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Organisation: Transport Focus
Role: Head of Policy
Location: London or Manchester
Salary: £65,000 gross per annum
Benefits: Generous pension scheme and 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), employee assistance programme, flexible working (minimum 2 days a week in the office).
Applications should be sent by an email via the button below by midday Tuesday 4th March 2025.
Transport Focus is the voice of Britain’s transport users. We use our powerful insight to monitor, challenge and identify issues as they arise, to improve the user experience. Key to our success is our outstanding stakeholder network and the way this is leveraged to achieve results.
We are an executive non departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Transport (DfT). We are led by a board of non-executive directors appointed by DfT, Scottish and Welsh Governments and the London Assembly, and run by a Senior Leadership Team which is split between Manchester and London.
Role outline
This senior role will work across the organisation, and with key stakeholder organisations, to ensure clear and aligned policy positions for the transport sector. With deep awareness of the policy landscape and priorities for the sector, across all transport modes, you will build strong relationships with senior industry and government stakeholders, including policy makers and ministers. The role holder will be expected to have a good working knowledge of UK politics and the broader policy context, identifying potential risks and mitigation strategies and be able to position Transport Focus’s work within this.
The policy team is highly integrated and collaborative. The role will work closely with other teams in interpreting insight, developing analysis, and collaborating on briefings and responses. You will be expected to develop and empower your team to maximise their potential. You will need to have or acquire a broad understanding of the challenges and opportunities surrounding the transport industry and their impact on users. There are currently offices in London and Manchester. There is an expectation to work out of one of the offices, but there are opportunities for flexible working.
What you will do:
- Lead the planning, commissioning, and delivery of Transport Focus’s policy workstream. This will include consultation responses
- Coordinate Transport Focus’s input to the Department for Transport’s Rail Reform Programme and any other industry wide reforms
- Partner with colleagues to translate and distil salient policy developments within the transport industry. Support teams to develop and implement strategies around regulatory developments in these subject matter areas
- Maintain and strengthen relationships with internal and external stakeholders to improve awareness and understanding of policy positions and to develop and refine our messaging around complex policy topics
- Lead on and deliver specific strategic programmes of work across all transport modes
- Provide expert advice and support to Directors and Chief Executive as required
- Prioritise work to deliver the objectives in the Business Plan while also being able to respond to external developments
- Deliver briefings and presentations. Represent Transport Focus on boards, at events and in media interviews
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams within Transport Focus to integrate transport policy into broader projects.
About you:
- Extensive experience, knowledge and understanding of high-level policy development
- Able to quickly read, analyse and summarise large amounts of complex information
- Considerable experience in high level stakeholder engagement
- Expertise in the management and delivery of multiple projects and programmes of work
- Excellent communication, team-building and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships, work collaboratively and coordinate cross-functional teams
- An advocate for change, demonstrating belief and passion in the evolution of the organisation as well as empowering innovation and creativity
- Leads a team with diversity of thought, naturally challenging accepted norms.
- Demonstrates empathy, integrity, and emotional intelligence
- Able to think strategically, creatively, and critically about the best course of action to achieve desired objectives, with the capability to reach the right outcome as quickly as possible
- Understanding and appreciation of transport and its associated challenges.
Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
Transport Focus is committed to representing all transport users. Our team members will play a large part in inspiring the organisation to think differently in terms of approach to this commitment. We must show that our work is representative, relevant, and useful. Diversity and inclusion is key to being able to do this effectively. We believe that everyone in society deserves the same chances in life. Having a diverse and inclusive organisation means we can tap into different perspectives and experiences to generate new ideas and initiatives, which will make our work more relevant and useful. We want Transport Focus to be a place for everybody and anybody to work. We aim to build teams that draw upon the widest range of experiences, talent, and ideas, and for that reason welcome applications from the broadest range of backgrounds and communities.
Basic salary:
£65,000 gross per annum
Benefits:
- All staff have access to the Civil Service Pension scheme where the pension is based on career average earnings.
- Full time staff have 30 days annual leave per annum plus bank holidays.
- Access to employee assistance programme.
- Transport Focus is a flexible employer.
- Generous sick pay scheme.
- Hybrid work options.
- Generous paid maternity / parental leave. Paid volunteer days for staff.
How to apply
For an informal, confidential conversation about this opportunity, please contact our recruitment partners from Camilleri Appointments:
Karen Camilleri: karen@camilleri-appointments.co.uk or
Lara Aimar: lara@camilleri-appointments.co.uk
To apply, please submit a CV supported by a covering letter of no more than 1 side of A4 outlining your motivation for applying for this role and highlight how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of the role of head of policy as set out in this brief.
Applications should be sent by an email by midday Tuesday 4th March 2025.
Timetable for recruitment:
- Panel interviews are scheduled to go ahead Monday 17th March in Manchester.
Please be aware that shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete an online psychometric assessment prior to the interview date.
If you require an adjustment to enable you to apply for the post in a way that best suits you, please contact the HR team at recruitment@transportfocus.org.uk before you submit your application.
