Policy & Stakeholder Engagement Lead in Manchester

Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce represents a dynamic community of over 4,200 businesses, collectively employing more than 400,000 people. As the UK’s largest accredited Chamber, we’re committed to helping businesses succeed—locally, nationally, and globally. Based in the heart of Manchester city centre, our work spans all corners of Greater Manchester, connecting with organisations across the region.

We are seeking to appoint a Policy Manager to strengthen our work identifying the key issues facing businesses and ensuring our members’ views are effectively represented to policymakers and decision-makers. This role places you at the forefront of employer and stakeholder engagement across a broad range of policy areas. It offers a unique opportunity to influence external audiences, shape policy outcomes, and ensure the voice of business is heard.

If you are a recent graduate or have about two years experience in policy or public affairs, this would be an ideal role for you. As well as a good understanding of general business issues, experience or knowledge of skills policy would be highly advantageous as the Chamber is the designated Employer Representative Body for the Greater Manchester Local Skills Improvement Plan.

You will play an important part within a forward-thinking team committed to influencing policy, raising workforce skill levels, and improving opportunities for residents across Greater Manchester. The Chamber’s skills policy work is playing an increasingly vital role in the strength and growth of the regional economy. This is a distinctive opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the continued success and growth of businesses across Greater Manchester.

THE ROLE:

The Policy Manager will have the following responsibilities:

• Supporting the work of the Chamber’s Director of Business Policy and Research developing activity to ensure the successful delivery of the Chamber’s policy activity.
• Developing and managing all employer and stakeholder engagement activity, including round-table events and other meetings to gather employer information and evidence that will support the development and on-going delivery GM Chamber policy work.
• Working closely with the Chamber’s Membership team amongst other relevant groups to maximise engagement opportunities.
• Devising an external and internal strategy and plan that ensures awareness of and active engagement with work around the GMLSIP.
• Keep updated on and ensure that all activity reflects latest changes to national and local skills and wider business policy.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Outgoing, ambitious, personable and able to form and maintain effective working relationships and partnerships with a range of people across different organisations and businesses.
• Ideally, relevant experience working in a similar business engagement/policy manager role.
• Experience of event organisation and helping create supporting marketing and comms material.
• Able to undertake work with minimum supervision but still form part of an effective team.
• Able to devise strategies and work plans and deliver them successfully.
• Attention to detail and accuracy whilst dealing with possible high volumes of information and data.
• Have an understanding of the GM business community and the key issues that impact it.

To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter explaining why you should be considered for this role to Subrahmaniam.KrishnanHarihara@gmchamber.co.uk. Applications without a covering letter will not be considered.

Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and welcome candidates from all backgrounds. All applicants must have the right to work in the UK.