Policy Manager

Awaze; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday discounts

Flexible hybrid working

Career development

Job summary

Awaze is seeking a Policy Manager to steer Awaze’s response to evolving UK and EU regulation affecting the short-term rental market. You will help shape policy positions, engage with governments and industry bodies, and translate developments into practical actions for the business.

You’ll lead policy delivery, draft responses, and work with legal, regulatory, and commercial teams across multiple markets to ensure compliant, timely implementation. This is a hybrid role with UK/EU focus.

Qualifications

• Experience translating regulatory developments into actionable business guidance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with clear policy language.
• Ability to build relationships with policymakers, regulators and industry bodies.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of policy objectives in core markets.
• Draft policy papers, responses and advocacy materials.
• Analyse legislation and assess impact on Awaze, homeowners and guests.
• Represent Awaze in meetings with government and regulators.
• Collaborate with trade associations and cross-functional teams.
• Track regulatory developments and drive implementation with relevant teams.

Skills

Policy development

Regulatory affairs

Public policy

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Job description

Help shape how Awaze responds to an evolving regulatory landscape across the UK and Europe. As our Policy Manager, you’ll play a central role in influencing policy, navigating new regulation and turning legislative developments into clear, practical action for our business.

Your mission

As our Policy Manager, your mission is to manage and drive Awaze’s response to regulatory and public policy developments, from their earliest stages through to implementation across the business.

The short-term rental sector is evolving rapidly, with increasing regulation at local, national and European level. You’ll help us stay ahead of that change by developing our policy positions, engaging with governments and industry bodies, and working closely with teams across Awaze to make sure new requirements are understood and implemented effectively.

No two days will look quite the same. You could be responding to a consultation on a new licensing scheme, engaging with the European Commission on upcoming regulation, or helping the business implement the collection of visitor levies in one of our markets.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead the delivery of key public policy objectives, particularly around regulatory and government policy developments in our core markets.
• Develop, implement and communicate Awaze’s legislative and public policy objectives, including defining advocacy priorities, positions and strategies.
• Draft policy papers, consultation responses and other materials that clearly communicate our position to governments, regulators and other stakeholders.
• Review legislation and regulation, research emerging issues and provide clear analysis of the potential impact on Awaze, our homeowners and our guests.
• Develop evidence and insights that strengthen our policy positions and support our advocacy objectives.
• Represent Awaze in meetings with government departments, elected officials and regulators across the UK and EU, as well as with industry associations and other stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with contacts across local, regional and national government, alongside industry partners and allied organisations.
• Work closely with our trade associations in the UK and Europe to help ensure their priorities and objectives reflect those of Awaze, including representing us on relevant working groups.
• Identify, monitor and track regulatory developments affecting the business across the UK and key European markets, developing our response and driving implementation with relevant teams.
• Identify opportunities to proactively influence government policy and legislative reform in support of Awaze’s objectives.
• Manage external consultants and agencies where additional support is required for policy initiatives or campaigns.

Who We’re Looking For

You’ll thrive in this role if you’re curious about how government and regulation shape businesses, enjoy getting to grips with complex issues and are comfortable bringing people together to turn policy into action.

We’re Looking For Someone Who Brings

• A strong interest in and passion for UK and EU government, public policy and regulation.
• Experience working with regulation, public policy, lobbying, government or politicians. Experience in the travel sector would be beneficial, but it is not essential.
• The ability to quickly understand complex technical, legislative and regulatory issues and translate them into clear implications for the business.
• Strong analytical skills and an understanding of the commercial priorities that drive a business.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong drafting capabilities.
• Confidence building relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels of seniority.
• The ability to present clearly and credibly to both internal and external audiences.
• A collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively across functions and teams.
• A proactive, positive and organised way of working, with strong attention to detail and the confidence to operate independently.
• Fluency in English. Additional European language skills would be a plus but are not essential.

How You'll Make An Impact

• Shape and drive Awaze’s strategic response to regulatory developments that matter to our business, homeowners and guests.
• Ensure relevant legislative and regulatory changes are identified early, clearly communicated and translated into practical action across the organisation.
• Collaborate with Legal and cross-functional teams to ensure policy priorities align with wider business objectives.
• Build credible, productive relationships with policymakers, regulators, trade associations and other external stakeholders.
• Strengthen Awaze’s ability to influence policy development by building clear, evidence-based positions and identifying opportunities for proactive engagement.
• Drive and track the implementation of regulatory requirements across the business, ensuring progress is accurately and regularly reported.
• Help Awaze navigate a fast-changing regulatory environment across multiple markets and jurisdictions.

Why you’ll want to work at Awaze

We offer a versatile position in a strong professional and social environment - one you’ll have the opportunity to influence and help shape. You’ll be part of an international company that invests in the future, and join a dynamic, fast-paced department with skilled and committed colleagues who support each other.

You’ll join our Legal team at a time of significant change and opportunity, giving you the chance to shape our response to issues of real importance to Awaze and our stakeholders. You’ll also have opportunities to broaden your knowledge by working across multiple jurisdictions and alongside colleagues, authorities, trade bodies and external partners throughout the UK and Europe.

We’re a People-first Business - And We Know That Our Success Starts With Our Teams. Here’s a Glimpse Of What You’ll Enjoy

• Generous discounts on holidays across our brands
• Flexible hybrid working – with the autonomy to work how you work best
• Real opportunities to grow, learn and shape your role as well as careers progression vertically or horizontally, cross countries and responsibilities.

About Awaze

Our mission is clear - to create amazing holidays with Europe’s widest choice of holiday homes.

With more than 110,000 properties across Europe, we are the largest managed vacation rentals business in the region. Our ambition is not only to be the biggest, but the best provider of holiday homes in Europe.

As travel continues to evolve, we are focused on what comes next. We will keep strengthening our relationships with guests and homeowners, continuously improving the way we work, and delivering strong performance. By making things simpler and smarter, we are building a business that is ready for what’s next - powered by proud, passionate and inclusive people.

Worth knowing

This role can be based from either our Manchester or London office and is offered on a hybrid basis, with typically 2–3 days per week in the office.

The position is advertised as full time, but we are also open to applications from candidates looking to work four days per week.

Due to the nature of the role, some flexibility for occasional travel within the UK and Europe will be required.

What’s next?

We’re committed to running an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. All applicants will receive equal consideration for employment, and if you have any specific requirements or adjustments needed for the interview, just let us know when you accept your invitation - we’re happy to accommodate.