Join THA as Our New Policy and Advocacy Manager

Do you want to work at the heart of heritage, and help to champion its future? Are you experienced in strategic communications, public affairs or policy development?

The Heritage Alliance is seeking a talented part-time Policy and Advocacy Manager to play a leading role in our small advocacy team at an exciting time for the sector. The role will work with the Head of Policy and Communications to deliver a policy strategy and deputise some key responsibilities during a sabbatical period, offering the opportunity to develop experience in senior leadership and charity governance. This role would be ideally suited to someone with a strong knowledge of the UK policy and political landscape, experience in communications with senior stakeholders, and a demonstrable interest in heritage.

• Annual Leave: 24 days per annum pro-rata, in addition to office closure between Christmas and New Year
• Location: The Heritage Alliance, St Martin Ludgate, London (Flexible working arrangements considered)
• Reporting to: CEO/ Head of Policy
• Start date: February 2025
• Closing Date for Applications: 12 January 2025

Role Description

The Heritage Alliance, the national umbrella body for heritage with over 200 organisational members, is seeking an outstanding person to take up the new role of Policy and Advocacy Manager. The successful candidate will join the Alliance’s small, energetic team based in our offices near St Paul’s Cathedral. This is an exciting and wide-ranging role, requiring a dynamic, proactive and reliable individual with a strategic outlook and a track record of influencing and impact. This role will suit someone who has solid policy, advocacy or public affairs experience and is looking to grow and develop at an exciting time for the sector and the organisation.

The role presents an ideal opportunity for someone looking to step into a leadership role or develop these skills, with the responsibility of deputising some functions for the Head of Policy and Communications during a sabbatical period. The role gives an opportunity to work with a small team to design and deliver an influencing and advocacy strategy, gain governance experience by working closely with our Board of Trustees, and build expertise in a diverse range of policy areas including planning, education and skills, funding, and net zero. Key priorities for 2025 include advocating for heritage through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, overseeing the publication of a new impact report, and strengthening our relationships with the new government.

Applicants should be persuasive writers and communicators, have a passion for advocacy and policy, strong analytical skills, a strategic mindset, and the ability to deliver at pace with a strong ability to multi-task and prioritise. Whilst a demonstrable interest in heritage policy is important, direct experience across heritage policy areas is not essential; the successful candidate will possess the skills needed to quickly acquire technical knowledge. Experience working with Government and politicians and managing stakeholder events and meetings is highly desirable.

The closing date for applications is 12 th January with interviews shortly afterwards. The starting date for the new role would ideally be mid-February, to include a comprehensive handover and induction from the Head of Policy and Communications. This role is part-time (0.6 FTE) and currently offered on a 12-month contract.

Key Responsibilities:

• Co-management of the policy work portfolio with the Head of Policy/CEO, including planning forthcoming work, reactive engagement and commissioning case studies and evidence;
• Researching across a wide range of policy briefs affecting the Alliance’s members to produce succinct briefings and consultation responses;
• Maintaining regular engagement with policy makers, civil servants, MPs, Peers and Arms-Length Bodies to advocate for heritage sector priorities;
• Co-ordinating, supporting and implementing the work of the Alliance’s Advocacy and Working Groups in liaison with their Chairs;
• Managing parliamentary engagement, including monitoring heritage-related developments in both houses and in select committees;
• Representing the Heritage Alliance and championing the priorities of our members at cross-sector networks, committees, and working groups;
• Acting as interim Board Secretary, including liaising with the Chair and CEO to set agendas, commission papers, and administer and minute meetings;
• Supporting the work of the Comms Manager in providing secondary editorial oversight of key communications including newsletters, press releases and blog posts.

Key Experience Required:

• Experience and understanding of the policy landscape and/or the heritage sector landscape
• Experience of gathering evidence, analysing complex information and preparing clear, concise and accurate briefings, reports and consultation responses
• Experience in strategic policy communications to a range of stakeholders, particularly government and decision-makers
• Experience in managing stakeholder meetings and networks, including minuting, chairing and agenda-setting

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge:

• The confidence and credibility to liaise with senior colleagues and external stakeholders
• An interest in heritage policy, government and political affairs, and the desire to learn more
• Ability to think strategically, delivering projects that meet multiple outcomes
• The ability to write clearly and concisely for a wide variety of different audiences
• Excellent time management skills, able to take on a wide range of tasks and prioritise delivery in a fast-changing environment
• Ability to work independently, with limited supervision
• Ability to initiate further deliverables by thinking creatively
• A positive team-player mentality, able to work in a small team and support colleagues.

To Apply:

Please complete this application form and return to policy@theheritagealliance.org.uk

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Lydia Gibson at the address above.

Closing Date: 11:59pm on 12 th January, with interviews held the following week.