At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and deliver impactful transport policies while collaborating with diverse stakeholders.
- Company: Department for Transport, a key player in enhancing England's road experience.
- Benefits: Generous pension contributions, flexible working, and 25+ days annual leave.
- Other info: Join a diverse team with excellent career growth and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives through innovative transport policy development.
- Qualifications: Experience in regulatory policy, stakeholder engagement, and drafting briefings for senior audiences.
The Traffic and Technology Division sits at the forefront of shaping how people experience England’s roads every day. We deliver fast-paced, high-profile policy and digital services that directly influence the safety, efficiency and accessibility of the transport network. Our remit spans street signs, street works and parking policy - areas that attract significant ministerial attention and public interest. Joining this team means working in a dynamic environment where your decisions help solve real problems for road users. From leading on one of the largest regulatory reviews that the Department will be undertaking, focusing on traffic signs and directions, as well as contributing to the publication of the revised Manual for Streets, the work you lead will have tangible, meaningful impact on people’s lives across the country.
In this role you will shape and deliver policy in the Division, working closely with policy colleagues in DfT and across Government, analysts, Ministers and Private Offices, and external partners in the transport sector. You will provide clear, timely advice and high-quality briefings for Ministers and senior officials and support the development and implementation of traffic legislation and standards.
Top Responsibilities- Provide clear, timely advice, briefings and submissions to Ministers and senior officials, setting out evidence-based options and recommendations, focusing on the review of The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016.
- Lead policy development to support the implementation and update of traffic management regulation and policy.
- Plan and lead stakeholder engagement, building and maintaining effective working relationships with partners across DfT, wider Government and the traffic sector.
- Lead on team planning and project management, ensuring products are delivered on time, to a high standard.
- Adapt to changing business needs by reprioritising at pace and taking on new responsibilities where required.
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
- 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
- Access to the staff discount portal.
- Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
- Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
- 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
You will need the following experience:
- Experience in regulatory policy development and delivering legislation.
- Experience working collaboratively across multiple teams and with diverse stakeholder groups, building effective relationships to deliver shared outcomes.
- Experience drafting clear briefings and submissions for senior audiences, synthesising complex evidence and setting out well-reasoned conclusions.
- Proven ability to think strategically and consider wider impacts when making recommendations.
- Track record of working independently, prioritising effectively to meet tight deadlines while maintaining high-quality outputs.
- Experience adapting quickly to changing priorities, reprioritising at pace and delivering under pressure.
This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Monday 18th May 2026.
Senior Policy Advisor in Birmingham employer: Department for Transport
Contact Detail:
Department for Transport Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Policy Advisor in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees in the Department for Transport on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching recent policy changes in transport. We want to show that we’re not just interested in the role, but also passionate about making a difference in the sector.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a mate to do a mock interview with you. Focus on articulating your experience in regulatory policy development and how it aligns with the job description.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Policy Advisor in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the responsibilities of the Senior Policy Advisor role. We want to see how you can contribute to shaping transport policy, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects you've worked on!
Be Clear and Concise: When drafting your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and get straight to the point. Remember, you’ll be providing briefings for Ministers, so showing that you can communicate complex ideas simply will definitely work in your favour.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills: This role involves a lot of collaboration, so make sure to highlight your experience working with diverse teams and stakeholders. We love seeing examples of how you've built effective relationships and delivered shared outcomes in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and the application process there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Department for Transport
✨Know Your Policy Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest traffic management regulations and policies. Familiarise yourself with The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, as well as any recent updates or reviews. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but also knowledgeable about the key issues at play.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with diverse stakeholders in the past. Think about specific instances where you built effective relationships to achieve shared outcomes. This is crucial for a Senior Policy Advisor role, so be ready to discuss your approach and the results.
✨Drafting Mastery
Since you'll be drafting briefings and submissions for senior officials, practice summarising complex information clearly and concisely. Bring along samples of your previous work if possible, as this can demonstrate your ability to synthesise evidence and present well-reasoned conclusions.
✨Adaptability is Key
Be prepared to discuss how you've adapted to changing priorities in your previous roles. Think of specific examples where you had to reprioritise tasks quickly and still deliver high-quality outputs under pressure. This will highlight your ability to thrive in a dynamic environment like the one at the Department for Transport.