Russell Group of Universities
Policy Manager
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Vacancies for two Policy Manager roles
This is a rare opportunity to join a high-performing Strategic Policy team, working with 24 leading UK universities. We’re looking for two outstanding policy professionals for the following roles:
Policy Manager (Research & Innovation) – to lead our research and innovation portfolio
Policy Manager (Higher Education) – to lead our admissions and widening participation policy work while also delivering substantive cross-cutting projects across the wider policy portfolio.
Separate Candidate Packs containing vacancy descriptions are available for each role on the Russell Group Career site (https://russellgroup-ac-uk.pinpointhq.com/). Applicants are encouraged to review the relevant pack for full details of responsibilities and requirements of the role they are interested in applying for.
Through collaboration and advocacy, the Russell Group works to advance and champion the positive economic, societal and cultural contributions of our universities. The Russell Group represents the interests of our 24 university members at the highest level of government, as well as with key research and innovation funders, with business, third-sector partners, regulators, and internationally with like-minded bodies.
As Policy Manager, you will provide robust and clear evidence and persuasive advocacy to support the delivery of the Russell Group’s strategic objectives. While the specific policy portfolios differ between the two roles, both involve policy development, analysis, advocacy and stakeholder engagement at a senior level. Both roles involve, but are not limited to, the following responsibilities in each policy area:
- Leading the development and direction of Russell Group’s policy work, including monitoring trends, identifying opportunities and initiating new strands of work and engagement where appropriate. This will include managing projects and carrying out analysis that may involve complex data analysis.
- 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.
- Writing high-quality, persuasive and evidence-based briefing papers, consultation responses, and reports on relevant issues for a variety of audiences.
- Contributing directly to public facing outputs including press statements, blogs, opinion pieces and occasional media interviews.
- Representing Russell Group interests externally at events and meetings with stakeholders and policy makers, including public speaking.
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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 policy analysis, development and influencing.
- Experience in leading projects and taking ownership of significant areas of work, from inception through to delivery.
- Experience of building relationships with, and influencing, diverse and senior stakeholders, preferably including government, business, regulators or other sector organisations.
- The ability to develop expertise quickly in new and complex policy areas, apply sound judgement, and identify the implications of emerging policy developments.
- Strong analytical skills, including the ability to assess evidence, interpret data and develop persuasive, evidence-based policy recommendations, while demonstrating political awareness and sensitivity to different viewpoints.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex issues clearly and persuasively to different audiences and to represent the organisation externally.
- A high degree of attention to detail in producing persuasive, evidence-based conclusions across complex policy issues and addressed to a range of audiences.
- The ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, managing competing priorities and adapting to changing organisational and policy priorities.
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For either role, experience of working in research and innovation policy OR admissions and widening participation policy work is desirable but not essential.
Our offices are based in the heart of Westminster, with proximity to key stakeholders and easy access to public transport links. To maximise effective team-based working, we offer flexibility for staff to work from home up to two days a week, subject to work priorities. Benefits include:
- Membership of the USS pension scheme
- 25 days of Annual Leave at start, increasing by 1 day annually to a maximum of 30 days
- Discretionary closure days at Easter and Christmas holidays (in addition to Public Holidays)
- Private healthcare insurance
- Employee Assistance Programme
The starting salary range for both roles is £52,000-£57,000. This is dependent on skills and experience. A higher salary may be available for exceptional and highly experienced candidates.
Closing date for all applications: 17:00 on Wednesday, 30 September 2026
To apply, please visit our Careers site (https://russellgroup-ac-uk.pinpointhq.com/) and select which role you are applying for. Applicants are asked to submit the following by the closing date:
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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)
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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
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We ask all applicants to complete an Equal Opportunities Monitoring form which you can download from our Careers site.
Further information on the Russell Group can be found at https://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/
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