The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking a Senior Policy Adviser to join our Public Policy Team. The role is crucial for the development and delivery of evidence-driven British Academy policy programmes on communities and social policy, using SHAPE research to impact policy outcomes that support the Academy’s and the Policy Directorate’s strategy.

ROLE PURPOSE / OVERVIEW

The British Academy’s public policy programmes explore domestic policy challenges that SHAPE research (Social sciences, Humanities and the Arts for People and the Economy/Environment), which can help policymakers to understand, reframe and find solutions. We work closely with our Fellows, alongside a diverse community of academics, experts, practitioners and importantly, policymakers. Our approach is focused on drawing together insights from SHAPE research and convening key figures to understand how these can be applied to policymaking.  This gives us opportunities to bring fresh thinking to the most challenging issues, reframe debates, and develop new evidence-based solutions.

The Senior Policy Adviser will lead the delivery of evidence-driven policy programmes focused on communities and social infrastructure, with an opportunity at the outset to define the scope and strategy of these programmes. You will need understanding and knowledge of social policy, particularly areas of social policy relating to communities and civil society. You also need to be comfortable with bringing insights and analysis together and making new connections across policy themes to approach problems from a fresh perspective. 

This is a varied role that requires ambition and confidence to engage with a wide variety of contributors to bring together the insights from our evidence-base. You will have the ability to plan and deliver different types of activity: convening stakeholders, managing researchers, and collaborating with counterparts in academia and government.

You will be proactive and always looking for opportunities, using effective communication and developing or strengthening crucial relationships to extend the reach of our programme. You will often work independently but won’t be on your own – we are a collaborative, supportive and friendly team of 12, working on the basis of mutual trust and responsibility, all working on different but connected areas, striving together to achieve our goals.

OFFICE LOCATION - 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, St James Park, London, SW1Y 5AH

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Lead the delivery of evidence-driven social policy programmes

• Strategic responsibility for key projects or programmes within the public policy communities / social and cultural infrastructure portfolio.

• Responsibility for outcomes, outputs, activities and communications within the programmes, working closely with Fellows, advisory groups and colleagues.

• May include development and design of a new project(s) as the portfolio evolves and opportunities arise.

2. Producing analysis, written outputs and convening stakeholders through events

• Produce or facilitate analysis and background research as necessary, including accessing networks and relationships, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and synthesis of insights arising from activities and a variety of data sources.

• Manage the production and publication of written outputs (reports, blogs, consultation responses, briefings, etc), including: coordinating the writing, design, peer-review, sign-off and dissemination of British Academy policy reports.

• Engage and convene stakeholders through events and meetings in a range of formats (workshops, roundtables, policy labs, conferences, etc), to support both input, analysis and dissemination.

3. Communicate the Academy’s agreed policy positions and the outputs of our programmes in writing or verbally

• Represent the Academy at meetings and events or online, and present the Academy’s views and positions as required, primarily building on published outputs.

• Use written and verbal skills to communicate key messages and engage different audiences, to realise programme objectives and the wider policy strategy.

4. Proactively identify and pursue opportunities

• Monitor and analyse external developments around themes and topics relating to our programmes, identifying opportunities for new policy and programme development or dissemination of existing outputs.

• Liaise with external organisations and stakeholders, policymakers, academics, experts, forging new relationships and sustaining established ones in order to support delivery of our activities and objectives.

5. Develop, maintain and strengthen relationships with stakeholders

• Build up strong relationships with British Academy Fellows, policymakers in key central and local government departments, practitioners and academic communities.

• Ensure that these relationships underpin and support all other duties, from programme design, to outputs and communication; and equally, that our work also reinforces and grows our networks.

• Maintain good relationships internally, participating in ad-hoc cross-department teams, supporting the Academy’s wider aims, and finding synergies with other public policy programmes, research funding, international and other areas.

 Key Stakeholders

Internal:

Colleagues in the Public Policy team, as well as in higher education policy, international policy, press and public affairs and research funding.

External:

They fall into three main groups:

• Policymakers (politicians, civil servants, regulators, local authorities)

• Policy stakeholders across business, civil society, and the public sector

• Academics, researchers and experts, including British Academy Fellows, funded researchers and the other national academies.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Works and communicates effectively

• Excellent written and oral communication skills – the ability to influence others in meetings, events and through your writing or presentations. Includes giving presentations and writing policy reports and materials in both an analytically rigorous and engaging style for policy audiences.

• Excellent facilitation skills - getting the most from meetings, discussions, events and workshops, while including all voices.

• Inclusive and values-driven; our values are: collaboration, creativity, empathy, excellence, integrity, resilience and respect.

• Positive attitude to challenges and co-operation with colleagues

• Excellent ability to communicate diplomatically and sensitively as situations require and to handle confidential information.

• A proven ability to build and sustain effective relationships internally and externally.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Demonstrates and develops appropriate knowledge and skills

• Demonstrable understanding and knowledge of the UK public policy landscape, with a particular emphasis on communities and social policy, and a desire to apply it to our work.

• Knowledge of relevant areas of research as well as policy research methods suitable for our programmes.

• Skilled in one or more of policy analysis, policy research methods, policy development and/or implementation.

• Confidence to learn from mistakes, seek and accept feedback and continuously improve.

• A strong desire to develop new skills and knowledge and apply them to strengthen our work.

• Strong IT skills and the capability to learn new IT skills and apply IT to solve problems and deliver more effectively.

PROACTIVITY AND PLANNING

Manages time and resources effectively in order to achieve own and organisational objectives

• Track record of delivering successful projects and/or policy outcomes, delivering on multiple projects at one time.

• Comfortable with a mixture of independent, self-directed and collaborative teamwork.

• Ability to meet deadlines under pressure, accurately and with attention to detail, often balancing conflicting priorities

• Ability to manage budgets of varying sizes.

PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING

Ensures good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach

• Strategic thinking – a combination of creativity, curiosity, adaptability, being forward-thinking, having good judgement and ambition, while understanding how to get things done.

• Excellent research, analytical and problem-solving skills, particularly in relation to understanding how to construct a robust evidence base for policy findings and conclusions.

• Able to take on a varied set of responsibilities and flexible to work on all parts of the project/programme delivery.

• Able to judge and balance when to make a decision, when to consult further and when to refer to colleagues.

LEADERSHIP

Gives a clear sense of direction while inspiring others with vision and actions 

• Creative, confident, open-minded, flexible and enthusiastic outlook  

• Outward facing, delivery-oriented and able to look to the medium- and long-term 

• A professional and confident approach driven by integrity and respect when dealing with a variety of people  

• Experience of engagement with stakeholders and experts who influence and shape policy  

• A passion for improving policy and policymaking using insights from arts, humanities and social sciences research and knowledge of the policy context. 

• Takes responsibility on behalf of a team and leads by example. 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Participate in in-person workshops and events organised as part of public policy work programmes both in London and elsewhere across the UK.

• Willing to travel occasionally within the UK on British Academy business

• Able to be flexible about working hours on occasions

WORKPLACE VALUES

The Academy’s workplace values and supporting text are set out below. We share these core values with each other. They guide how we work together and with others. We demonstrate them through our behaviours.

COLLABORATION- We consistently work together to a common purpose, supporting each other, communicating openly and sharing knowledge. We are flexible and adaptable, receiving feedback constructively

CREATIVITY - We bring imagination and curiosity to our work, valuing learning, diverse thinking, and innovation. We are open-minded, receptive, and responsive, taking account of alternative perspectives

EMPATHY-We are understanding, sensitive, compassionate, and considerate, mindful of our own wellbeing alongside that of others

EXCELLENCE - We always do our best, without striving to be perfect, applying our expertise and experience to develop and grow

INTEGRITY - We are open and honest with each other, accepting personal responsibility and demonstrating loyalty. We are reliable and dependable, having belief that we will be transparent and clear

RESILIENCE - We are confident, bold, and tenacious, knowing when to listen as well as when to speak up. We respond positively to challenges and overcome problems

RESPECT - We are inclusive in our regard for each other, showing courtesy and appreciation. We treat people fairly and equally, welcoming everyone’s contribution and difference

APPLICATION PROCESS

We have a two-step approach to hiring, beginning with submitting an application through the Applied platform. This will be followed by a panel interview and may involve a task component.

Please note that we use AI screening software to identify responses that have been copied from AI sources and are not your own work.

The deadline for applications is 12:00 noon on 23 March 2026, however, we may close this role sooner if we receive a high volume of applications.  In these circumstances we will give those who have shown interest 24 hours notice of the change of deadline.

Interviews for this role are currently scheduled for 14/15 April but this may be subject to change.