Senior Policy Manager

Alzheimer’s Research UK is a leading voice on dementia and research, and this postholder will develop a credible and comprehensive policy base for the charity and maintain strong external stakeholder relationships activity with civil servants, researchers, clinicians and decision makers. They will lead a team covering policy across our whole portfolio: prevention and Brain Health, early detection and diagnosis, dementia research, access to new treatments and clinical engagement.

The Senior Policy Manager plays a vital leadership role in the team management and delivery of ARUK’s influencing strategy. The role leads a highly engaged and high-performing policy team that brings Alzheimer’s Research UK’s influencing priorities to life. Through our deep expertise and understanding of what needs to change for people with dementia, we advocate for greater investment in dementia research, greater government action to protect Brain Health and better pathways and practice in the NHS to ensure people with dementia can benefit from breakthroughs. We have a strong reputation for identifying solutions as well as raising awareness of problems.

The Senior Policy Manager brings expertise in developing policy positions, producing compelling and influential policy publications and leading the team to develop new thinking and solutions on dementia and dementia research. Their broad remit will also lead our work to engage the dementia clinical community to build our understanding of care pathways within the NHS and new models of care including Brain Health Clinics.

The Senior Policy Manager reports into the Head of Policy and Public Affairs and works closely with colleagues across our Communications, and Information and Involvement teams to ensure that Alzheimer’s Research UK continues to be positioned as the go-to organisation on dementia and dementia research. The postholder will be experienced at managing people to achieve impact and working across multiple projects.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leadership of the Policy team, line managing four Managers and a team of around 9 people.
• Manage the day-to-day budgeting and reforecasting process with an expenditure budget of circa £200,000 ensuring that the team operates cost effectively in meeting its objectives.
• Provide a high level of expertise on dementia and dementia research across the organisation and externally, through leadership of the policy team.
• Develop, manage and deliver a substantial programme of high-quality policy analysis and proposals for change.
• Lead the delivery, from conception to launch, of influential policy publications of the highest quality that have significant external and media impact.
• Leadership of working groups to deliver the strategic and influencing priorities for ARUK.
• Responsible for producing and maintaining policy briefings for senior colleagues, often at short notice, to support their attendance at meetings with key stakeholders.
• Representation of ARUK on external working groups, at events, and in the media.
• Provide strong leadership and support to the Policy team, through coaching, mentoring and developing individuals to create a thriving policy function.
• Facilitate team building and collaborative working to deliver the strategic and operational plans.

Policy development

• Lead the team to keep abreast of the policy environment, building and maintaining a deep understanding of current issues and trends and producing insight and analysis for the organisation.
• Work with policy managers to develop and implement a structured programme of policy work that identifies the key factors that need to change in order to ensure that the Government is taking action to ensure a pioneering and protective dementia research ecosystem, protect Brain Health, ensure people receive an early and accurate diagnosis of dementia, and new treatments are made available without delay, bringing new innovative policy ideas and solutions to make this happen.
• Identify policy areas in which ARUK is seeking greatest action and develop strategies to influence and effect positive change, ensuring a coherent narrative and strategy sitting across our various programmes of policy work.
• Commission strategic research projects or commission analysis to further the aims of the organisation.
• Responsible for working closely with the Information and Involvement team to ensure the involvement of people affected by dementia in the development of ARUK’s policy priorities and positions.
• Overseeing the timely delivery of effective and credible policy outputs of the highest quality – including reports, briefings and discussion papers.

Stakeholder relations and influencing

• Support the development of the department’s influencing strategy and deliver policy work that provides a strong evidence base and clear recommendations for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
• Work across the organisation to develop good forward planning and stakeholder management processes and mechanisms that help us to manage and derive insights from key organisational relationships and maximise the impact of our influencing work.
• Represent ARUK to a range of decision-makers and stakeholders; this will involve participating in public events, making presentations and acting as a media spokesperson.
• Build relationships with civil servants, academics, dementia organisations, think tanks and other key stakeholders, establishing opportunities for partnership working and commissioning new insights
• Work with the Senior Public Affairs and Campaigns Manager to develop a synergistic Public Affairs and Campaigns strategy that embeds and exploits our policy work
• Work across Policy and Public Affairs department to ensure there is good co-ordination and communication of policy throughout the charity in order to foster a shared understanding of ARUK’s policies and issues.
• Work closely with colleagues across the charity to ensure that ARUK’s external messaging and activities reflect our policy priorities and positions.
• Undertake any other relevant duties and projects delegated by the Head of Policy and Public Affairs in line with the responsibilities of the post.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• Experience working in a policy role in a national organisation in the private, public, or voluntary sector.
• Experience working with the policy makers, including managing complex health, science or policy issues.
• Experience developing and delivering a range of policy publications, with a track record of influencing policy change.
• Experience commissioning think tanks and other research agencies and using insights to shape policy outputs and framing.
• Experience working with clinicians or expert professionals to inform policy activity and for influence.
• Experience working with people affected by dementia, and ensuring policy outputs reflect their experiences.
• Knowledge of how to develop inclusive communications, particularly producing accessible resources.
• Detailed understanding of the medical research environment.
• Exemplary leadership with both short- and long-term strategic vision.
• Excellent policy development skills and an understanding of how to influence through thought leadership and in the media.
• Strong leadership skills and experience of managing diverse teams.
• Excellent organisational skills; the ability to manage a large number of tasks to meet multiple deadlines.
• Strong accountability, making decisions collaboratively with colleagues and clearly communicating the reasons for these decisions.  
• Excellent communicator with an ability to build relationships and inspire confidence and respect at all levels. Demonstrates strong negotiation and decision-making skills.
• Excellent listening skills, receptive to feedback and demonstrates flexibility, curiosity and an ability to learn.
• Strong team player who can work both independently and collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
• A self-starter, able to work with independence, intelligence, drive and initiative to identify new opportunities and areas of strategic growth.
• Focus on impact and keen ability to prioritise.
• An eye for detail, able to write compelling accurate content for a variety of policy outputs.
• Ability to spot opportunities and develop them for the benefit of ARUK and its beneficiaries.
• Ability to explain complex information to all stakeholders.
• A confident speaker, able to represent the charity to the highest level in meetings, at conferences and in the media.
• Demonstrates and encourages ownership and responsibility; builds drive and motivation in others – has a ‘can-do’ attitude and is committed to delivering results and strives for continuous improvement.
• Strong ethical standards and a high level of personal integrity.
• Willingness and ability to travel independently in the UK and beyond, to work outside of regular office hours.

The closing date for applications is the 28th April 2024, with interviews likely to be held week commencing the 6th May 2024. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity as the closing date may be brought forward at any time. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.