Senior Policy Advisor in London

CONTRACT TYPE: Eighteen month Fixed-term Contract, Full-time (to run to end of January 2028)

DEPARTMENT: Policy and Public Affairs, Corporate Affairs

LOCATION: London - hybrid

PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: anticipated range £58,600 - £66,000pa (plus London Weighting £5,441pa), depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE: The BBC’s Charter, which gives us our right to exist, is being reviewed. We’re recruiting a Senior Policy Advisor in our BBC Policy team to help lead and develop our policy priorities ahead of Charter Review. This role will report into the Head of Policy with the opportunity for real impact and influence over senior level decision making. Our team advises the BBC on its regulatory and public policy environment. It manages the BBC’s relationship with key external stakeholders and leads the development of public policy positions.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM: This is a rare opportunity to play a central role shaping the BBC’s future at a pivotal moment. Happening just once every decade, Charter Review has national significance. You’ll work in a high-profile, supportive team at the heart of the BBC, engaging with complex policy issues that attract attention across government, industry and the public, influencing decisions that will define the organisation for years to come. It’s a unique chance to make a meaningful impact in a collaborative, inclusive environment.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT:

• Advising senior leaders, executives, and the Board on policy developments relevant to the BBC’s next Charter Review.
• Ensure BBC Board, Executive Committee and Senior Leaders are properly informed on key policy issues as they prepare for Charter Review and start engagement with DCMS and wider stakeholders.
• Managing relationships with key parts of the business and important external stakeholders in Government or the wider industry.
• Drafting high quality reports and submissions/response to UK Government, Ofcom, and EU institutions as appropriate, and briefing documents for BBC senior management.
• Anticipating and monitoring media and news sector related policy initiatives in the UK and EU, including those established by UK Government, Ofcom, and European institutions, and to advise on BBC implications.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Proven ability to evaluate complex issues and policy options and propose effective solutions, including experience of advising at Board-level on a range of public policy matters.
• Excellent written and spoken communications skills, with experience of establishing effective relationships and having impact and the ability to effectively influence across senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience of working on policy issues and managing multiple priorities.
• Demonstrable experience of working effectively with organisations, government departments or regulators across a range of policy and regulatory issues.
• Ability to anticipate and assess key industry issues and to understand how audience and market behaviour is affected by regulatory intervention.
• Experience of defining scope of work streams and managing project processes and outputs to a high standard of quality and timeliness.

DESIRABLE:

• Excellent understanding of public policy and regulatory frameworks with proven ability on applying to complex real-world situations.
• A clear understanding of the legislative and regulatory framework of the communications sector in the UK, and, preferably, internationally.
• Experience of engaging with government and regulatory authorities on a range of policy issues.

If you can bring some of these skills and experiences, along with transferable strengths, we’d love to hear from you and encourage you to apply.

Benefits:

• Fair pay and flexible benefits including a competitive salary package, a flexible 35-hour working week, 25 days annual leave with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme and discounted dental, health care and gym.
• Excellent career and professional development.
• Support in your working life, including flexible working which you can discuss with us at any point during the application, selection or offer.
• A values-based organisation where the way we do things is important as what we do.

Benefits may vary if you are joining on an FTC basis or on an orchestra conditions contract.

Before your start date, you may need to disclose any unspent convictions or police charges, in line with our Contracts of Employment policy. This allows us to discuss any support you may need and assess any risks. Failure to disclose may result in the withdrawal of your offer.

Disclaimer: This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.

Please note: If you were to be offered this role, the BBC will conduct Employment screening checks which include Reference checks; Eligibility to work checks; and if applicable to the role, Safeguarding and Adverse media/Social media checks. Any offer made is conditional on these checks being satisfactory.

Disability confident: We are a disability confident employer. If you need to discuss adjustments or access requirements for the interview process, or to carry out this role, please contact us via email and we’d be happy to discuss.

We welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.