Senior Policy Manager

To act as the company senior lead and advocate on matters relating to 16 to 19 provision to raise awareness of the challenges, drive the policy agenda and increase our position and engagement within the 16 to 19 market (current and new members)

• Lead on the engagement with DfE/ESFA’s policy and funding division for 16-19 provision including coordinating roundtables and production of policy papers/briefings
• Increase the emphasis on company policy and lobbying activities for 16 to 19 provision, particularly around areas such as: the new government’s curriculum and qualifications review; youth guarantee; review of maths and English curriculum and assessment; changes to the 16 to 19 conditions for funding tolerance
• Liaise with Local/Combined Authorities/Mayors to highlight the importance of 16 to 19 provision and the current challenges i.e. accessing High Needs Funding
• Lead for the business on the Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR).
• Work with the Public Affairs Manager to support, organise and co-ordinate visits by officials and MPs to 16 to 19 ITPs
• Work with the Communications Manager to implement the 16 to 19 Comms Plan.
• Work with members to develop a collection of case studies and external promotion of articles to evidence impact and activity of ITPs delivering 16 to 19 provision.
• Promote the work of ITPs in the 16 to 19 landscape and help to raise awareness of their challenges
• Oversee and co-ordinate the 16 to 19 Special Interest Group (SIG) – maintaining a meaningful, action-focused group to drive the 16 to 19 agenda with members
• Work with the Membership Sales Manager to increase the 16 to 19 membership base building on our existing community of providers
• Lead on the collation of relevant and meaningful data and subsequent insights  to support wider activity on the promotion and impact of provider involvement in 16 to 19 provision
• To meet regularly with individual 16 to 19 members who are investing in this role to understand challenges, provide progress, update and to report and track deliverables and milestones.
• Act, at all times, as a positive ambassador and proponent of the business and its services
• Other duties that may be required within the business from time to time

Person Specification (E = essential)          

• Recent involvement in 16 to 19 provision including full awareness of policy and funding requirements and regulations at a senior level (E) including but not limited to: access to high needs funding; challenging new conditions of funding for maths and English; qualification reforms (level 3 and below); growth capping; lagged and in-year responsiveness; capital funding; subcontracting arrangements
• Experience and extensive knowledge of 16 to 19 sector challenges, data and national trends, and the ability to interpret these into policy papers/briefings (E)
• Experience of liaising with key stakeholders – DfE, ESFA, Local/Combined Authorities/Mayors (E)
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) including presentation skills, listening and questioning skills etc. (E)
• Able to influence with strong advocacy skills (E)
• Seen as a credible and trusted source of information and support by stakeholders (E)

Paul Feldman is the National Skills Agency Data Protection Officer. Your data will be stored until notice is given by you for it to be removed. Our Data Protection Policy will be forwarded to you on request. As we get a high number of applications we may be unable to give feedback to unsuccessful candidates. We will retain your details to  keep you informed of other opportunities. National Skills Agency Ltd is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy and is an Equal Opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.