Deputy Director, Policy and Research

WEBRECRUIT; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 64,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

A not-for-profit organisation in the UK is seeking a Deputy Director, Policy and Research to lead strategic plans and oversee key projects. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in policy-relevant research and business development, demonstrating capability in managing stakeholder relationships to drive policy change. This full-time role offers a competitive salary between £64,450 and £77,880 and includes flexible working arrangements. Join a committed team making a significant impact in the area of employment and skills policy.

Benefits

Salary of £64,450 - £77,880 per annum

31 days' holiday increasing to 33 days after 5 years

Company pension scheme with 8% employer contribution

Enhanced occupational maternity and sick pay

Hybrid working

Employee Development Scheme

Qualifications

• Experience of developing, overseeing, and delivering programmes of policy-relevant research at a high level.
• Experience of building senior-level relationships with external stakeholders for impact and influence.
• A track record of delivering national and/or local policy change.

Responsibilities

• Lead a key part of our client’s strategic plan, overseeing all projects and activities.
• Shape an ongoing programme of research and impact work.
• Write and/or co-ordinate responses to reactive research and evaluation tenders.

Skills

Policy-relevant research

Business development

Stakeholder management

National/local policy change

Advanced research skills

Knowledge of UK employment policy

Job description

Deputy Director, Policy and Research

London or Leicester (with hybrid working)

The Organisation

Our client is a not‑for‑profit organisation that focuses on supporting better working environments and benefits packages for people across the country.

They’re now looking for a Deputy Director, Policy and Research to join them on a full‑time, permanent basis. Requests for flexible working will be considered with a minimum option of 0.8 FTE working condensed hours with flexible start and finish times.

Your Rewards

• Salary of £64,450 - £77,880 per annum, dependent on experience and location
• 31 days' holiday increasing to 33 days after 5 years’ service, of which 3 are shutdown days in addition to public holidays
• Company pension scheme with 8% employer contribution
• Group Life Assurance 3*salary
• Hybrid working (with 40%-60% of your time required 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 schemeEmployee Assistance & Wellbeing Programme
• Gold award in Investors in People

If you are a high‑calibre policy research professional operating at programme manager level or higher, this is the ideal opportunity to drive your career forward and take your next step with this vital charity.

You’ll have the chance to make a real impact at the highest levels, having strategic input and driving change across a key area. In doing so, you’ll be able to consolidate your expertise, further develop your skills and support your career trajectory.

What’s more, you’ll be supported by a talented and committed team within an organisation with a superb reputation, making sure this is the right move for you now and in the future.

Your Role

As Deputy Director, Policy and Research, you will lead a key part of our client’s strategic plan, overseeing all projects and activities in a specific area and forging new areas of work and projects.

Shaping an ongoing programme of research and impact work, you will also focus on a number of key areas centred around understanding and providing support. These will include career change, employer investment in skills, high‑quality and fair access to apprenticeships and technical education, and progression from low pay.

This is a senior leadership role in which you will play a vital part in shaping overall strategy and plans, as well as line managing senior and mid‑level staff, and supporting the wider team with intellectual leadership.

Additionally, you will:

• Write and/or co‑ordinate responses to reactive research and evaluation tenders
• Develop proactive proposals that will drive change in your area or work
• Act as an external expert on the issues of better work and progression
• Oversee projects being delivered in your and related areas
• Provide quality assurance for research proposals and outputs

About You

To be considered as the Deputy Director, Policy and Research, you will need:

• Experience of developing, overseeing and delivering programmes of policy‑relevant research at a high level
• Experience of business development in a policy/research context: developing ideas, writing bids and building relationships with funders
• Experience of building senior‑level relationships with external stakeholders for impact and influence
• A track record of delivering national and/or local policy change
• Advanced research skills (qualitative or quantitative)
• Demonstrable knowledge of employment and/or skills policy in the UK

The closing date for this role is 21st February 2026.

Other organisations may call this role Deputy Research Director, Deputy Policy Director, Policy & Research Programme Manager, Head of Policy & Research, Head of Research Programmes, or Senior Research Manager.

Webrecruit and our clients 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.