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Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager, RIVER ACTION UK
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Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager, RIVER ACTION UK
Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager
Salary: From £45,000 – £55,000 per annum Contract: Permanent Hours: 37.5 per week (Monday to Friday) Holiday: 25 days per year plus bank holidays Flexible Benefits:
- Additional 3 days holiday between Christmas and New Year
- Flexitime policy
- 5% pension contribution
Location: Home-based with regular travel to/within London and across the UK Reports To: Head of Department Probationary Period: 3 months
We are River Action We are a small, agile campaigning organisation on a mission to rescue the UK’s rivers from pollution and water shortages. Our work combines community action, public mobilisation, government advocacy, legal action—and holding polluters accountable. Together, we’re restructuring how Britain protects, restores, and thinks about its waterways. Their systems won’t change unless we make them.
About the Role
Blue skies no longer mean clear rivers. British rivers are at breaking point — from agricultural runoff to runaway sewage. We need your determination, creativity, and strategic nous to drive change.
As Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager, you’ll expand River Action’s political influence with a renewed focus on water scarcity, security and justice, sewage/chemical pollution, and sector reform. This isn’t just another job; it’s a call to arms for a team of passionate environmental action-takers.
You’ll harness your policy expertise, writing finesse, and relationship-building skills to hold polluters and decision-makers to account while amplifying our on-the-ground campaigns. Your mission? Ensure River Action’s voice is centres in the corridors of power.
What You’ll Do
Core Responsibilities
- Lead the development of River Action’s overall policy strategy, crafting clear narratives on sewage pollution, industrial water discharge, and water scarcity to align with our campaign goals.
- Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure our advocacy is evidence-based and strategically robust.
- Craft persuasive policy analysis, briefings, Whitehall-aligned consultation responses, and high-level messaging for Westminster.
- Build and strengthen relationships with MPs, civil servants, industry leaders, and cross-sector allies—ensuring our policies resonate as both urgent and actionable.
- Monitor political/policy trends, drafting policy responses and attending pivotal events like our Water Pollution APPG and APPG events.
- Partner with grassroots activists and stakeholders, enabling local groups to drive change by empowering their advocacy efforts.
- Bridge policy and campaign worlds, ensuring spokespeople and communications draw from clear, evidence-backed briefings.
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Additional Duties
- Commit to continuous learning through training and personal development.
- Adhere to confidentiality policies, health & safety protocols, and organisational values.
- Champion an inclusive team culture, collaborating cross-functionally to meet our urgent deadlines.
Travel Logistics: Home-based with regular trips to London and the UK. Excessive travel or overnight stays will be compensated under River Action’s standard procedures.
What You’ll Bring
Essential
- Proven seniority in policy advocacy, preferably in the environment or water sectors.
- Parliamentary or governmental experience (e.g., drafting conversations, liaising with stakeholders, understanding UK policy frameworks).
- Deep understanding of UK river politics, water sector reforms, and evidence-driven analysis (climate risks, biodiversity loss, economic impacts).
- Talent for translating complex policy into compelling narratives for decision-makers.
- Bulletproof writing skills—structured, authoritative, and engaging across levels (executives, media, communities).
- Experience navigating fast-paced campaigns with flexibility, adaptability, and a solution-oriented approach.
- Willingness to travel and engage across teams, even pitching in where support is needed.
A Plus
- Prior experience with All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) or cross-government advocacy strategies.
- Familiarity with legal consequences of pollution regulation or third-sector compliance.
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Why Join Us
- Change-makers only. Impact isn’t vanity—it’s real rivers restored, local communities protected, and polluters answered for.
- Political muscle. Ubiquitous presence in Westminster, but also on the ground with communities and activists working on the frontlines of waterwars.
- Agile, outcome-led culture. Skim the pyramid—your leadership and expertise will shape every layer from campaign creatives to strategy.
- Grow with us. Invest in your skills through mentorship, training and developmental opportunities within River Action.
Diversity & Fair Application
Studies show that many underrepresented people (especially women and people of colour omit applying completely when they don’t see themselves reflected).
- Fit is flexible. Past skills matter—future potential matters more. If the spirit of the role resonates more than the gotchas, send us that vibe instead.
How to Apply
Submit to: jobs@riveractionuk.com Purpose of email (Subject Line): “Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager”
In PDF format, deliver in a single email:
- Curriculum Vitae (up to 2 pages) – Highlight achievements and contexts.
- Cover Letter (2 pages) – Outline your fit, missions alignment, and motivation for River Action.
- Policy Briefing (2 pages) written convinced tone, tailored for parliamentarians.
Focus: Water Scarcity and Water Justice—address:
- Key root causes of scarcity inaction.
- Analysis from rivers to biodiversity to economic prosperity.
- Policy gaps, handlers, and short-term recommendations for decision-makers.
Cutoff: Rolling review by 5:00 PM on 15th July.
Next steps:
- Shortlisted candidates move to an initial 15-minute interview.
- Potential for a panel interview (schedules available July 19 or 26).
- Indicate availability in your letter or email.
Questions? Contact us at jobs@riveractionuk.com.
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