This is a rare opportunity to join a high-performing Strategic Policy team, working with 24 leading UK universities. We’re looking for two outstanding policy professionals for the following roles:

• Policy Manager (Research & Innovation) – to lead our research and innovation portfolio

• Policy Manager (Higher Education) – to lead our admissions and widening participation policy work while also delivering substantive cross-cutting projects across the wider policy portfolio.

Separate Candidate Packs are available for each role at: https://russellgroup-ac-uk.pinpointhq.com/ 

Both roles involve:

• Leading the development and direction of our policy work, including monitoring trends, identifying opportunities, initiating new work and engagement, managing projects and undertaking analysis, including complex data analysis
• Advocating for our policy positions with senior stakeholders and decision makers to influence government policy
• Fostering strong working relationships with key partners and stakeholders
• Writing high-quality, persuasive and evidence-based briefings, consultation responses and reports
• Contributing to public-facing outputs

Candidates will need to demonstrate:

• Substantial experience of policy analysis, development and influencing
• Experience in leading projects and taking ownership of significant areas of work
• Experience of building relationships with, and influencing, diverse and senior stakeholders, preferably including government, business, regulators or other sector organisations
• The ability to develop expertise quickly in new and complex policy areas
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to assess evidence, interpret data and develop persuasive, evidence-based policy recommendations, while demonstrating political awareness and sensitivity to different viewpoints
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• For either role, experience of research and innovation policy OR admissions and widening participation policy is desirable but not essential

Our offices are based in Westminster, but we offer flexibility to work from home up to two days a week, subject to priorities. Benefits include:

• Membership of USS pension scheme
• 25 days of Annual Leave, rising to 30 days
• Easter and Christmas closure days
• Private healthcare insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme