Director of Policy, Research & External Relations

JR United Kingdom; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading body in the UK land-based and environmental sectors is seeking a Director of Policy, Research & External Relations. This pivotal role involves engaging with policy makers and stakeholders to influence and shape effective policy and research initiatives in the field. The successful candidate will be a seasoned leader with strong communication and networking skills, capable of managing relationships at all levels and guiding a dedicated team to achieve strategic objectives.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to engage with government and policymakers.
• Experience in designing and delivering effective research.
• Strong networking skills and experience in stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead engagement with policymakers at national, local, and industry levels.
• Define and execute Lantra's communications and external relations.
• Gain industry support for research and act as spokesperson.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Networking

Analytical Skills

Teamwork

Education

Experience in Education and Skills Policy

Job description

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Director of Policy, Research & External Relations, edinburgh

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Client:

Lantra

Location:

edinburgh, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Views:

2

Posted:

06.06.2025

Expiry Date:

21.07.2025

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Job Description:

Lantra is seeking to appoint a Director of Policy, Research & External Relations to engage with policy makers, government, industry and the wider land-based sectors to produce, communicate and promote evidence-based research that influences policy and supports the land-based and environmental industries.

Lantra is the leading awarding body in the UK and the Republic of Ireland in the land-based and environment sectors, developing quality training courses and nationally recognised qualifications that are delivered through a national network of accredited training providers.

Key Responsibilities:

The Director of Policy, Research & External Relations (DPRE) will be responsible for leading Lantra’s engagement with industry, government and other relevant UK policy stakeholders, representing the interests of the land-based industries and influencing policy, whilst ensuring that the necessary strategy is in place to achieve Lantra’s long term vision. They will:

• Gain industry support for research and for Lantra as a spokesperson to UK government and to policymakers at national, local and industry levels
• Identify, verify and/or quantify skills issues identified through research and labour market intelligence capability to identify skills needs, gaps and validated opportunities.
• Use evidence to engage UK government and policymakers at national, local and industry levels, and advocate changes and solutions to address workforce issues.
• Define and lead the execution of Lantra’s communications and external relations to ensure consistent messaging and increase awareness of Lantra Awards and ‘Investing in Skills’ activities.
• Alongside the CEO, position Lantra with UK government and other stakeholders, as a respected authority on skills issues in the sectors Lantra is operating in; able to offer evidence-based solutions and to be a trusted partner in their delivery.

About You:

We are looking for a leader who will inspire a dedicated team, bringing passion and guidance to identify key issues, develop creative solutions and successfully promote these to stakeholders.

Lantra has a market-leading reputation and is seeking to become a thought leader and champion to the land-based and environmental industries and its people. The organisation is seeking to represent and support the UK community and its future generation of learners. The Director of Policy, Research & External Relations will be:

• An excellence communicator, able to effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• A person of initiative, with a demonstrable ability to identify key issues, develop creative solutions and successfully promote them externally
• A strong team player with emotional intelligence to support and constructively challenge colleagues as part of the Lantra community.
• A demonstrable leader, effective at building successful teams, able to inspire, motivate and communicate at all levels to provide united direction and cohesive leadership.
• An outgoing, proven capacity for networking, able to build and develop effective professional relationships with key industry players and policymakers
• Experience of designing and delivering effective research ideally in the area of education and skills policy
• Evidence of effective engagement with government and policymakers, understanding of policymaking structures and processes and how to influence them
• Experience of working with print/broadcast/social media, including developing/implementing social media strategies
• Evidence of presenting and communicating research, policy and positioning statement

Location: Lantra HQ is based in Warwickshire. Hybrid-working is available

Lantra has engaged the services of The McLean Partnership, to whom applications should be sent by midday, Friday 27th June 2025

More information and a candidate prospectus can be found at our dedicated website

For a confidential conversation about the opportunity, please contact Caius Freeman on [phone], Paul Soothill on [phone] or email [emailprotected]