Policy Manager in London

Reporting to: Head of Communication and External Affairs

Contract Type: Permanent

Location: Hybrid (London)

Requirements: Felix can only employ applicants who currently have the right to work in the UK. As part of our safer recruitment policy, we do ask questions regarding unspent criminal records.

We are Felix. We bring people together to rescue, repurpose, and share surplus food that would otherwise go to waste, turning an environmental problem into a social opportunity. Together with 16 other independent charities, 18,000 volunteers, and thousands of partners, we are the UK’s food rescue network, supporting 1.5 million people across the country. We‘re about fuller plates, fuller communities, and fuller lives.

Purpose of the Job

Felix is looking for a Policy Manager to lead our policy agenda and make the case for a redistribution revolution across the UK. Surplus food redistribution sits at the intersection of food systems policy and social and community policy. It touches food waste and the circular economy, food security and resilience, health, and the strength of local communities. For years it has fallen between government departments and ministerial briefs. That is now changing. In May 2026, the government announced the National Programme to Redistribute Surplus Food, convened by Number 10 with Defra, with the explicit goal of tripling surplus food redistribution over the next decade. This programme is the wider policy context for the role.

The Redistribution Revolution Report sets out what it will take to get there: a Scaling Fund for Food Supply, Corporation Tax reform to incentivise the donation of surplus food, embedding redistribution in Food Nation 2040 and the Circular Economy Growth Plan, mandatory reporting on surplus food going to waste, and clear guidance on liability for food donors. As Policy Manager, you will own this agenda and lead the work to turn it into real policy change.

This is an outward-facing role. You will write the policy material that underpins our influencing, from long-form reports to one-page ministerial briefings, and you will make the case in person to ministers, MPs, officials and the food industry. You will support the Food Redistribution Partnership UK, the coalition of the UK’s charitable and community surplus food redistributors, and work closely with our Impact and Insights team so that everything we ask for is well evidenced. You will report to the Head of Communication and External Affairs and sit within our Public Affairs team, working closely with the Senior Public Affairs Officer and alongside colleagues in communications, brand and fundraising, and with charities across the Felix network.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Policy leadership

Own and lead Felix’s policy agenda as set out in The Redistribution Revolution Report, taking each recommendation from proposal to policy change. Lead our work on the report’s priority policies: a Scaling Fund for Food Supply; Corporation Tax reform to incentivise the donation of surplus food; embedding redistribution in Food Nation 2040 and the Circular Economy Growth Plan; mandatory reporting on surplus food going to waste; and official guidance on liability for food donors. Develop Felix’s positions on new and emerging policy issues, and keep our policy agenda up to date as the political context changes. Monitor and analyse political and policy developments across food systems, food waste and the circular economy, health, poverty and communities, and advise colleagues on risks and opportunities. Work with colleagues across the UK, including our Scotland lead, so that our policy agenda works for all four nations, and support our policy work in Wales and Northern Ireland.

• Writing

Write high-quality policy material for a range of audiences, including policy reports, ministerial and parliamentary briefings, consultation responses, evidence submissions and letters. Prepare briefings for the CEO, senior leaders and spokespeople ahead of meetings with ministers, MPs, officials and industry. Work with the Communications team to turn our policy asks into campaign messaging, media content and materials for supporters and partners.

• Government and political engagement

Represent Felix in meetings with ministers, MPs, peers, special advisers and civil servants, making the case for our policy asks face to face. Work alongside the Senior Public Affairs Officer to plan and deliver our political engagement, so that our policy asks and our public affairs activity reinforce each other. Build and maintain relationships with officials across Defra, HM Treasury, Number 10 and other relevant departments. Contribute to Felix’s work as part of the National Programme to Redistribute Surplus Food, working with government and sector partners. Lead our responses to government consultations and select committee inquiries, and support parliamentary activity such as written questions and debates.

• Coalition and industry engagement

Support the Food Redistribution Partnership UK, including developing joint policy positions and coordinating shared policy work across member organisations. Engage with food businesses, trade bodies and industry groups across the supply chain to build support for our policy asks and understand the barriers businesses face in donating surplus food. Build relationships with think tanks, academics, NGOs and other partners whose work aligns with ours.

• Evidence

Work closely with the Impact and Insights team so that our policy agenda is well evidenced, identifying evidence gaps and helping to shape research. Turn research and data into clear, persuasive policy arguments.

Your normal duties and responsibilities will be set out in your job description. However, the charity may require you to perform other duties from time to time.

Person Specification

We are looking for an excellent writer and communicator who is just as comfortable making the case in a minister’s office as at a keyboard. You will move easily between long-form policy reports, sharp one-page briefings and detailed consultation responses, adapting your style to each audience. You will understand how policy is made and how to influence it, whether that comes from experience in Westminster, local government, or policy and public affairs roles elsewhere. You will be confident building relationships with ministers, MPs, officials and food businesses, and representing Felix in the room. You will be curious about a policy space that sits between food systems and social and community policy, and able to make the case for redistribution to audiences on both sides. You will work well with others, from colleagues across Felix and our network to a coalition of partner organisations, and you will be organised enough to keep several policy areas moving at once.

It would be a plus if you also have:

• Westminster experience, for example working for an MP, a political party or in government.
• Experience of policy or politics in Wales or Northern Ireland.
• Experience of coalition working or joint advocacy across several organisations.
• Knowledge of food systems, food waste, the circular economy, or poverty and community policy.
• Excellent writing skills, with a track record of producing high-quality policy reports, briefings and consultation responses for different audiences.
• Experience in a policy or public affairs role, with a strong understanding of how policy is made and how to influence it.
• Political or government experience, for example in Westminster or local government.
• Confidence engaging with senior stakeholders face to face, including ministers, MPs, officials and business leaders.
• Ability to develop policy positions and turn evidence and research into clear, persuasive arguments.
• Strong relationship-building skills, with experience of working with a range of external partners.
• Good political judgement and a sound understanding of the current political landscape.
• Ability to manage several workstreams at once, prioritise well and deliver to tight deadlines.
• Commitment to Felix’s mission of getting good surplus food to people and communities.

Equity Diversity Inclusion & Belonging

At Felix, we are committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in everything we do. We value the unique contributions of every individual and strive to create a respectful, inclusive environment free from discrimination or prejudice. Our commitment extends to all employees, and volunteers, ensuring equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of background or characteristics.