Policy Research Officer

Do you have experience in policy, research and analysis in regulation, the public sector or a professional association? Do you want to be a part of the growing organisation where you can really make an impact and get exposure to working directly with senior stakeholders? If so, this could be a great opportunity for you!

About the organisation – CILEx Regulation Ltd. (CRL) CILEx Regulation (CRL) is the independent regulatory body of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, authorising and regulating individual legal professionals and law firms. Their mission is to protect consumers, uphold high professional standards, and foster a diverse and effective legal profession. CRL ensures legal professionals meet rigorous qualification and competence standards, monitor compliance, and take action when necessary. CRL’s values guide everything they do: integrity; excellence; fairness; transparency; efficiency. This is a fantastic opportunity to join CRL at an exciting time of growth and play a key role in its development!

Key facts:

• This is a full-time, permanent role.
• A new role – part of wider investment/resourcing linked to the delivery of the new corporate strategy and plan.
• Starting salary: £36,000 per annum + benefits, including generous pension contributions (8% employer contributions when the employee contributes 3%), a starting holiday entitlement of 25 days per year plus public holidays, access to healthcare plans and discount schemes, learning and development opportunities, and flexible remote working arrangements. Compressed hours option is available (4 day week OR 9 day fortnight).
• Home-based - you can be based anywhere in the UK.
• Able to attend in-person events, for which travel/subsistence costs reimbursed e.g. bi-annual employer team building days; conferences; role-related meetings involving the ombudsman, other regulators (dates well known in advance).

The role: As a Policy Research Officer, you’ll be at the forefront of shaping regulatory policies, conducting in-depth research on legal and regulatory issues, developing policy recommendations, and supporting the implementation of key initiatives. This dynamic role is perfect for someone with experience in policy research ideally within a regulatory setting, and who is eager to make a role their own and contribute to an organisation’s growth. You’ll have the opportunity to engage with senior stakeholders, and gain credit and high visibility for your work. You'll receive mentoring and support from experienced colleagues, enabling and empowering you to take ownership, grow, and make a meaningful contribution.

Key responsibilities:

• Conduct research on legal and regulatory issues, including developing research briefs and liaison with third party research providers where appropriate.
• Analyse and interpret quantitative and qualitative data to identify key policy issues and trends.
• Develop and draft policy recommendations and reports.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of existing policies, making recommendations for improvement.
• Provide briefings and advice to senior management and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to inform policy development, including liaison with the research teams at CILEX, the Legal Services Board, Legal Services Consumer Panel and other legal services stakeholders.
• Prepare and present findings in both written and oral formats.
• Assist in the preparation of responses to formal consultations, briefings, questionnaires and customer-facing documentation.
• Work with the Senior Policy Officer to secure consumer feedback and input, and engage with CILEX members, to inform the development of regulatory policy and practice.
• Stay updated on relevant legal and regulatory developments.
• Comply with the principles of GDPR and the Internal Governance Rules.
• Carry out such further duties as directed from time to time.

About You:

Essential:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent.
• Proven experience in policy research and analysis.
• Experience of research, analysis and application of research findings.
• Experience in drafting policy documents and reports.
• Understanding of legal and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience of project management methodology, systems and techniques.
• IT literate and proficient in Microsoft Office.

Desirable:

• Experience of consumer research or working with consumer panels.
• Regulatory or legal services experience.
• Knowledge of legal service delivery.

Key Skills & Behaviours:

• Strong research and analytical skills, with proficiency in research databases and tools.
• Communicates effectively, both verbally and in writing, with precision and conciseness.
• Confident in presenting research findings to diverse audiences online and in person.
• Manages time and workload effectively, meeting deadlines and handling conflicting priorities.
• Works independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Uses appropriate methods to research, interpret, and analyze complex legal and regulatory information.
• Demonstrates curiosity and a desire to explore data in depth.
• Builds and maintains effective internal and external relationships with integrity and professionalism.
• Takes a professional and focused approach, demonstrating persistence in achieving results.
• Committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and continuous learning and development.
• Stays calm under pressure while working quickly and efficiently.

If you’re proactive, analytical, and eager to make an impact in policy development - we’d love to hear from you!