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- Tasks: Lead impactful policies to enhance early years education and support disadvantaged children.
- Company: Join the Education Endowment Foundation, a mission-driven charity transforming education.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, generous holiday, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- Why this job: Shape evidence-informed policy and make a real difference in early years education.
- Qualifications: Experience in education policy and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 53050 - 53050 £ per year.
Central London, SW1 (with hybrid working a minimum of one day per week in the London office)
About Us
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) is an independent charity dedicated to breaking the link between family income and educational achievement. We do this by supporting schools, colleges, and nurseries to improve teaching and learning through better use of evidence. We generate research evidence on effective practice in supporting learning outcomes and narrowing the socioeconomic attainment gap, and we work with education professionals to ensure this evidence is applied to achieve the maximum possible benefit for children and young people.
The EEF's reach and impact have been tremendous: the English education system is now one of the most evidence-informed in the world. Over half of state primary and secondary schools have taken part in an EEF-funded trial, and 70% of all school leaders use the Teaching and Learning Toolkit to inform their decision-making.
We are now looking for a Senior Early Years Policy Manager to join us on a full-time, permanent basis, working 40 hours per week.
The Benefits
- Salary of £53,050 per annum
- Flexible working opportunities
- 27 days holiday a year (plus 8 bank holidays, including 3 which can be taken flexibly)
- 2 festive season closure days
- 6% employer pension contributions, minimum 3% employee contribution
- Life insurance cover
- Interest-free season ticket loan and cycle scheme
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave pay (conditions apply)
- Confidential Employee Assistance Programme to help you deal with any personal and professional problems
This is a rewarding opportunity for an educational policy professional with expertise in the early years landscape to join our mission-led organisation. You will have the chance to lead high-impact initiatives that influence how early years education is delivered, helping to improve outcomes for young children and the professionals who support them. What's more, you will be enabled and supported to develop your expertise, gaining valuable insight and exposure to position yourself as an expert within the early years sector. So, if you want to play a leading role in shaping evidence-informed policy across early years education, apply now and help us drive meaningful change.
The Role
As a Senior Early Years Policy Manager, you will lead the development of policies to support our work in the early years education sector. Seeking to influence national education policy, you will play a vital role in the creation of a programme of support for educational policymakers. Your overall aim will be to ensure that focus is placed on disadvantaged children, quality of practice and the use of evidence in early years settings. You will work with our Early Years Lead and Head of Policy to identify our priorities, establish our policy position and build the relationships that will deliver them. Communicating our early years policy position to relevant and varied audiences, you will also support our data to improve evaluation and enable the end-to-end delivery of strategic projects.
Additionally, you will:
- Support our work on professional development in early years education
- Lead projects to improve training and support for teachers and leaders
- Ensure our wider activity reflects our policies
- Maintain your understanding of early years policy developments
- Support and update our senior team on policy-related work
About You
To be considered as a Senior Early Years Policy Manager, you will need:
- Experience working in education policy or a related field
- An excellent understanding of the early years English education landscape and relevant government policies
- The ability to analyse complex policy problems and identify opportunities for research to inform policy solutions
- The ability to build relationships with policymakers and other stakeholders
- Strong project management skills and the ability to work in complex and changing delivery environments
- Strong attention to detail and a curiosity to engage deeply with evidence and research
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- A collaborative and pragmatic approach, coupled with the ability to build relationships
- Strong advocacy for equity, diversity and inclusion
- A degree level qualification in a relevant field
All EEF staff are subject to a check by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The level of this check will be Basic. The closing date for this role is 25th May 2026.
Other organisations may call this role Early Years Education Policy Manager, Education Policy Manager, Senior Education Policy Advisor, Education Policy Consultant, or Education Policy Lead.
Webrecruit and the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) are equal opportunities employers, value diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.
So, if you want to contribute to our mission as a Senior Early Years Policy Manager, please apply via the button shown. This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.
Senior Early Years Policy Manager employer: Education Endowment Foundation
Contact Detail:
Education Endowment Foundation Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Early Years Policy Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the early years education sector on LinkedIn or at events. Building relationships can open doors and give you insider info about job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the latest trends in early years policy. Show us you’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable about the field. Bring your A-game and be ready to discuss how you can make an impact!
✨Tip Number 3
Tailor your approach! When you apply through our website, make sure to highlight your relevant experience and how it aligns with our mission. We want to see how you can contribute to breaking the link between family income and educational achievement.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can set you apart from other candidates. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in our minds as we make decisions.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Early Years Policy Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Early Years Policy Manager role. Highlight your experience in education policy and how it aligns with our mission at the Education Endowment Foundation.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills in project management and communication can help us influence early years education policy. Use specific examples to illustrate your points.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who is not only qualified but also passionate about improving educational outcomes for disadvantaged children.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people and shows your enthusiasm for joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Education Endowment Foundation
✨Know Your Policy Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest early years education policies and government initiatives. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the landscape, but that you're also passionate about making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare examples of your project management experience, especially in complex environments. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully led initiatives in the past, as this role requires strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
✨Build Relationships Like a Pro
Think about how you've built relationships with stakeholders in previous roles. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've influenced policy or collaborated with others to achieve common goals. This will demonstrate your ability to connect with policymakers effectively.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, both verbally and in writing. Since the role involves communicating complex ideas to varied audiences, being able to convey your message succinctly will be key. Consider doing mock interviews to refine your delivery.