Policy Officer

Places for People; Harrow; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension 7% matched up to 7%

35 days annual leave (including buy/sm

Healthcare cashback up to £500/year

Bonus scheme 2%

Training and development

Employee discounts

Job summary

Places for People is recruiting a Policy Officer on a 12‑month FTC to interpret changes in policy, politics, economic and regulatory environments and turn them into practical actions.

You will lead horizon scanning, analyse sector developments and help shape policy responses, coordinating consultations and supporting policy positions with senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

• An undergraduate or post‑graduate degree in politics, economics, public policy or related field.
• Ability to translate complex policy into clear, practical insights.
• Strong written and verbal communication with comfort handling large amounts of information.

Responsibilities

• Lead horizon scanning and provide regular updates on the policy environment.
• Research key sector developments, assess implications and shape practical responses.
• Lead or co‑lead policy projects from research to implementation and support consultations.

Skills

Ownership

Stakeholder management

Policy analysis

Written communication

Data interpretation

Microsoft Office

AI tools familiarity

Education

Undergraduate or postgraduate degree in politics/economics/public policy

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word/Excel/PowerPoint)

AI policy drafting tools

Job description

As the UK's leading Social Enterprise, we move lives forward every day by building, managing and supporting thriving Communities. From new homes, social housing and student accommodation to leisure, education and Community initiatives, our work makes a positive difference to millions of People across the UK. And that takes People who care about doing the right thing. People who are ambitious, ready to grow and motivated to make a difference through the work they do.

We're looking for Colleagues who bring energy, curiosity and ownership. People who enjoy being challenged, support those around them and want to keep raising the bar. Because when we perform at our best, we create more opportunities to invest in our Customers, our Communities and each other.

Experience matters, but it's only part of the story. If you share our values and want to build a career where your work has real impact, we'd love to hear from you.

More About The Role

The role is FTC for 12 months

As a Policy Officer, you will help the business understand changes in the policy, political, economic and regulatory environment, assessing respective impacts.

This entails leading horizon scanning and providing regular, accessible updates on the operating environment. Drawing on evidence and data from a range of sources, you will research key sector developments, assess their implications and help shape practical responses where applicable.

You are expected to lead consultation responses and influencing activity, supporting the development of public policy positions. Other responsibilities include leading or co‑leading policy projects from initial research through to implementation.

More About You

You can turn complex policy, economic, political and regulatory developments into clear, practical insight. Ownership is key to your working ethos, alongside confidence and adaptability when working with senior stakeholders.

With an open mind, you approach problems thoughtfully, identify effective solutions and use evidence to make well‑reasoned recommendations. You are also comfortable working with substantial amounts of written information and data, and using digital tools to improve quality and productivity. As a self‑starter, ambiguity and uncertainty are seen as opportunities to influence and be proactive.

Knowledge of public/housing policy and an understanding of the UK political and economic environment would be particularly valuable.

Essential Qualities

• An undergraduate or post‑graduate degree in one or more of the following fields: politics, economics, public policy or any related fields.
• An understanding of the policy development process, i.e. the ability to problem solve and think critically.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable with large amounts of written information and data.
• Adept with software such Microsoft tools (word, excel, power point, co‑pilot) and comfortable with using AI to enhance quality and productivity.

Preferred Qualities

• Strong knowledge of housing‑related policy and/or economics.
• Experience of working in a policy, public affairs or regulatory environment.

What you'll get

You’ll receive:

• Competitive salary, with a salary review yearly
• Pension with matched contributions up to 7%
• Excellent holiday package – up to 35 days annual leave with the option to buy or sell leave
• Cashback plan for healthcare costs – up to £500 saving per year
• A bonus scheme for all colleagues at 2%
• Training and development
• Extra perks including huge discounts and offers from shops, cinemas and much more

Safeguarding

At Places for People, safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. We are committed to creating safe communities for our customers and colleagues by protecting children, young people, and adults at risk from harm, abuse, and neglect.

We follow robust safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring all employees, volunteers, and contractors uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and accountability. Our recruitment process includes pre‑employment checks, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks where applicable, to promote a safe and secure working environment.

By joining Places for People, you are expected to contribute to our safeguarding culture, following our policies and reporting concerns to protect those in our communities.

Armed Forces

We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant. Places for People will guarantee an interview for any candidate who is serving or has formerly served in the Armed Forces, as a reservist, armed forces veteran (including the wounded, injured and sick), cadet instructor and military spouse/partner and who meets the essential criteria for the vacancy.

Disability Confident

We are proud to be a member of the Disability Confident scheme certified as Level 2 Disability Confident Employer. This helps us to successfully employ and retain people with disabilities and health conditions. Disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a vacancy will be guaranteed an interview. The Equality Act 2010 (Disability Discrimination Act 1995 for NI) defines a disabled person as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long‑term negative effect on their ability to do daily activities.

Neurodivergent

Neurodiverse individuals have highly valuable skills, and we recognise that a traditional interview process sometimes works against them and doesn’t allow them to self‑advocate. Neurodiverse applicants who meet the criteria for a vacancy will be guaranteed an interview.

As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we offer a guaranteed interview to candidates who are disabled, neurodiverse, or have served in the Armed Forces, provided you meet the essential criteria for the role. If you would like to be considered under this scheme, please indicate this in your application.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview experience, please let us know. We're happy to work with you to ensure you have the opportunity to perform at your best.

We understand the importance of a supportive and inclusive work culture so please talk to us at interview about flexibility you may need. We can't promise to give you exactly what you want, but we promise not to judge you for asking. For this role we are open to discussing the possibility of reduced hours, flexible start and finish times or compressed hours.