Head of Education and Skills, Policy Connect
Location:
London
Salary: circa £28,884 to £32,896. Salary includes a £400 travel and mobile allowance.
Pension contribution on completion of 3 month probationary period.
Policy Connect is the leading network of Parliamentary groups, research commissions,
forums and campaigns working to inform and improve UK public policy. Working across
a wide range of policy areas, covering mainstream and niche issues, the Policy Connect
network of groups is recognised for providing the highest quality in impartial, policy-led
research, events and campaigning. We are a private limited company, a social
enterprise and a not for profit organisation.
Eligibility to work in the UK is required.
Role outline
We are looking for an experienced person to lead our work in Skills and Higher
Education, reporting to the CEO. This includes taking overall responsibility for the Skills
Commission, the Higher Education Commission and the All Party Parliamentary Group
for Skills and Employment. The ideal candidate will have strong experience working in
Parliament, public policy, research and/or public affairs, and will preferably have
experience of the education and skills sector.
See Job description and person specification below for more details.
How to apply
Please read the job description and candidate specification, and send your CV and a
covering letter and a completed equal opportunities monitoring form to
lucy.thirsk@policyconnect.org.uk. Please ensure that your covering letter refers
specifically to how your experience relates to the main duties and person
specifications required for this role.
Closing date: 5pm Monday 25 January 2016
Planned interview date: Wednesday 3 February 2016
Job Description
Overview
We are looking for someone to Head the Education and Skills Team in Policy Connect,
reporting directly to the Chief Executive. You will need to set the strategy and
implementation plans for the team and be innovative in establishing new partnerships,
memberships and streams of activity and income. You will be liaising with our
parliamentary officers, Commissioners, and Policy Connect Board members.
Detail
Membership
 Maintain an active membership, retaining existing members and recruiting new
members
 Maintain effective membership systems
Research, events, and strategy
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Lead the development of long term strategies for the policy area
Support Commissioners and Board members
Lead and oversee research on potential subjects for future events, projects or
research programmes
Oversee the delivery of meeting and event programmes
Manage and undertake research including the production of high level reports
Ensure a strong working relationship across all Policy Connect groups and forums,
facilitating events and projects, including with partners
Communication
 Provide policy and political advice to parliamentarians, and senior figures in the
public, private and third sectors
 Represent Policy Connect externally and build and develop a network
 Provide a weekly report of the team’s activities, issues, opportunities and comments
 Oversee management of websites
 Regular liaison with all key stakeholders
 Work in partnership with the Communications Manager to develop media campaigns
and increase our press and social media reach
Finance
 Lead the sourcing of new funding across education and skills
 Lead the development and monitoring of annual budgets and business plans
 Complete monthly financial monitoring
 Ensure that invoices are raised promptly and aged debtors are pursued
Head Office
 Work closely with the Policy Connect events and communications team to ensure the
successful implementation of the events programme
 Support the Office Manager to deliver all HR services including adherence to the HR
policies
Line Management Responsibilities
 Provide direct line management, support, development and supervision for a team of
three
 Follow Policy Connect and legal requirements
General Responsibilities
 Actively seek out opportunities which promote the interests of the wider organisation
 Attend regular internal meetings as required, engaging in open dialogue with peer
group members and the Chief Executive
 Take an interest and participate in cross company activity which may include but not
be limited to project teams, new initiatives or central administrative support, leading
where appropriate
 Demonstrate a flexible approach as additional duties commensurate with the grade
of this post may occur from time to time
 Actively participate in regular performance reviews and appraisal meetings with line
manager
 Be responsible for own personal and professional development
 Establish and build a strong relationship with Policy Connect Directors involved in the
Education and Skills team work
 Undertake all duties within Policy Connect’s procedures and guidelines including but
not limited to:
 Adhering to financial control and HR procedures;
 Ensuring correct use of corporate identity;
 Fulfilling of personal and managerial Health and Safety responsibilities;
 Equal Opportunities and Diversity
 Use of agreed project management and events systems; and
 Delegate and oversee hub responsibilities.
 Adhere to Policy Connect Scrutiny Procedures
Head of Education and Skills - Person Specification
Knowledge and Qualifications
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Educated to degree level, or equivalent, or substantial relevant work experience
In depth and current working knowledge of public policy around higher education,
further education, skills, and employment
Knowledge of the work of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills,
Department for Education and relevant non departmental public bodies, sector trade
bodies and mission groups
Knowledge of Parliament and/or a policy-making environment
Experience
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Managing and leading a team
High level report writing
Experience of high-level stakeholder relationship management, at board level in the
public, private and third sectors, including working with parliamentarians and civil
servants
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Experience in the education and/or skills sector
Human Resource management, including recruitment, staff management,
succession planning and workforce development
Producing high quality written reports for stakeholders and senior level parliamentary
and government figures
Strategic and day to day financial management
Identifying and engaging external stakeholders to develop new business and
generate income
Contributing to business and strategic planning
Presenting own ideas and influencing senior level stakeholders
Skills and abilities
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The ability to provide effective leadership and direction, especially in times of change
Excellent organisational skills – able to plan, manage and deliver a complex range of
services, prioritising and delegating as required
Proven communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to identify, build and
maintain effective working relationships with business, policy makers and other
external stakeholders
Experienced in working collaboratively with others, internally and externally, to
deliver results
Proven written and verbal skills, including presentations and public speaking
Able to self motivate, working on own initiative and as a member of a team
Able to work under pressure with a demanding workload, to successfully deliver
results within established timescales and budgets
Excellent ICT skills, including proficiency in the use of MS Outlook, Word and Excel
Ability to work at a strategic level, as well as an operational level as a member of a
small team
Personal Qualities
 A commitment to the aims, purpose and vision of the organisation
 Able to build rapport and establish, develop and maintain strong and successful
relationships
 High level of personal gravitas, professionalism and credibility; influential and
persuasive
 Flexible and adaptable to new and changing contexts (such as political change)
 High level of self-awareness, with a commitment to personal and professional
development
 Willing and able to work co-operatively with others in the organisation
Other
 Able to travel to external events
 Prepared to work flexibly, including additional hours and some evening and
occasional weekend working, as required
 Able to add value through contacts and knowledge within the sector