Policy and Public Affairs Manager - ENVEE1838

University of Leeds; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Leeds seeks a Policy & Public Affairs Manager to drive climate action policies. This role involves engaging with local and national authorities, leading a team, and advocating for inclusive climate actions. Offering a competitive salary and generous benefits, including extensive holidays and a strong pension scheme. Suitable for flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

26 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Generous pension scheme

Health and wellbeing discounts

Access to professional development courses

On-site childcare and shopping discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in policy development and advocacy, especially related to climate action.
• Strong project management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across diverse teams and sectors.

Responsibilities

• Engage with local authorities and politicians on climate-related policies.
• Lead and supervise a team focused on public affairs work.
• Contribute to shaping local and national policy debates.

Skills

Policy advocacy

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Public affairs management

Job description

Overview

Salary: Grade 8 (£51,753 – £59,966 p.a. depending on experience). This role will be based on the university campus, with scope for it to be undertaken in a hybrid manner. We are also open to discussing flexible working arrangements.

Role and responsibilities

The Policy & Public Affairs Manager will play a central leadership role on behalf of the Climate Commissions in the city of Leeds and across the Yorkshire and Humber region. Key activities include engaging with local and combined authorities, national fora such as select committees, peers networks and all party parliamentary groups to support the inclusion of climate actions in policies and plans. You will lead the Commissions’ team’s public affairs work by driving the development and advocacy of inclusive climate-related policy, ensuring climate action is woven across the policy and legislative landscape to support system-level changes championed by Commission-led initiatives, and bringing communities into discussions and policy developments. You will also liaise with politicians and national policy makers to identify and advocate for how UK policy could better support national, regional and local climate actions.

• Support design and delivery of policies that promote positive and inclusive climate action with local and regional authorities, and politicians at all levels.
• Shape local or regional policy and contribute to national policy debates; manage extensive stakeholder engagements across diverse sectors and political landscapes.
• Lead and supervise a multi-functional team within the Climate Commissions, reporting to the Climate Commissions Director.
• Collaborate with the Climate Commissions and University teams to integrate climate action into policy and plans.

Please note that this post may be suitable for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route, but first-time applicants might need to qualify for salary concessions. For more information please visit: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

For research and academic posts, eligibility under the Global Talent visa may apply. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/global-talent

What we offer in return

• 26 days holiday plus approximately 16 Bank Holidays/days the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – that’s 42 days a year.
• Generous pension scheme plus life assurance – the University contributes 14.5% of salary.
• Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our campus gym, with a range of facilities.
• Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.
• Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.
• And much more!