We are a not-for-profit organisation who are committed to increasing the diversity and numbers of young people entering into engineering and technology to meet the future workforce needs, as well as promoting roles that help us work towards net zero and drive environmental sustainability.

We are looking for an experienced Policy Manager who will help us drive forward our understanding of education and skills policy in the devolved nations and in the regions, as well as support or manage policy work in specific priority areas, such as T Levels.

About us at EngineeringUK

Our vision is that the UK has the workforce needed for engineering and technology to thrive, to improve sustainability and to achieve net zero.

Our mission is that we will enable more young people from all backgrounds to be informed, inspired and progress into engineering and technology. We work in partnership across the engineering and technology community (including business and industry, education, professional institutions and the third sector) to understand the sector and the skills it needs to develop, deliver and promote effective activities to inspire young people to choose a career in engineering and technology.

Together we’re working hard to improve the diversity of the young people we work with to create a diverse engineering and technology workforce that reflects the UK population and is ready to meet the future needs of the industry and the planet to achieve net zero and support sustainability.

Our values apply to all our activity:

·           We are insightful so that everything we do is based on clear and up-to- date evidence, we listen and we learn.

·           We are courageous and dynamic in the development, piloting and promotion of all of our ideas and activities.

·           We are passionate about our mission to make a positive difference to young people’s lives and our planet.

·           We are inclusive, with partnership and collaboration at the heart of what we do.

About the role

Reporting to the Head of Policy and Public Affairs and working closely with the Policy and Voice Manager and the Policy and Parliamentary Advisor you will support the delivery of EngineeringUK’s policy and public affairs programme. You will be developing the organisation’s knowledge of, and advise the organisation on, the education and skills policy landscape in the devolved nations and the regions, as well as keep the organisation abreast of policy developments across the UK in relation to the further education landscape.

You will lead on policy projects and work with others in the team to develop policy positions, produce reports and consultation responses and you will lead work with stakeholders, internally and externally to achieve this. You will therefore need to be an excellent team player and collaborator, able to work independently, and adept at managing multiple tasks in a deadline driven environment.

The role is London based at our office at 10 Lower Thames Street, London EC3R 6EN and may involve some occasional travel in the UK. We believe that hybrid working has many benefits and are pleased to offer flexible working with a baseline of 2 days (or 40%) a week in our vibrant central London office overlooking the Thames. We also offer core hours of 10am to 4pm. Further details on our flexible working practices can be discussed at interview or you can reach out to a member of our HR team.

We are happy to discuss your preferred working pattern for this role, which is 0.8 FTE or 28 hours a week (excl. lunch breaks).

Further details of the role can be found in the job description and person specification.

Role responsibilities

·         To develop EngineeringUK’s knowledge and understanding of the education and skills policy landscape across the devolved nations and the regions, and to lead on any future engagement.

·         To support ongoing work on T Levels, apprenticeships and the wider skills environment, with the view to drive forward change in those areas.  

·         To work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation, particularly the research, business & industry and comms team.

·         To lead on high-profile policy projects and coordinating policy activities across the organisation, including reports and consultation responses.

·         To engage with key stakeholders across the engineering and technology and education sectors to identify and drive forward collaborative projects.

·         To represent EngineeringUK in meetings, working groups and on collaborative projects as appropriate.

Person specification

Essential Skills / Competencies

·           Excellent stakeholder management skills and experience in engaging a range of different sectors and organisations in policy development.

·           Experience in developing policy positions, policy responses and report writing.

·           Good understanding of the education and skills landscape, as well as the political environment surrounding it.

·           Ability to lead a project and take people with you.

·           Proven ability to work independently and prioritise in response to many competing demands and time, but also take direction, be flexible and work collaboratively with others, contributing to team decisions and facilitating cross-organisational working.

·           Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including a proven ability to write confidently and concisely for a variety of audiences, including demonstrable experience in simplifying complex policy messages for a wider audience.

·           Commitment to our mission and values and to working in a way that supports our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (see below).

Desirable Skills / Competencies

·         Knowledge of local and regional government structures

·         A network of contacts across the education, skills and/ or the engineering sector.

Education / level of experience

• Educated to degree level or equivalent, or similar ability gained through work experience relevant to the role.

EngineeringUK is committed to being an inclusive workplace, where everyone feels they belong.  This is supported by the dedicated work we are doing to ensure our policies and practices are inclusive and that our staff are trained to be able to fulfil this commitment.

We value the benefits of a diverse workforce and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. Our recruitment process is designed to be as accessible and inclusive as possible and to ensure people are individually assessed regardless of their backgrounds or characteristics. We are an equal opportunities employer and are open to flexible working, including job share.

Applying for this role

If you would like to request to submit your application in an alternative format to support accessibility, please let us know.  

Please also tell us where you saw the job advertised in your email as we are tracking our applications.

The deadline for applications is before 12:00 noon on Monday 17 July 2023

Interviews

Applications will be assessed against the requirements for the post as set out in the Role Profile and Person Specification.

We are a Disability Confident committed employer. We guarantee an interview to any disabled person who meets the minimum requirements of the role. If this applies to you please complete the relevant sections of the application form. Additionally, if there are any reasonable adjustments that would make this recruitment process smoother for you just complete the relevant section of the application form.  

We aim to notify candidates who have been shortlisted by Thursday 20 July. If you have not heard from us after this date, please assume that you have not been successful.

First interviews will be held on Monday 24 July.  

What can we offer you?

·                Competitive salary

·                28 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), additionally we normally close over the Christmas week)

·                Competitive pension (10% employer contribution)

·                Annual bonus opportunity

·                Flexible working is embraced

·                A vibrant office with terrace overlooking the Thames embankment and Tower Bridge

·                Employee Assistance Programme

·                Life Insurance (4 x salary)

·                Long term illness/incapacity insurance cover (permanent health insurance or PHI)

·                Annual private health check for all employees over 40 once they have completed their probationary period and to employees over 35 after 3 years’ service

·                Discounted gym membership

·                Yearly flu vaccination