Policy Manager - Energy, Climate & Environment

About Public First, a SHGH company. Public First is a specialist consultancy that helps charities, philanthropists, public sector bodies and global brands to improve public policy. Based in London, we have worked in more than thirty international markets. We are part think tank, part strategic consultancy, part research company, and part communications agency. In practice, we bring together the disciplines that make policy change happen: research and analysis, political insight, strategy and communications. Our team includes former senior civil servants, political advisers, campaigners, researchers and journalists. Many of us have worked at the most senior levels of government, Parliament and political campaigns, and we continue to be active across the political spectrum. Public First works alongside Stonehaven as part of SHGH, a Group of cross-border advisory firms, guiding clients through an unprecedented period of change in policy, politics, regulation, and sustainable growth.

Working in the Energy, Climate and Environment Practice, you’ll help to deliver policy, campaigns and data projects. You will deepen your knowledge of the political landscape surrounding climate & energy policy, help to analyse public opinion insights and policy realities, and bring new research to life for our clients. The Practice combines the strengths of Public First and Stonehaven. Our recent projects have included:

• From Risk to Resilience: The Case for Flood-Resilient Communities, Economy and Growth – Public First economic and opinion research quantifying the costs of flooding in the UK and making the case for long-term investment in flood resilience.
• What is Retrofit Anyway? – Public First research on how homeowners understand and respond to retrofit, identifying motivations and barriers to energy efficiency upgrades.
• Atomlink: Unlocking Civil Nuclear Expansion at the Western Frontier – Stonehaven policy analysis outlining a trilateral US–UK–Poland framework to accelerate civil nuclear expansion, strengthen supply chains and boost energy security.
• North Sea Transition Taskforce – Stonehaven‑led policy recommendations on delivering a managed transition of the North Sea that protects jobs, investment and UK energy security.

The Role: We are recruiting a Policy Manager to work across all our energy and climate policy projects. This is an ideal role for someone with strong intellectual curiosity and policy instincts, who wants to develop original ideas and turn them into compelling analysis and arguments that influence decision‑makers. You will have spent two or more years in a political, policy, research, consultancy or a closely‑related field; you will have some experience taking charge of a project and seeing it through to completion; and be confident emailing and calling clients and sector experts.

The ideal candidate:

• Has a genuine passion for energy, climate and environmental policy, and a strong desire to learn quickly and go deep into complex issues.
• Is intellectually curious – you enjoy grappling with tough problems, questioning assumptions, and developing new ways of looking at policy challenges.
• Brings sharp analytical thinking and is excited by turning evidence, data and research into clear insights and persuasive arguments.
• Is a strong writer, able to communicate complex ideas in clear, engaging and authoritative briefings for a wide range of audiences.
• Has some experience in a policy, political, research or analytical role, and is ready to take increasing ownership of projects.
• Is confident working with colleagues and clients, and keen to build credibility in the sector.
• Wants to grow intellectually and professionally into someone with a distinctive policy voice and ideas we can sell.

What you’ll do:

• Track and analyse emerging energy, climate and environmental policy developments.
• Contribute to and lead quantitative and qualitative research, including public opinion work.
• Develop thoughtful analysis, policy ideas and recommendations, written to a high standard.
• Support the day‑to‑day delivery of projects, taking on increasing responsibility over time.
• Work directly with colleagues and clients in a professional, organised way.
• Take an active interest in new business, events and building a network in the sector.

Location and Salary: We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and particularly encourage applications from candidates with disabilities and candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds. We operate a hybrid working model, with a mix of home working and core office days of Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Our main office is based in Victoria. Many of us, including the founders, have young children and we work hard to be genuinely family‑friendly. For this role we expect salary to range from £36,000 to £45,000 for Policy Manager, depending on candidate experience. We also offer a bonus programme, 5% pension contribution, 25 days annual leave, and private healthcare.

Closing Date: 17 July 2026. Interview/Start Dates: Start date: ASAP, with flexibility for the right candidate. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to take part in a 30‑minute online interview. If successful, you will be invited to an hour‑long in‑person interview at 20 Victoria Street SW1H 0NB. You will prepare a test task that will be arranged for a time convenient for you, to be presented and discussed at final interview.