Senior Policy Advisor

Government Recruitment Service; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

25 days annual leave + public holidays

Flexible working

Job summary

Government Recruitment Service in Leeds is seeking a Senior Policy Advisor to shape policy and influence decisions across government. You will deliver evidence-based advice to Ministers, prepare high-quality briefings, and support priority policy delivery.

The role requires collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, gathering information, and developing policy solutions in a dynamic environment. Flexible working options are available within the Civil Service framework.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering policy advice to Ministers and senior officials.
• Ability to gather information from internal and external experts and synthesise it into clear briefing.
• Strong written and oral briefing skills.
• Ability to manage ambiguity and competing priorities in a fast-moving environment.

Responsibilities

• Leading policy advice for Ministers and senior officials, including ministerial briefings and parliamentary business.
• Supporting senior managers with policy creation and implementation.
• Gathering information from internal and external experts to deliver high-quality briefing.
• Developing and maintaining relationships with stakeholders to support policy development and delivery.

Skills

Policy advice

Stakeholder engagement

Briefing papers

Analytical thinking

Job description

Can you shape policy and influence decisions that make a real difference?

Have you delivered results through collaboration, analysis and sound judgement?

Are you a proactive and curious professional looking for your next challenge?

If so, we'd love to hear from you!

The Department for Transport is at the heart of some of the UK's most ambitious and high-profile initiatives, shaping the future of transport across the nation. From major infrastructure projects and transport innovation to improving connectivity and supporting economic growth, our work impacts millions of people every day. As part of our Policy Profession, you will join a supportive and collaborative community, providing trusted advice, developing evidence-based solutions and helping to deliver meaningful outcomes for citizens, businesses and communities across the UK.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at: Policy opportunities at the Department for Transport - Department for Transport Careers

As a Senior Policy Advisor, you are expected to work with a degree of flexibility, meaning responsibilities may change to support priority delivery.

Your responsibilities typically include, but aren’t limited to:

• Leading policy advice for Ministers, other Government Departments (including Cabinet Office, No10 and HM Treasury) and senior officials, including but not limited to: Ministerial briefings, Parliamentary business, freedom of information requests and correspondence.
• Supporting senior managers with policy creation/implementation.
• Gathering information, including engaging with internal and external experts, and bringing it together to deliver high quality oral and written briefing.
• Developing and maintaining good working relationships with departmental, cross-Government and external stakeholders to support policy development and delivery.
• Making clear recommendations on complex questions, working with stakeholders in a fast-moving environment, managing ambiguity and handling the dynamics of multiple competing priorities.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Open Session:

Would you like to find out more about the role, what it’s like to work in our department and guidance on how to apply?

If so, we are organising an open session where you can virtually 'meet the team' on Tuesday 10 November 2026, 13:00 - 13:40. Please use the following link -SEO Policy Advisor: Recruitment information session

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident

Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.

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