Head of Policy

Discoverwineandspirits; London; Hybrid; GBP 72,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

Discover Wine and Spirits is looking for a Head of Policy to join their mission-driven organization. In this high-impact role, you will influence evidence-based education policy, manage crucial relationships in the sector, and work on strategic initiatives aimed at reducing educational inequality. The position offers flexible working opportunities and significant contributions to national educational reform.

Benefits

Flexible working opportunities

27 days holiday a year (pro rata)

6% employer pension contributions

Life insurance cover

Interest-free season ticket loan and cycle scheme

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years experience in a senior education policy or research-related role.
• Experience delivering collaborative, multi-disciplinary projects to tight deadlines.
• Proven ability to lead, manage and develop high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Promote evidence-informed education policy and manage relationships with the Department for Education.
• Identify opportunities to influence emerging policy and ensure strategic decisions improve outcomes for disadvantaged students.
• Lead the development of policy positions and oversee contributions to national frameworks.

Skills

Organisational skills

Collaboration

Leadership

Project management

Attention to detail

Job description

3 weeks ago Be among the first 25 applicants

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Central London (Hybrid - minimum one day per week in the office)

The Organisation

The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) is an independent charity dedicated to breaking the link between family income and educational achievement.

We do this by supporting schools, colleges, and nurseries to improve teaching and learning through better use of evidence. We generate research evidence on effective practice in supporting learning outcomes and narrowing the socioeconomic attainment gap, and we work with education professionals to ensure this evidence is applied to achieve the maximum possible benefit for children and young people.

The EEFs reach and impact have been tremendous: the English education system is now one of the most evidence-informed in the world. Over half of state primary and secondary schools have taken part in an EEF-funded trial, and 70% of all school leaders use the Teaching and Learning Toolkit to inform their decision-making.

We are now looking for a Head of Policy to join us on a full-time basis for a seven-month fixed-term contract. A secondment will also be considered.

The Benefits

• Salary of £72,250 per annum (pro rata)
• Flexible start and end working times (core hours between 10am and 4pm)
• Flexible working opportunities
• 27 days holiday a year (plus 8 bank holidays including 3 which can be taken flexibly and 2 festive season closure days) (pro rata)
• 6% employer pension contributions, minimum 3% employee contribution
• Life insurance cover
• Interest-free season ticket loan and cycle scheme
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave pay (conditions apply)
• Confidential access to Employee Assistance Programme
  
  

This is a high-impact opportunity for a talented, high-calibre education or research policy professional to join our mission-driven organisation.

In this career-defining role, you will have the chance to elevate the voice of evidence within policymaking, championing the role of research in tackling educational inequality.

What's more, you will be enabled to enhance your professional network, collaborating with key stakeholders, expanding your influence and positioning yourself as a trusted leader in national education reform.

So, if you're ready to lead change where it matters most, wed love to hear from you.

The Role

As Head of Policy, you will take the lead in our work to promote evidence-informed education policy, whilst managing our relationship with the Department for Education.

In this pivotal role, you will work with policy makers ensuring national policy is informed by robust evidence across the early years, schools and post-16 sectors.

Youll proactively identify opportunities to influence emerging policy and ensure EEFs insights help drive strategic decisions that improve outcomes for disadvantaged students.

Leading the development of policy positions, you will ensure we provide clear, authoritative perspectives on key issues. Alongside this, you will lead our work on professional development policy, overseeing contributions to national frameworks and ensuring reforms are grounded in the best available research.

Additionally, You Will

• Represent us externally through presentations, events and public engagements with senior stakeholders
• Monitor and respond to relevant policy developments
• Provide policy briefings to the CEO and executive team
  
  

About You

To be considered as a Head of Policy, you will need:

• A minimum of three years experience in a senior education policy or research-related role
• Experience of delivering collaborative, multi-disciplinary projects to tight deadlines
• Proven ability to lead, manage and develop high-performing teams
• The ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
• A strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of work
  
  

The closing date for this role is 8th June 2025.

Other organisations may call this role Head of Education Policy, Education Policy Lead, Senior Policy Manager, Education Policy Lead, or Policy Director.

Webrecruit and The Education Endowment Foundation 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 want to become our next Head of Policy and help shape evidence-informed national education policy, please apply via the button shown. This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Executive

Employment type

• Employment type

  Contract

Job function

• Job function

  Management

• Industries

  Strategic Management Services

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