Policy Engagement Manager

Senior Policy Engagement Manager(ADR UK)

Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

Salary: 46743 per annum

Band: UKRI Band E
Contract Type: Open ended programme funding currently runs until 31 March 2031.
Hours: Full-time/ Part Time (minimum 0.8 FTE) (flexible working available)
Location: Polaris House Swindon Wiltshire - Hybrid working available. Regular travel to London office required. Further details can be discussed at interview stage.

Closing Date: 31st March 2026

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to bring together and shape a rapidly developing area of work in one of UKRIs most important investments in research infrastructure ADR UK. We are currently moving into our new funding period following a successful investment bid of 168 million with a key focus ensuring our work informs policy for public good.

ADR UK(Administrative Data Research UK) is a partnership transforming the way researchers access the UKs wealth of public sector data.

By linking together data held by different parts of government and by facilitating safe and secure access for accredited researchers ADR UK is creating a sustainable body of knowledge about how our society and economy function. The resulting datasets are tailored to give decision makers the answers they need to solve important policy questions.

The partnership is coordinated by a UK-wide Strategic Hub where this role will be located which also communicates the benefits of administrative data research to the public the wider research community and policymakers and influencers. The Strategic Hub is embedded within ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council).

You will join an established and growing team that works together to plan coordinate and deliver communications and engagement activity both for ADR England portfolio and the wider ADR UK partnership.

This is an opportunity for an experienced communications engagement policy or impact lead with a strong understanding of the policy landscape to shape a new role. This role will bring together and build on work that has taken place across the ADR UK team to communicate with and engage policymakers - those in Westminster and beyond - and policy influencers with the work of ADR UK and our research outputs. This role is critical for developing the strategic direction of this workstream to ensure we deliver on our mission to enable government policy to be informed by the best evidence available.

Youll be organised flexible and collaborative as comfortable leading a project alone as working as part of the team on a wider programme of work. You will be happy to get stuck in to identify and run specific projects to further our policy impact as well as keeping oversight of and reporting on the policy impact of our wider network (i.e. research fellows or partners). Identifying measuring and reporting our impact is anticipated to take place through a range of methods to be developed by the successful candidate.

You will also bring the experience and knowledge to advise senior colleagues and manage relationships within the wider ADR UK programme in relation to our policy engagement work.

The successful candidate will work alongside Senior Communication and Engagement Managers as well as our Senior Public Engagement Manager often collaborating to ensure policy engagement is embedded across all our work.

ADR UK is a well-paced supportive environment with ambitious future plans offering an exciting opportunity for someone looking to take on a role they can own and shape.

We know that many people hesitate to submit a job application if they feel they dont meet all the criteria. If you are passionate about our mission and you possmaintain relationshipsess most of the skills or experience we encourage you to proceed with your application. Wed love to hear from you!

Please note that the ADR UK programmefunding currently runs until 31 March 2031. Details can be discussed further at interview stage.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic planning:Develop a policy engagement strategy building on work achieved so far that ensures ADR UK has the greatest impact on real-world policy decisions and includes monitoring techniques for regular reporting processes.

• Implementation lead: Once planned manage and report on the policy engagement strategy overtime developing and delivering new workstreams or activities as needed to achieve our objectives. Note this is anticipated to include developing a systematic policy briefing process i.e. through publication production and distribution events or other outreach as suitable.

• Policy monitoring and horizon scanning: Develop and manage a systematic approach to horizon-scanning in the short and long term to identify policy impact opportunities for our work for example through All Party Parliamentary Groups Select Committee Enquiries or sector events for which we can provide evidence and insights. This will include advising on opportunities for ADR UK senior leaders to contribute.

• Partnership management:Lead on development and management of a policy partnership programme of work including leading on a partnership contact database (or similar) to record contacts and activity developing positive and fruitful collaborations across policy engagement (such as Parliamentary contacts Government contacts NGOs etc). This includes working with others within ADR UK where stakeholders are shared.

• Project management and evaluation:Where needed produce comprehensive project plans and manage resulting projects throughout reporting at evaluation phase to demonstrate tangible results.

• Inclusive communications and collaboration:Produce inclusive and accessible communications as needed promoting good equalities practice and valuing diversity. Work collaboratively with colleagues and partners including across the nations.

• Crisis communications and team support:Support with crisis communications management when necessary following procedures as required.

• Leadership:Assist the Head of Communications and Engagement as needed including deputising where appropriate and collaborating with the wider team on shared projects in a generous manner.

• Professional development and team contribution:Contribute to the development of the Communications and Engagement team by sharing knowledge and expertise. Keep skills and knowledge up to date by proactively seeking new opportunities for development. Support working on collaborative projects as required for example the ADR UK Annual Report or Podcast series.

Note that this is not a comprehensive list and we may require you to undertake other duties within the Strategic Hub commensurate with the level of responsibility of this post.

Shortlisting and Interview Criteria (Person Specification)

Essential:

• Strategic planning:Bring a strategic approach to your work connecting the dots between ADR UKs policy impact objectives and the opportunities available to us to produce a compelling strategic approach to guide this area of our work. (S&I)
• Management and organisational skills:Effective management planning and organisational skills across time-bound activities such as projects or campaigns including working collaboratively with others to lead or participate in shared projects. (S&I)
• Partnership management expertise:Proven experience in building and managing partnerships including within a policy engagement context (or transferable sector). (S&I)
• Political awareness and institutional understanding:Political awareness and understanding of the context in which UKRI and ADR UK operates. Knowledge of the functioning of UK Parliament Whitehall Devolved Governments and the policymaking process. (S&I)
• Evaluation and monitoring: Experience monitoring the outcomes and impact of workstreams and/or specifically research programmes to monitor report on and tell the story of outcomes and impact to internal and external audiences. (S&I)
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills with the experience to adapt communication style for different audiences and translate complex information into compelling narratives including policy briefs. (S&I)
• Continuous Learning:Commitment to staying informed about industry trends content marketing best practices and emerging technologies in the data landscape. (S)
• Creative content production: Familiarity with using content templates through software such as Canva or Adobe Creative Suite to create branded content that looks professional (i.e. for social media posts and/or event materials). Familiarity or willingness to develop skills with producing content such as short-form videos or podcasts to contribute to wider team shared projects. (S)

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees development and promote a culture of continuous learning!

A list of benefits below:

• An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• 30 days annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
• Employee assistance programme providing confidential help and advice.
• Flexible working options.

Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!

For further information on our benefits please see:

Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.

Please apply online if you experience any issue applying please contact