Head of Public Policy

Overview

The Policy and Social Impact department remit covers: Policy; Public Affairs; International Football; EU Affairs; Communications; Supporter Engagement; Corporate Purpose; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; and the Premier League’s support for Wider Football and Communities.

The department has an increasing focus on promoting positive reputational change and awareness among key stakeholders, decision makers and influencers of the positive work, influence and impact of the Premier League. This encompasses economic, social and soft power impact, as well as the Premier League’s public purpose investments – not least our essential contribution to the wider football pyramid and support for communities. The department also works to protect the Premier League from potential risks posed by legislation and policy decisions. Policy topics are wide ranging, with examples including the fan-led review into football governance, broadcasting rights, online safety legislation, the Gambling Act and ongoing immigration policy/access to talent.

The Head of Public Policy is responsible for developing the Premier League’s public policy agenda, taking a strategic view on where to focus with Government. The role works closely with teams across the Premier League and Government to develop policy positions on key issues affecting the Premier League, such as policing, access to international talent and investment. It also develops and expands the Premier League’s partnership working with Government on key social impact programmes, including working closely with HO, DWP and DfE on areas such as Young Futures and the Youth Guarantee.

We are looking for a senior policy professional with extensive experience in developing policy positions, and ideally with relationships across HM Government. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate a strong skillset of supporting business priorities through policy, identifying areas of alignment with Government objectives and developing relationships with Government stakeholders. You will be joining a small team (with line management responsibility for two team members) with the expectation of briefing internal senior stakeholders up to Board and senior leadership level.

This is a fixed-term, 12-month role covering a period of maternity leave.

Who we are

The Premier League is home to some of the most competitive and compelling football in the world. The League and its Clubs use the power and popularity of the competition to inspire fans, communities and partners in the UK and across the world. The Premier League brings people together from all backgrounds. It is a competition for everyone, everywhere and is available to watch in 900 million homes in 189 countries.

We have a wide variety of responsibilities. These include organising the competition and its Handbook as well as managing the centralised broadcast and commercial rights. The work we do in conjunction with the Clubs also goes far beyond the 90 minutes. We support and provide a framework for youth development, we protect the organisation’s intellectual property, support the wider game and community programmes, undertake international development work and liaise with governing bodies and other leagues.

The Premier League is an equal opportunities employer and strives to create an inclusive culture where talent can flourish. We believe in the potential of everyone and open our doors to those who share those values. All appointments will be made based on merit; however, we particularly encourage applications from women, people from minority ethnic communities, LGBTQ+ people and disabled people.

Our hybrid-working model also allows you some variety on your place of work, offering you the chance to work from home on some days each week. Where possible, you will attend the office or site visits in line with our company policy. All staff liaise closely with their line manager to manage their time appropriately and according to their work and team requirements.

The role

• Proactively build strategic relationships with Government Departments, working closely with the Corporate Affairs Director and the Premier League’s wider policy team to identify areas of alignment between Premier League programmes and Government missions, leading the team to build new connections and networks across Government to enable this
• Develop policy positions that support key business priorities, working across the business with other members of the Policy team, as well as Football, Legal and Strategy teams to provide policy recommendations to the Corporate Affairs Director, Chief Policy and Social Impact Officer and Chief Executive as well as ELT, Board and Shareholders as required
• Build and maintain a strong network of officials and advisers across Government to support the Premier League’s policy objectives
• Oversee, alongside the Head of Public Affairs, the development of a wider stakeholder engagement plan across football and sports, as well as wider creative and entertainment industries sectors
• Work alongside the Head of Community Engagement and Director of Community to develop the next phase of existing partnerships with Government Departments, considering a long-term strategic approach
• Lead Government engagement on the following policy issues, and others, as they arise:
  • Immigration
  • Policing
  • Women’s game
  • Governance
  • Regulation
• Work with the Director Operations and Strategy (Policy), as well as key policy teams, to develop an evaluation approach for partnerships with Government, and consider how to use analysis and evidence more effectively to underpin policy development
• Support the Director of Regulatory Transition as required on the development of regulatory policy positions as the Independent Football Regulator is established
• Line manage two members of staff (Senior Policy Manager; Policy Manager) to deliver policy papers and products. Manage consultants and budget, as required, to support delivery of the overall regulatory policy work programme

Requirements for the role:

• Ability to drive projects forward, working collaboratively across the business
• Strategic mindset
• Ability to deliver at pace
• Strong relationships across HM Government
• Strong written and oral communication
• Experience briefing senior stakeholders
• Ability to draft policy positions from scratch and provide clear recommendations
• Team player with strong collaboration skills
• Interest in football and sporting policy issues

Our commitment to safeguarding includes implementing robust safer recruitment procedures to assess the suitability of individuals applying for roles that involve work with children and adults who are or may be at risk of harm.

To apply please visit our careers page and apply with your CV and a cover letter.

The closing date for applications is 11 August 2025.

We will remove barriers that prospective candidates might face at any stage of our recruitment process. If you have a disability and would like the advert in an alternative format, or would like to talk about how we can adjust the interview process to best support you, please contact recruitment@premierleague.com