At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead policy development to support careers education and influence government priorities.
- Company: Join the Careers & Enterprise Company, a leader in modern careers education.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young people's futures through innovative policy work.
- Qualifications: Experience in policy development, excellent communication skills, and project management expertise.
The predicted salary is between 56500 - 58500 £ per year.
Working For: The Careers & Enterprise Company
Reporting to: Associate Director, Policy and Impact
Location: Central London / Hybrid Working (twice a week in the office)
Salary Range: £56,500-£58,500
Length of Contract: 12 Months
We are the national body for careers education in England, delivering support to schools and colleges to deliver modern, 21st century careers education.
Role Summary
The relationship between careers education and broader education, skills and socio‑economic policy remains vitally important. The Senior Policy Manager will report to the Associate Director, Policy and Impact and play a key role in:
- Leading and contributing to policy and strategy that support CEC’s strategic objective to influence on behalf of careers education to help every young person find their best next step.
- Influencing CEC’s policy response to government priorities related to CEC’s agenda including in education reform, NEET prevention, raising awareness and supporting take‑up of vocational and technical options, and supporting young people with additional needs.
The post holder will:
- Bring together evidence from a range of sources and turn complex information into clear, structured advice and options to create evidence‑based policy positions.
- Offer knowledge and experience of areas related to CEC’s work, including intersection with education, skills and youth employment.
- Be a highly effective writer with experience of leading on high impact reports and responses to inquiries and consultations.
- Confidently develop strong, supportive relationships with Whitehall policy makers and peers across the sector.
- Help connect policy development to corporate affairs and strategic communications to ensure that CEC can amplify great practice and insight to drive impact for young people.
Post Context
The post sits within the Policy & Impact team as part of CEC’s Strategy & Communications directorate.
Key Responsibilities
- Support CEC representation at senior levels externally.
- Develop CEC’s policy and impact positions, ensuring accuracy and fair representation of progress and opportunities within the careers system, with a focus on:
- Evidence – filling evidence gaps and understanding what works, working closely with impact and insight colleagues to analyse and present evidence.
- Influence – shaping coherent, innovative, high‑quality and connected solutions to government priorities which amplify and embed the infrastructure and role of CEC.
- Proactive coordination – leading internal and external efforts to identify opportunities and connect programmes and projects to amplify CEC’s mission, for example on NEET prevention or skills pipelines.
Essential Criteria
- Demonstrable skills at converting policy to impact, including proven experience of working on strategic implementation of skills policy and good practice in education engagement.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including building effective relationships and excellent writing skills.
- Sound programme and project management skills: proactive, organised and able to run effective policy development processes, with clear outcomes.
TO APPLY
Please complete the application form, including a copy of your most recent CV, removing any personal details (i.e. name, DOB, address) and a report or publication you have led on, highlighting how you used evidence to inform policy.
Closing date: Sunday 28th June 2026. Please note that we reserve the right to close this advert early should we receive suitable applications.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
At the Careers and Enterprise Company (CEC) we are committed to fostering a culture of belonging. We know that engagement at work relies on feeling included and valued. Inclusion is both a choice and a practice, for us as an organisation and for individuals within our team. We aim to drive inclusion through every aspect of our work and we understand that diverse teams are essential for innovative careers education and are central to our mission and impact. CEC values the visible and invisible qualities that make each member of our team who they are. We are a disability confident employer and if you need any help or support through the application process, please contact the HR team and details can be found on our website.
Senior Policy Manager in London employer: The Careers & Enterprise Company
The Careers & Enterprise Company is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Central London with hybrid working options that promote work-life balance. Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion fosters a culture where every employee feels valued and empowered, while our focus on professional development ensures that you will have ample opportunities for growth and impact in shaping the future of careers education for young people across England.
Contact Details:
The Careers & Enterprise Company Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Policy Manager in London
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Policy Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Emphasise your understanding of public policy:In your application, make sure to highlight any knowledge or experience you have related to public policy, governance or community engagement. Show us how you can contribute to the public sector’s mission, especially if you've worked on relevant projects or initiatives before!
Tailor your CV to the sector's expectations:When crafting your CV, focus on including experiences that showcase your ability to work within government structures or similar environments. Use clear, concise language and consider adding any volunteer work or internships that reflect your commitment to public service.
Show flexibility and willingness to learn:Since this is a temporary role, it’s crucial to convey your adaptability and eagerness to pick up new skills quickly. In your cover letter, let us know how you plan to make the most of this short-term experience and what you hope to learn from it.
Include relevant certificates and training:If you've completed any training or have certifications that are relevant to the role (like public administration, project management, or data analysis), don't forget to mention them. These can really make you stand out in the application process!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Careers & Enterprise Company
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Public Service
In the government and public sector, showing that you're genuinely passionate about serving the community is key. Get ready to share examples where you've contributed to social good or tackled community issues, as this will resonate with interviewers from The Careers & Enterprise Company.
✨Prepare for Policy and Regulatory Questions
Expect questions about policies, regulations, or recently implemented government initiatives. Brush up on the latest news relating to public sector developments—being informed will help you demonstrate that you're ready to hit the ground running, especially in a temporary role.
✨Flexibility is Your Best Friend
Since this is a temporary role, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly. Share examples where you've successfully taken on new challenges or adjusted to different team dynamics, that'll show The Careers & Enterprise Company that you’re reliable and can effectively support various projects without a long onboarding process.
✨Prepare to Showcase Teamwork Skills
In the public sector, collaboration is vital. Be ready to discuss past experiences working in teams, especially in diverse environments. Highlight how you've contributed positively to group settings—this could really set you apart from other candidates in this temporary role.
