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Senior Policy Officer
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Senior Policy Officer
Salary: £39,590 per annum
Location: Hybrid working from Bristol, Swindon, Birmingham, Manchester, York, Newcastle, Cambridge or Portsmouth
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Interview period: Early September 2026
Overview
Our client is a UK based public organisation working to protect, promote and enhance England’s historic environment.
They are seeking an experienced Senior Policy Officer to lead and support strategic policy work relating to devolution, housing, investment and economic growth.
Working within a specialist policy team, you will provide expert advice, manage day-to-day policy activity and strengthen engagement with government departments, public bodies and sector partners.
You will help demonstrate how heritage can contribute to successful places, stronger communities, sustainable development and government growth programmes. This role requires strong policy expertise, influencing skills and the ability to build productive relationships with senior stakeholders.
Responsibilities
- Lead and support strategic policy work relating to devolution, housing, investment and economic growth.
- Provide expert advice to government departments and internal decision-makers.
- Develop evidence-based policy recommendations and strategic insight.
- Manage day-to-day activity supporting agreed policy priorities and organisational objectives.
- Strengthen relationships with government departments, public bodies and external partners.
- Influence policy development to ensure the economic, social and environmental value of heritage is recognised.
- Identify opportunities for heritage to contribute to housing, regeneration and investment programmes.
- Support policy activity relating to creative industries, tourism, public land and wider economic development.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders inside and outside the heritage sector.
- Negotiate and influence with authority, professionalism and sensitivity.
- Coordinate partner engagement and support constructive participation in policy development.
- Prepare high-quality briefings, reports, submissions, presentations and policy advice.
- Support the design and delivery of programmes responding to government priorities.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across policy, evidence, regional and operational teams.
- Monitor changes in government policy and assess their potential impact.
- Represent the organisation at meetings, working groups and external events.
- Ensure policy engagement is focused on measurable outcomes and corporate priorities.
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Requirements
Applicants will be assessed against the following essential criteria:
- Experience of strategic public policy work.
- Experience relating to devolution, housing, investment programmes or a comparable policy area.
- Experience contributing to policy development within government, a public body or an arm’s-length organisation.
- Strong negotiating and influencing skills.
- The ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders with authority and sensitivity.
- Experience producing clear, accurate and evidence-based policy advice.
- Strong research and analytical skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
- The ability to build productive relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
- The ability to work collaboratively across teams and professional disciplines.
- An outcome-focused and practical approach to policy development.
- An interest in heritage and an understanding of its economic, social and environmental value.
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Experience relating to regeneration, economic development, planning, public investment or central government policy would be beneficial.
Benefits
- Defined benefit pension scheme with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
- 28 days’ annual leave.
- Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
- Consideration of job sharing, part-time working and compressed hours.
- Professional learning and development opportunities.
- Corporate discounts.
- Free entry to participating heritage attractions across England.
- Support for employee wellbeing and work-life balance.
- An inclusive and collaborative working environment.
- Reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.
Application Process
Applications will be assessed against the essential criteria listed in the Requirements section.
The recruitment process uses a structured, question-based application system designed to reduce bias and focus assessment on skills and suitability. A CV may not be required during the initial application stage.
Candidates should provide accurate, original responses that reflect their own experience. Artificial intelligence or other support tools should only be used as assistance and should not replace the candidate’s personal account of their knowledge and experience.
Interviews are provisionally expected to take place in early September 2026.
Our client is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds. Applications are particularly encouraged from candidates who are currently underrepresented within the organisation.
Flexible working requests and reasonable adjustments can be discussed during the recruitment process.
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