Director of Policy and Research

Director of Policy and Research
London or Leicester (with hybrid working)

About us

We’re Learning and Work Institute, an independent policy, research and development organisation dedicated to promoting lifelong learning, full employment and inclusion.

We're focused on the big questions. How do we help more people find work and build careers in a changing jobs market? How do we help people to be active and engaged citizens? How can more adults develop their skills over their lifetime?

We are currently seeking a Director of Policy and Research to join our team on a permanent, full-time basis.

The Benefits

- Salary of £75,000 – £92,500 per annum, depending on experience and location
- 25 days' holiday increasing to 27 days after 5 years’ service
- Extra 6 shutdown days in addition to public holidays and annual leave allowance
- Generous company pension scheme with 8% employer contribution
- Group Life Assurance 3*salary
- Hybrid working (with 40%-60% of your time in the office)
- Flexible working practices
- Employee Development Scheme
- Retailer Discounts
- Enhanced occupational maternity, adoption, paternity and shared parental pay
- Enhanced occupational sick pay
- Eye care scheme
- Employee Assistance & Wellbeing Programme
- Silver award in Investors in People

This is an exceptional opportunity for a high calibre Policy and Research professional with experience delivering complex and high-profile programmes to join our impactful organisation.

Your leadership and expertise will play a vital role in shaping the direction of research, analysis and policy development, helping us to achieve a more prosperous and fair society where learning and work provide opportunities for everyone to realise their full potential.

Plus, our hybrid working arrangement empowers you to strike a harmonious balance whilst our location options mean that you will be enabled to work from your closest office.

So, if you’re ready to embark on a rewarding journey of leadership, innovation and societal impact, then apply today!

The Role

As our Director of Policy and Research, you will lead a team of around 30 experts in research, analysis and policy development, generating over £2.5 million in programme income and achieving a significant impact in Policy and practice.

Working with senior colleagues and the Board, you will act as Deputy CEO, setting the agenda for our Policy and Research work. As the credible and influential voice on learning, skills and employment, you will apply your expertise to engage with local and national government, funders, the media and wider stakeholders.

You will lead our programme of research and development, working with the Board and as part of the senior management team to agree priorities and develop programmes of work across learning, skills and employment.

Leading business development and fundraising, you will support colleagues to identify and secure income through proactive approaches to funders as well as responding to tenders and calls for proposals.

Additionally, you will:

- Lead our small external affairs team
- Act as a voice on the national stage with the media and speak at events
- Manage relationships with senior policymakers, stakeholders, thinktanks and funders

About You

To be considered as our Director of Policy and Research, you will need:

- Experience delivering complex and high-profile programmes of research and/or development work
- Experience of learning, skills and/or employment Policy and practice
- Experience leading a range of research and development approaches
- Experience of income generation
- Experience leading high performing teams
- Experience building relationships with national and local government, delivery organisations, partners and funders

The closing date for this role is 15th March 2024.

Other organisations may call this role Head of Policy and Research, Director of Research and Development, Policy and Research Lead, Director of Policy and Research Programmes, or Director of Policy and Strategy.

Webrecruit and the Learning and Work Institute are equal opportunities employers, value diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.

So, if you’re looking for an impactful and rewarding role as a Director of Policy and Research, please apply via the button shown. This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £75,000.00-£92,500.00 per year

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: ELCTG1503/CC