Policy Manager

Policy Manager

The Russell Group

Location: London, Hybrid

Salary: £51,000 to £56,000

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Permanent

Placed On: 2nd April 2026

Closes: 29th April 2026

The Russell Group represents 24 university members at the highest level with our government, key research and innovation funders, with business, and with other stakeholders.

We’re looking for an outstanding policy manager to undertake the following:

• Leading the development and direction of Russell Group’s innovation policy work, including initiating new strands of work and activity where appropriate.
• Proactively monitoring policy developments to identify potential issues, opportunities, and challenges.
• Advocating for the Russell Group and its policy positions with a range of senior stakeholders and decision makers to influence government policy.
• Fostering strong working relationships with existing key partners and stakeholders and identifying and building new relationships where needed.
• Managing and delivering research projects. This will include conducting analysis and research that may involve complex data analysis.
• Writing high-quality, persuasive and evidence-based briefing papers, consultation responses, and reports on relevant issues for a variety of audiences.

Candidates must demonstrate that they can manage and prioritise a challenging and varied portfolio of work. Applicants should also be able to demonstrate:

• Substantial experience of working in policy analysis and development.
• Experience of networking and influencing diverse and senior groups of stakeholders, preferably involving advocacy work with business and/or government.
• 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 and initiating new workstreams.
• 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 analysing/using a range of data/information sources to inform evidence-based policy development.
• Experience of working in research and innovation policy is desirable but not essential.

Our Candidate Pack, which includes the vacancy description for the role, and our Equal Opportunities Monitoring form are available from here.

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

The starting salary will be in the range of £51,000-£56,000. This is dependent on skills and experience - a higher salary may be available for an exceptional candidate.

Our offices are based in Westminster, with proximity to key stakeholders. We operate a flexible working policy where staff may choose to work from home up to two days a week. Benefits include a generous defined benefits 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 29th April 2026

To apply, please submit the following via the 'Apply' button above (e: rg.1@russellgroup.ac.uk) by the deadline:

1. An up-to-date CV (max. 2 sides of A4) including: your current and past employment, your degree qualifications, 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
3. An Equal Opportunities Monitoring form

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