Policy Manager (Interim)

The Russell Group, which represents 24 leading research-intensive universities in the UK, is recruiting a policy professional to work within their Higher Education Policy team. This appointment is full time on a fixed-term 10 months contract (maternity leave cover) starting in May 2025. Secondments from other organisations will be considered.

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 particular university funding and financial sustainability, skills, and regulation
• 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  

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:

• Substantial experience of working in policy analysis and development, and advocacy work
• 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 skills, higher education regulation and/or funding 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 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 and flexible working polices.

Closing date for all applications: 5pm, Wednesday 5^th February 2025

Interviews are likely to be scheduled for the week commencing 24^th February 2025.

Only applicants invited to interview will be contacted. If you have not heard by 21^st February 2025, your application will not have been successful.

To apply, please submit the following by email via the button below by the application deadline:

• An up-to-date CV (max. 2 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)
• 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 Paul Purcell on 020 3816 1314 or at Paul.Purcell@russellgroup.ac.uk.