Senior Policy Advisor - FTC 2026

We are working with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), a professional membership body representing architects and championing excellence in the built environment. This Senior Policy Advisor role is an exciting opportunity for an experienced policy professional to play a leading role in shaping and delivering RIBA's policy programme. The role offers the chance to influence public policy across key built environment issues and ensure RIBA's expertise and member insight are reflected in national policy debate.

Reporting to the Director of Policy and Public Affairs and working closely with colleagues across the organisation, the Senior Policy Advisor will act as RIBA's in‑house policy expert. The role combines policy development, research and consultation work with high‑level stakeholder engagement, including supporting engagement with parliamentarians, government and the wider sector.

Main Responsibilities

• Design and deliver a policy programme that feeds into long and short‑term policy priorities.
• Commission or conduct new research and assist with communication and production of material for publication and the web.
• Design and deliver projects and policy consultation work with input from RIBA's expert members.
• Act as the in‑house expert adviser and first port of call for internal and external stakeholders on core areas of policy responsibility.
• Combine detailed policy knowledge with the ability to provide policy context to assist the development contact programme with MPs, Peers, Ministers, civil servants and key stakeholder organisations.
• Produce policy content for briefing materials, speeches and articles for RIBA trustees and members on key political and policy developments.
• Interpret and communicate the impacts of political developments and identify opportunities to engage with the public policy debate through activity in parliament, the media and the wider sector.
• Input into press work relevant to policy issues.

Skills and Experience

• A track record of successful policy development and research.
• Strong experience of influencing policy to effect change.
• A good understanding of policy processes, including knowledge of central and local Government structures, and how bodies like the RIBA can influence the policy making process is essential.
• An ability to translate detailed technical points into outputs accessible to general audiences.
• A proven track record of communicating key messages to different stakeholders in a commercial environment.
• The ability to commission and manage external work effectively.
• An understanding of and the ability to apply project management techniques.
• Written and spoken communication skills.
• Experience or interest in built environment policy an advantage.
• Preference for someone who is immediately available for contract/project work until the end of 2026.

Full right to work in the UK required as visa sponsorship isn't possible. Application deadline is 23:59, 12th April. No cover letter required, but please ensure all relevant experience is highlighted on your CV. If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process or working environment, please let us know. Murray McIntosh is proud to be an equal opportunities employer on behalf of their clients. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age.