valued, empowered and safe. To that end, we provide an excellent package of employee benefits including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement 
• Hybrid working 
• Enhanced pension contribution
• Enhanced sick pay
• Subsidised public transport season ticket
• A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, including access to confidential support from MBACP therapists 
• Clinical supervision with an MBACP therapist to explore issues arising from casework
• A focus on continued learning and development through accredited training delivered by experts in their field
• Organisation-wide away days
• Career development pathways and support
• The opportunity to learn and grow within an organisation renowned for inspiring political activism and campaigning successes
• Employer eye care scheme

To Apply

Submit a completed application form along with the optional equal opportunities monitoring form by the application deadline. Please do not send us your CV as this will not be considered.

Please note, incomplete applications will not be considered.

Pause works to improve the lives of women who have had more than one child removed from their care, and the services and systems that affect them.

As Communications and Policy Officer, your role will be to raise awareness and increase understanding of Pause and the experiences of the women we work with in order to achieve positive change at both a national and local level.

This is a new role, sitting within the Partnerships and Engagement team, although you will work with colleagues across the whole organisation.

You will work with the team to influence change by delivering creative communications activity and maintaining excellent working relationships with key stakeholders. This will involve working closely with our Impact and Influencing Lead as well as our colleagues in practice, participation and engagement, so that you can learn from those with lived experience and ensure their voices are at the forefront.

The ideal candidate will be an excellent communicator with the ability to deliver creative communications to influence change. You also should have a real desire to create positive change in the services and systems that affect the lives of women who have had children removed from their care. 

We are using Charity Job's anonymous applicant tracker system. Your cover letter should be no more than 2 sides of A4, and so you’ll need to use your creative skills to be sure that you fully address the person specification and show us why you’re the absolute best person for this job.

About the role

Are you a strategic, compassionate, leader with a deep commitment to equality, justice and human rights?

Stand Against Racism & Inequality (SARI) is seeking a new Head of Services to join our senior leadership team and help shape the future of our frontline work. This is a unique opportunity to lead a passionate team delivering casework support, training, education, and community outreach to tackle hate crime and promote safer, more inclusive communities.

As Head of Services, you’ll oversee our day-to-day service delivery—ensuring it remains high-quality, trauma-informed, and aligned with our values. You’ll help us meet our contractual commitments, identify emerging needs, and strengthen our impact. You’ll also play a key role in developing staff, representing SARI externally, and supporting organisational strategy, income generation and policy.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and supporting the delivery of SARI’s casework, education, and training services.

• Managing and mentoring staff across multiple teams and workstreams.

• Identifying patterns and trends in hate crime and feeding this into local responses.

• Representing SARI at public events, forums, and in the media.

• Contributing to strategic planning, policy development, fundraising and partnerships.

• Supporting the wellbeing, supervision and development of staff through inclusive and empowering leadership.

About you

We’re looking for someone with:

• Strong leadership and staff management experience.

• A deep understanding of discrimination, oppression and equalities issues.

• Experience of delivering support or advocacy services to marginalised communities.

• Excellent communication skills and a confident approach to partnership working.

• A strategic mindset and ability to juggle operational demands with long-term planning.

• A values-led, trauma-informed approach that centres service users and staff wellbeing

What we offer

• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays (rising by 1 day per year to 30 days)

• Hybrid and flexible working

• External trauma-informed 1:1 and group supervision

• A supportive, inclusive and mission-driven team

• The chance to make a meaningful difference to people’s lives

To apply

Visit our website to download the application pack and apply. We warmly welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds, especially those with lived experience of discrimination or marginalisation.

About us

We’re Breast Cancer Now, the research and support charity. We’re the place to turn to for anything and everything to do with breast cancer. However you’re experiencing breast cancer, we’re here. 

The brightest minds in breast cancer research are here. Making life-saving research happen in labs across the UK and Ireland. Support services, trustworthy breast cancer information and specialist nurses are here. Ready to support you whenever you need it. Dedicated campaigners are here. Fighting for the best possible treatment, services and care for anyone affected by breast cancer.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to join the policy, evidence and influencing team. You’ll help us to deliver change for people affected by breast cancer, undertaking research that informs our policy positions.

You’ll develop and deliver a strategy for driving research and insight that supports policy development and provides the basis for our influencing activity. You’ll interpret and summarise existing research in key policy areas and undertake new research - either by designing and delivering it yourself, or commissioning external partners to do this for us - and ensure the results are shared both internally and externally.

About you

You’ll have experience of working in a relevant research role, using a wide range of research methodologies, commissioning research and involving people with lived experience and other stakeholders in your work.

You’ll be an excellent communicator who is able to translate complex information into accessible language, have strong analytical skills, be able to think strategically whilst also having an eye for detail, and experience of managing projects.

Job description and benefits

Please download the job description and our attractive benefits package.

Primary location of role and hybrid working

This role is primarily based in our London office. Our hybrid working model allows you to work up to 3 days per week at home if working 35 hours per week.

When applying

We hope you choose to apply for this role. To support your application, you’ll be asked to submit your anonymised CV and a supporting statement. Please refer to the essential criteria on the person specification and clearly provide as much information as you can with examples, to demonstrate how and where you meet the criteria. If you’ve any immediate questions please contact Breast Cancer Now recruitment. 

As this role is offered on 28 to 35 hours per week, please confirm in your supporting statement the hours you are applying for.

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

We’re committed to promoting equity, valuing diversity and creating an inclusive environment – for everyone who works for us, works with us, supports us and who we support.

Closing date 15 July 2025 at 9am

Interview date 28 July 2025

IPSO – the Independent Press Standards Organisation – is the regulator of most newspapers, magazines and digital news sites in the UK. Through our work, we hold the press to account, protect the public when they need us and encourage high standards in the press, whatever the format, channel, or subject of the coverage. In joining IPSO, you will become part of a small professional, vibrant and fast-paced organisation and contribute to building our reputation as a trusted and independent champion of high-quality press and online news.

We are recruiting a Standards Policy Officer to join our small and friendly Standards and Regulation team.

About the role

The role of the Standards and Regulation function is to monitor newspaper, magazine and digital publishers’ compliance with the Editors’ Code of Practice and to take action to address concerns about editorial standards, including by undertaking investigations into serious standards failures as necessary. It’s a busy team that coordinates closely with others at IPSO and outside the organisation, engaging with members of the public, journalists, and experts on a wide variety of subjects. Some recent issues that the standards team has worked on are reporting of sexual offences, suicide, major incidents, and domestic abuse.

As the Standards Policy Officer, you will carry out a range of tasks, including analysing information drawn from complaints received by IPSO, supporting the annual statements process and engaging with a range of representative groups who have concerns about press reporting. You will work closely with the Head of Standards and other colleagues across IPSO.

This is a role for someone who is interested in news and journalism, has excellent communication and analytical skills, and enjoys working with others to achieve a shared purpose. Candidates who demonstrate relevant experience will be given an opportunity to demonstrate their skills through a written exercise prior to short-listing for interview. This means that we can measure candidates’ relevant skills directly and make a fairer decision on which applications to take forward.

At IPSO we believe strongly in personal development. All new starters receive a full induction to ensure that they are ready to succeed in role. We are always looking for people who bring a different perspective and welcome applications from those with skills gained in another context that can be transferred to our work. Although no previous experience is required, a background in regulation or compliance may be an advantage.

There is a competitive starting salary of £34K. In addition, we offer a comprehensive benefits package. This includes hybrid working (typically Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the office for most roles), 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme, a contributory pension scheme, life insurance, an employee assistance programme, private GP service and up to £60 per month towards gym membership or other healthcare/welfare benefit.

At IPSO, we want to create a culture which recognises, values, and respects that people are different. We believe that representing the diversity of the society in which we work is fundamental to our goals of protecting people and promoting freedom of expression.

We are committed to promoting a fair and inclusive workplace where all our people can flourish and reach their full potential. We know that diverse teams allow for a more creative and productive environment, and we strongly encourage applications from a wide range of people regardless of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender (identity, expression or reassignment), marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief and socio-economic background.

How to apply

IPSO will reimburse reasonable travel costs for attending interviews. If you require a reasonable adjustment, please include that information with your application. In-person interviews are preferred but IPSO conducts interviews by video call where needed and candidates choosing this option will not be disadvantaged. The job description for the position can be found attached below.

To apply, please click the apply button to be redirected to the IPSO vancancy page. Applications must be in by 5 p.m. on Monday 14 July.

Do you have experience in health or research policy development and advocacy? Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity are hiring a Head of Policy to develop our first ever policy and advocacy function. As Head of policy, you will be a key spokesperson for the charity and will ensure that we are using our brand and our voice to advocate for the needs of seriously ill children and their families at Great Ormond Street Hospital and beyond.  

Salary

The salary for this position is £72,000 per annum and we operate a hybrid working policy of a minimum of 2 days in the office per week.
 

In line with our EDI strategy and Total Reward policy, we calculate our salaries based on benchmarking data across the charity sector. To ensure fairness for existing staff and new joiners, we do not offer salaries above the advertised rate. 

Key Responsibilities

This is a varied position where you’ll be responsible for:

Strategic policy leadership 

• Developing and implementing a comprehensive policy agenda, in line with our high level strategy for advocacy. 
• Overseeing the development of position papers, key policy messaging and response to government consultations. 
• Identifying emerging policy trends, analysing potential impacts and developing responses. 

Creating and leading a team

• Recruiting and developing a small team.
• Owning the policy and advocacy budget and work plan. 

Relationship building

• Developing relationships with the Charity’s local partners at the Trust and Institute of Child Health (ICH) to ensure alignment and engagement on key policy & advocacy initiatives.
• Building relationships with key parliamentarians and policy makers. 
• Representing the charity at key political or government events. 

Please refer to the full job description for more information. 

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Significant experience in policy development / strategic advocacy within a charitable organization, think tank, or public sector organisation.
• Previous success in shaping and influencing public policy.
• In-depth knowledge of the healthcare, research, paediatric care, or relevant public health policy landscape.
• Exceptional strategic and analytical thinking, with the ability to interpret complex policy issues and translate them into clear, actionable strategies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including public speaking, stakeholder management, and the capacity to engage effectively with diverse audiences.
• Leadership qualities with strong team management skills and the ability to foster collaboration across departments.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

• 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)  
• A flexible approach to working arrangements.  
• Access to our enhanced pension scheme  
• Life assurance 
• Access to various health and wellbeing schemes, including the employee assistance programme. 

Homeless Link are seeking a Senior Policy Manager to join our Social Change directorate which leads the policy influencing and thought leadership activities within the homelessness sector and beyond.

Homeless Link is the national membership charity for frontline homeless agencies in England. With more than 750 members, we work to improve services and campaign for policy change that will help end homelessness and ensure that everyone has a place to call home and the support they need to keep it.

The policy team works to ensure we represent the voice of our members across all our strategic influencing. This is a dynamic role in which you’ll oversee policy activity, build relationships with our members, service providers, local authorities, civil servants, parliamentarians, and other key strategic stakeholders, and drive forward the visibility and impact of our policy work. You will be responsible for line managing the Policy Managers alongside the development and advancing of our policy positions. You will work across the team and with colleagues across the organisation to support the delivery of influencing campaigns and activity. This role is pivotal to achieving our vision of ending homelessness.

The successful candidate will be an excellent project manager, have strong communication and relationship building skills, experience in policy development, and knowledge of the current policy context in relation to homelessness. If you want to be at the forefront of change – this is the right job for you.  Visit our website for full details of the role and how to apply.

We are actively seeking to increase our diversity within our organisation and would greatly welcome applications from people with lived experience of homelessness, from a black or minority ethnic background and/or with a disability. 

ABOUT US

We are National Energy Action (NEA) – and our vision is to end fuel poverty. Our work to improve and promote energy efficiency brings social, environmental, housing and employment benefits.  We believe everyone should be able to afford to keep their homes warm and safe. However, low incomes, high energy bills and poor energy efficiency currently deny this to millions of households across the UK.  Never has this been more important than today. 

NEA’s teams are friendly, knowledgeable and are dedicated to what we do.  We are proud of our expertise and proud of the service we deliver to our clients. 

We offer colleagues a friendly, rewarding workplace and the chance to build a worthwhile career with a not-for-profit organisation that makes a genuine difference to people’s lives each and every day.

THE ROLE

This post provides an exciting and rewarding opportunity to help the charity build its profile among national stakeholders while delivering projects that seek to bring an end to fuel poverty and to the misery of cold homes. The role will largely focus on working with the UK Government and local authorities to ensure that efforts to decarbonise homes are in the best interests of NEA’s client group.

You will have responsibility for the production of NEA’s responses to relevant consultations and the ability to produce and deliver briefings on current relevant policies for internal and external audiences. This will include responding to and influencing Government policy across key areas with a particular focus on our work to ensure that energy markets work in the interests of fuel poor households.

You will have a key responsibility for analysing relevant aspects of policy at a local, national and UK level – you will also represent and enhance the co-ordination of NEA’s stakeholder’s relationships and help us capture key insights and impacts from our practical work to ensure these are reflected in policy positions and our advocacy. 

The post sits within the Policy and Advocacy Directorate and is part of a creative and caring team of professionals who bring a wide range of skills and expertise to this growing department. 

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO SUCCEED

You will have demonstrable experience of developing and/or managing projects in the fields of energy efficiency, community development and regeneration, housing, social policy or consumer issues.

It is important that you have an awareness of the environmental, social and economic problems of deprived areas and the roles of the public, private and voluntary sectors in tackling them. 

You will need good organisational skills, as well as excellent written and communication skills, as you will maintain appropriate records and data, and produce regular written reports on project progress. 

You will be an excellent communicator, with experience and understanding of how to effectively address the energy needs of low income, vulnerable or disadvantaged householders - with the desire to make a positive difference to people’s lives.

Knowledge of energy efficiency, particularly within the domestic sector and community buildings, is desirable.

The job description provides a list of the duties of the post and the person specification provides the list of essential and desirable criteria. 

WE ARE OFFERING:

• £33,931 to £38,594 (Points 23 – 28) (plus £3,300 London Weighting if applicable). New appointments are usually made at the starting point of the scale.
• 11.5% non-contributory pension.
• 25 days annual leave plus 3 additional days in between Christmas New Year Period when our offices close; plus, all public holidays per annum.
• Flexible working arrangements including the opportunity for hybrid working.
• Enhanced family friendly payments.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Employee benefits platform.

This is an exciting senior policy role in our committed policy team leading the fight to end child poverty in the UK. The development of a UK-wide child poverty strategy in government means this is a great time to join CPAG as we look to influence to influence policy makers to adopt our evidence-based policy solutions to child poverty.

We are looking for someone to take a lead role in developing evidence-based policy positions to support CPAG’s influencing and campaigns work. You will have knowledge of political processes and how external organisations can effect change. You will have a track record of producing high quality research and analysis, including policy briefings, on social policy issues. You will enjoy working collaboratively to identify policy issues and develop solutions, working closely with colleagues across the organisation as well as externally.

The postholder will be working in a fast moving, high profile and complex policy environment and will need to balance short term priorities with long term objectives. Current priorities include influencing the development and implementation of the forthcoming child poverty strategy, sharing analysis and expertise as part of the DWP’s review of universal credit, and monitoring the development of the green paper on the changes to disability benefits, and the white paper on employment.

We welcome applications from individuals with the skills and experience outlined and we can be flexible about working arrangements. We operate a hybrid working system and would be happy to discuss any flexibilities required. CPAG is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion which you can read more about in the job pack.

For more information about this post and to apply download the Senior Policy and Research Officer job pack.

Closing date for applications: Monday 7 July (midnight)

Interviews will be held in London on Monday 14 July

You’ll work closely with the Executive Director and Board of Trustees to lead strategicplanning, drive funding development, and support our governance, partnerships, andlong-term sustainability. This is a unique opportunity to help rebuild and future-proof avital grassroots charity at a time of transformation.

Role Purpose

The Strategic Development Officer will support the delivery of Kanlungan’snew strategic direction. You will help review and embed internal systems,contribute to funding and sustainability plans, and work alongsideleadership to ensure the organisation is equipped for long-term impact andaccountability.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Governance

• Support the development, implementation, and monitoring of the new strategic plan
• Coordinate strategic planning workshops with staff, trustees, and community partners
• Strengthen organisational policies, systems, and reporting mechanisms
• Assist the Executive Director in preparing reports and briefings for the Board

Fundraising & Development

• Map and assess potential funders and grant opportunities aligned with Kanlungan’s
• mission
• Identify and test new income streams, including individual giving, corporate
• sponsorship, community fundraising, and service-based models
• Draft and support the submission of high-quality funding proposals and applications
• Develop and maintain internal tracking systems for grants, reporting deadlines, and
• deliverables
• Maintain strong relationships with funders and contribute to timely reporting and
• impact evaluation
• Contribute to building a long-term funding strategy that reduces overreliance on
• restricted grants and strengthens financial sustainability

Organisational Sustainability & Partnerships

• Contribute to developing Kanlungan’s Theory of Change and impact
• measurement framework
• Identify and support the co-design of partnerships, networks, and
• collaborative initiatives
• Assist in preparing communications to funders, partners, and supporters

Person Specification

Essential

• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, programme development, or
• organisational development
• Experience writing funding applications and working with funders
• Strong project management and coordination skills
• Excellent communication, writing, and interpersonal abilities
• Understanding of racial justice, migrant rights, or grassroots organising

Desirable

• Knowledge of charity governance and compliance
• Familiarity with community-based or migrant-led organisations
• Experience working in culturally diverse and multilingual contexts

We are looking for an ambitious and strategic Development Director to shape the future and income streams for our museum & mill . This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced individual to build a ground up strategy and lead the development of an ambitious organisation.

Thanks to generous funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Pilgrim Trust, The Headley Trust, Granada Foundation & Arts Council England, The Silk Heritage Trust is embarking on an ambitious 18-month development programme Strengthening The Future of Macclesfield's Heritage.The Trust is working to establish The Silk Museum and Paradise Mill as a national centre for silk heritage and heritage textile crafts. Strengthening The Future of Macclesfield’s Heritage moves the Trust towards this vision, strengthening fundraising capacity plus staff and board skills, to provide a solid foundation for the future.

The Trust has achieved a great deal over the last 5 years, securing funding from public sources, trusts, and foundations. This newly created role will build on this success and attract substantial support from individuals and corporate sources. It involves working with internal and external stakeholders to raise funds for core funding, projects, and capital campaigns. It is envisaged that the post-holder will work with Trustees and staff to establish a Development sub-group to inform and drive this work. Strategic planning and communications are key to this. This role will drive forward new plans for individual giving, philanthropy and fundraising to significantly rebuild the Trust’s reserves.

Role:

To lead the Trust’s work towards financial resilience through broadening its income streams

To increase voluntary income from funders and philanthropists by 50%, reflating free reserves, through an ambitious Development & Fundraising Strategy

To initiate, lead, and deliver projects to develop and transform the work, premises, and staff of the Silk Museum & Paradise Mill, working with consultancy support to:

· Develop a 3-5 year business plan

· Cost and plan options for tackling the site:

o Limitations to accessibility and visitor welcome

o Constraints to income generation

o significant challenges to building maintenance, environmental sustainability, care, and display of our collections

o rising energy costs

· Secure funding for major conservation, building repairs and organisational development.

To build a new supporter community and membership offer to attract supporters and philanthropists for the Trust’s development plans

To build and lead strong relationships with partners for collaboration, fundraising, and sponsorship

To drive strong working relationships and communication with Museum staff, volunteers, and Trustees, to develop a broad fundraising ethos, including training and mentoring to Trustees and Museum staff

To keep current with fundraising sector developments, approaches, and opportunities

Specific Responsibilities and Duties:

Development

· Review and develop the Trust’s Development & Fundraising Strategy, identifying and pursuing fundraising opportunities, campaigns, and funding applications in line with this strategy, including:

o Trusts and foundations

o Statutory funders

o Corporate support and partnerships

o a new legacies programme, Supporters, and individual giving programmes

· Maximise income and in-kind support through fundraising activities onsite and online, including events and sponsorship, to engage current supporters and cultivate new relationships.

· Ensure that all fundraising activities are delivered professionally and timely to ensure maximum and meaningful engagement

· Manage the evaluation of fundraising activities and prepare and submit reports to key stakeholders.

· Deliver reporting for statutory funders, ensuring that the museum delivers on its reporting requirements in a timely manner.

General responsibilities and duties

· Oversee the work of the Programming Team (Senior Curator, Paradise Mill; Museum Curator; Community Engagement Programmer) in delivering, evaluating, and reporting on existing funded programmes, including Arts Council CIP, Pilgrim Trust, Granada Foundation, Foyle Foundation, and Macclesfield Town Council.

· Contribute to the success and culture of The Silk Heritage Trust

· Interact and cooperate proactively with all employees, trustees, and volunteers, ensuring good teamwork.

· Manage performance of staff, volunteers, and researchers as appropriate and in line with the Trust’s performance management processes.

· Make best use of technology across our activities.

· Support effective communications and promotion of The Silk Museum and Paradise Mill

· Work flexibly at times and on occasions that connect with the needs of audiences and communities.

· Ensure we are adhering to and compliant with our policies, processes, and statutory obligations.

· Help to ensure any barriers to equality of opportunity are removed and to eliminate unfair and unlawful discrimination, giving everyone an equal chance to learn, work and live free from discrimination and prejudice.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and target driven individual with experience of delivering investment from wide range of funding streams. The successful candidate will have a passion for storytelling, relationship building and strong negotiation, networking, and stewardship skills. You will know the complexities of working with funders and stakeholders and are able to develop strong long-term relationships, resulting in investment.

Diversity and equality within our workforce, programmes and approaches is crucial to our mission of being inclusive and relevant to our communities. We want everyone to feel welcome. We, therefore, particularly welcome applications from candidates under-represented at The Silk Museum and within the heritage sector, including Global Majority candidates and/or candidates with disabilities.

Employer Policy Specialist

Working Hours: 0.6FTE (full-time equivalent 37.5 hours). There is a degree of flexibility surrounding the working hours which will be determined by the demands of the role.

Salary: 0.6FTE: £40,658 (the full-time equivalent salary is: £67,763).

Start Date: 1st September 2025.

Reporting to: Director of Public Affairs & Policy

Deadline for applications: Friday 18th July 2025, 5pm

Interviews: Interviews will be conducted online on Thursday 24th July

Overview

The DfE has nominated CST as the employer representative for academy trusts for specific purposes (for example, the school support staff negotiating body).  The postholder will be required to work directly with the Department for Education at a senior level to undertake the duties associated with this employer representative role.  CST also wishes to strengthen its support to members on wider matters of employer policy. There is significant scope to shape and develop this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Have a detailed understanding of the terms and conditions of employment of teaching and support staff and the workforce issues affecting the education sector, particularly those influencing recruitment and retention of staff.

• The ability to build relationships with key stakeholders (members, senior DfE officials and ministers) and work closely with other employer representative organisations.

• Working closely with the CEO and Deputy CEO, build relationships at senior level with trade unions (leadership, teacher and support staff unions).

• Lead on developing CST’s employer policy and guidance, working with our members and commanding their support and respect, and working closely with the policy team.

• Support the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Public Affairs and Policy to influence and respond to government policy in respect of employer policy, including drafting responses to government consultations and being our representative on the DfE’s formally constituted groups.

• Provide professional support and guidance to members on matters relating to employer policy, within the restrictions of what we are insured to do as a professional body.

• Support our HR professional community.

• Speak with authority at events and conferences as CST’s nominated representative on employer policy.

• Offer support to the wider CST policy team in other areas that fall within the postholder’s experience or expertise. This may include occasionally deputising for other team members for example covering for annual leave or sickness absence.

• Any other duties and responsibilities that may be delegated by the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive or Director of Public Affairs and Policy from time to time.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Likely educated to degree level (or holding a similar professional qualification or experience) with significant knowledge and experience of employment matters within the education sector and employer policy.

• The ideal candidate will have experience working at senior level likely within an educational, policy or consultancy setting. Knowledge of schools and the trust sector is essential as is the ability to respond to issues in a way which conveys the practical realities of working in schools.

• A sound understanding of the differences between academy trusts and the maintained sector.

• Secure knowledge of legislation, regulations and policy that affect school trusts.

• Authority and gravitas with the ability to speak up at meetings with senior officials with the required diplomacy and at all times with the members’ interests in mind.

• People-centred, with excellent relational skills, adept at forming and maintaining positive relationships with colleagues, members and senior external stakeholders (including policy makers, employer representative organisations and trade unions).

• Output focused, able to execute a range of communications across channels efficiently.

• Fluent and precise, an excellent communicator who writes well.

• The ability to analyse detail and distil key points, identifying matters of concern or interest to school trusts.

• Highly organised, with the ability to prioritise and work to tight deadlines, including turning around high-quality responses to members and DfE in short timescales.

• Someone who embodies the Nolan Principles and acts with integrity and discretion.

• Aligned with CST’s aims to promote education for public benefit.

• Skilled at working remotely as part of a close-knit team. Whilst this position is remote (home-based) there will be the requirement to attend in person meetings from time to time.