Senior Policy Manager

The Trussell Trust; Remote; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent charity organization in the UK is seeking a Senior Policy Manager to lead policy development and support influencing activities. This position focuses on advancing social security reform to combat hunger and hardship, ensuring the program's strategies are effectively implemented. The ideal candidate should have significant experience in policy development, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage stakeholders effectively. This role contributes greatly to the organization's mission of creating a society without food banks.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in developing policy solutions.
• Understanding of poverty and social security issues essential.
• Strong communication skills for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead policy development for the Making Social Security Work programme.
• Manage internal and external stakeholders for policy strategy.
• Provide advice and line management support.

Skills

Policy development

Influencing skills

Strong communication

Strategic input

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Senior Policy Manager

Role outline and purpose

The Senior Policy Manager will be accountable for overseeing policy development and supporting influencing activity to advance the goals of the Making Social Security Work programme. The role will plan and lead policy development and support influencing activities, providing in-depth expertise across the programme.

This role is part of Trussell’s Making Social Security Work programme, the goal of which is to ensure that social security and employment support are accessible, well‑designed and sufficiently funded in order to prevent people experiencing hunger and hardship, and that the UK public view social security as an asset to society. This role is focused on the successful delivery of the overall programme outcomes, contributing to the fulfilment of our long term vision of a UK without the need for food banks.

Role responsibilities

• Lead policy development to achieve the goals of the Making Social Security Work programme.
• Establish and maintain momentum in policy development across the programme, ensuring the creation of credible proposals and building a strong case for policymakers to implement asks.
• Work collaboratively with key internal and external stakeholders from the sector and among policymakers to shape and deliver programme’s policy strategy
• Support with wider strategic development as part of Trussell’s policy and influencing strategy, including working with colleagues to align policy development and asks within the programme across the UK nations and regions
• Provide advice and line management, including regular 1:1s and assessment against objectives, and identify development needs

Person Specification

Technical skills and minimum knowledge:

• Significant track record of successfully developing policy solutions and influencing politicians and/or key decision-makers to achieve policy change
• Detailed understanding of policy issues relating to poverty, social security and employment.
• Specific expertise in relation to either sickness and disability benefits or employment support is desirable
• Strong communication skills (written and oral) with impact and for a range of audiences
• Experience of providing strategic input to support senior leadership
• Experience of line managing, including dealing with performance issues and supporting team development
• Self-sufficient use of I.T., including proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and experience in project management processes and software

Behaviours and competencies:

• Works collaboratively, managing challenges in a constructive manner
• Balances competing priorities and work to tight deadlines
• Demonstrates a dedication to the values of Trussell
• Demonstrates empathy for people from disadvantaged, marginalised or socially‑excluded backgrounds
• Role models inclusive behaviour, values and leadership