Policy Manager

The Russell Group, which represents 24 leading research-intensive universities in the UK, is recruiting a Policy Manager for their Research and Innovation Policy team. This is a permanent full-time post.

The role involves, but is not limited to, the following:

• Taking ownership for the development of, and advocacy for, Russell Group policy positions within a number of higher education policy areas in the research and innovation policy team, in particular our work on Research policy
• Carrying out analysis and research, including data analysis
• Managing research projects and outputs
• Managing links with key stakeholders in business, government, our universities and other partners
• Writing and contributing to high quality, persuasive and evidence-based papers for a variety of audiences including government, member universities, and policymakers
• Contributing directly to communications outputs including press statements, blogs, opinion pieces and occasional media interviews.
• Using this work and other insights to lobby for outcomes that will be of benefit to our members and their partners.
• Contributing to the wider strategic vision of the Russell Group

Candidates will need to demonstrate that they can manage and prioritise a challenging and varied portfolio of work, meet tight deadlines, pick up a range of topics quickly and with authority, and work cooperatively and flexibly as part of a team. Applicants should be able to demonstrate the following:

• Experience of working in policy analysis and development
• Project management skills and experience of owning projects and policy areas
• Ability to pick up and manage new policy areas quickly
• Capability to respond effectively to rapidly changing policy environments including by showing sound judgement in re-prioritising workplans
• Ability to analyse policy issues and propose solutions - demonstrating political awareness and sensitivity to different viewpoints
• A high degree of attention to detail in producing persuasive, evidence-based conclusions across complex policy issues and addressed to a range of audiences
• Experience of using a range of data/information sources to inform evidence-based policy development
• Experience of networking and influencing diverse and senior groups of stakeholders
• Ability to communicate diplomatically in person and in writing, including representing organisations externally
• Experience of working in higher education and/or research and innovation policy is desirable

Our Candidate Pack, which includes a full vacancy description for the role (including a detailed list of key competencies), and our Equal Opportunities Monitoring form are available to download from the Russell Group website: http://russellgroup.ac.uk/about/vacancies/

We welcome applications from people whatever their race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion and belief, or age. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion as a core part of our values, which are stated in the Candidate Pack.

The starting salary will be in the range of £50,000-£55,000. This is dependent on skills and experience and a higher salary may be available for an exceptional candidate.

The post is based in our Central London office with flexibility for home working for part of each week. Benefits include a generous career average pension, enhanced parental leave/pay and flexible working polices, an interest-free travelcard loan and a cycle scheme.

Closing date for all applications: 5pm, Wednesday 6^th November 2024

First and second round interviews are likely to be scheduled for the weeks commencing 25^th November and 2^nd December 2024 respectively.

Only applicants invited to interview will be contacted. If you have not heard by 21^st November 2024 your application will not have been successful.

To apply, please submit the following to rg.1@russellgroup.ac.uk by the application deadline:

1. An up-to-date curriculum vitae (max. two sides of A4) including:

• details of your current and past employment
• your degree qualifications including subjects and grades
• two references (your current/most recent employer and a former line manager)                                                                            

2. A cover letter no more than two sides of A4 addressing the following points:

• how your knowledge, skills and experience meet the requirements of the role
• why you are interested in working for the Russell Group

For a confidential discussion, please contact Stephanie Smith on 020 3816 1310 or at Stephanie.Smith@russellgroup.ac.uk.