Policy Evaluation Director – Education & Employment

ICF; Leeds; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Dental insurance

25 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Enhanced parental leave

Job summary

ICF is seeking an experienced Consulting Director to lead evaluation work for UK Government policies and programmes across education, employment, youth and families. You will manage a team of evaluators, develop strategic directions, and lead client engagement to grow the business.

The role requires deep policy research expertise, excellent communication, and a track record of managing large, multidisciplinary projects and competitive bids. A passion for impact and growth is essential.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years relevant professional experience.
• Expertise in UK policy research and evaluation in education, employment and labour markets, youth and inclusion, or children and families.
• Experience of leading large and complex research and evaluation projects.
• Experience in delivering qualitative and quantitative social research methods and understanding of different evaluation approaches.
• Experience of writing competitive bids or grant applications and addressing methodological challenges.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong commercial skills and business acumen, including proactive client engagement and leading competitive bids.
• Experience in managing large and complex projects/teams.
• Degree, Master’s degree or PhD in relevant discipline.

Responsibilities

• Develop and proactively manage our education and employment strategy.
• Lead growth and account management for key clients and What Works Centres network.
• Focus on winning new business through networking and client relationships.
• Identify pipeline opportunities and bid for UK education and employment work.
• Lead proposals, build teams, develop methodologies and budgets.
• Direct projects with technical leadership and oversee delivery of outputs.
• Develop talent and performance management within the team.
• Strengthen methodological capabilities and domain expertise.

Skills

Communication

Commercial skills

Project leadership

Team leadership

Research methods

Bid writing

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree, Master's degree or PhD in relevant discipline

Job description

ICF is seeking an experienced Consulting Director to lead evaluation work for UK Government policies and programmes across education, employment, youth and families. You will manage a team of evaluators, develop strategic directions, and lead client engagement to grow the business.

The role requires deep policy research expertise, excellent communication, and a track record of managing large, multidisciplinary projects and competitive bids. A passion for impact and growth is essential.