Head of Engagement and Policy

Head of Engagement and Policy

Hours: Part-time (28 hours per week across 4 days at 7-hours per day; or another pattern agreed by management)
Salary: £59,000 - £63,000 pro rata for 0.8 FTE (i.e. £47,200 - £50,400 for 28 hours per week)
Location: Hybrid working at Science Council offices in London and working from home

The Science Council is seeking a Head of Engagement and Policy to lead a high performing and resilient engagement team. This team delivers engagement in its widest sense, spanning communications, media and digital; policy, influence and public affairs; events; engagement with current and potential member organisations, a diverse community of volunteers, employers and other key stakeholders. The team promotes and develops the Science Council’s excellent work around Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Current major projects include: launching and supporting our new employer network; replacing our website; promoting and increasing professional registration. You will ensure that the team reviews, reflects and improves its work at every opportunity.

The Science Council connects the science professions to foster knowledge exchange and offer interdisciplinary recognition for scientists around the world. Our ambition is to see a diverse and growing science profession that is trusted, respected and equipped to deliver local, regional, national and global strategic priorities.

This role is hands-on, requiring strategic, organisational and practitioner skills. You will work in partnership with key stakeholder groups, deliver activity and impact in line with the Science Council Strategy 2025-2028. You will shape, lead, manage and develop the Engagement team such that high quality, cost effective and resilient engagement increases the profile, impact and revenue of the Science Council. 

You will need excellent experience in successfully shaping and developing impactful engagement portfolios (e.g. policy, communications, events) and success in setting and achieving prioritised objectives for policy and/or other engagement. Your engagement and strategic communications will have been in the UK at national level. 

You must be able to think strategically, provide strategic advice and demonstrate initiative and creativity. You will have your own engagement specialism and insight into other engagement specialisms, sufficient to be able to lead, manage, challenge, inspire and develop the team successfully and work effectively with engagement specialists in other organisations. 

To apply, please follow the link to the online platform to download and review the full job description and person specification. Please apply with your CV (2-3 pages) and a personal statement (2-3 pages) demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria in the person specification (particularly list 1). 

Closing date: Wednesday 23rd April 2025
Interviews: Wednesday 7th May in central London

The Science Council is committed to equal opportunities and values diversity in its workforce. We support flexible working and are open to considering job share arrangements. We are committed to developing our people.

No agencies please.

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