Interim Policy Manager

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
• Ability to analyse policy issues and propose solutions - demonstrating political awareness and sensitivity to different viewpoints
• Experience of using a range of data/information sources to inform evidence-based policy development
• 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, and our Equal Opportunities Monitoring form are available to download from: 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 dependent on skills and experience (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

To apply, please submit the following via the 'Apply' button, 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.

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