Director of Policy, Research & External Relations

JR United Kingdom; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization in the land-based and environmental sectors, Lantra, is seeking a Director of Policy, Research & External Relations to engage with key stakeholders and advance policy initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a passion for addressing skills issues, and the ability to communicate effectively across diverse groups. This hybrid position allows for flexible working arrangements while contributing to meaningful impact in the industry.

Qualifications

• Strong leader with ability to inspire teams and stakeholders.
• Experience in engaging with policymakers and industry leaders.
• Proven capacity for communication and networking.

Responsibilities

• Lead engagement with government and industry stakeholders to influence policy.
• Execute Lantra’s strategies to promote research and awareness.
• Identify skills gaps and advocate for workforce solutions.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Networking

Problem Solving

Research Design

Job description

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Director of Policy, Research & External Relations, preston, lancashire

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Client:

Lantra

Location:

preston, lancashire, 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]