Senior Policy Executive

Company Description

The Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA) represents the UK’s community of over 1,000 small and mid-sized publicly traded companies and the firms that advise them. The organization promotes public markets as an effective way for companies to access growth capital, operate transparently, and share wealth fairly. Through constructive dialogue with regulators and government, the QCA works to shape policy that supports quoted companies on the Main Market, AIM, and the Aquis Stock Exchange. It also delivers events, research, and thought leadership on governance, investment, leadership, and technology, creating a forum where members can share good practice and insight.

Role Description

To support the day-to-day delivery of the QCA’s policy, and research programme, working within the strategic priorities set by the Head of Policy & Engagement ; to produce high-quality, evidence-based policy and research; and to manage the Policy Executive.

Main Responsibilities

• Delivering the QCA’s policy programme in line with priorities agreed with the Head of Policy & Engagement .
• Monitoring and analysing political, regulatory and market developments and identifying emerging issues requiring QCA action.
• Leading responses to significant consultation papers and overseeing other consultation responses in collaboration with the Policy Executive, QCA members and Expert Groups.
• Leading the development and production of key QCA research reports and publications to provide a robust evidence base for the organisation’s policy work.
• Acting as a principal drafter and editor of major research outputs, including findings, analysis, policy recommendations and supporting commentary.
• Developing research briefs and managing external research providers, data partners and other organisations where specialist expertise or additional capacity is required.
• Overseeing surveys, interviews, case studies and other evidence-gathering activity, delegating appropriate research, data collation and drafting to the Policy Executive.
• Managing the QCA’s day-to-day government affairs activity with its partner and maintaining working relationships with government officials, parliamentarians, regulators and other relevant stakeholders.
• Supporting the Head of Policy & Engagementin the delivery of the QCA’s wider policy engagement and influencing priorities.
• Preparing high-quality briefing materials, evidence, correspondence and speaking notes to support senior QCA engagement with policymakers and regulators.
• Assisting and occasionally, leading stakeholder engagement around major research projects and research-led campaigns, including launches, roundtables, briefings and meetings with relevant external audiences.
• Managing the QCA’s Expert Groups and ensuring that member expertise contributes effectively to policy development, consultation responses and research.
• Working with the Communications Manager to turn policy positions, research findings and campaigns into high-quality articles, presentations, briefings, social media content and other communications.
• Contributing policy and research expertise to media activity, events and external communications, and acting as a QCA spokesperson on agreed issues where appropriate.
• Collaborating with other industry bodies, research organisations and stakeholders on policy, research and campaigns.
• Directly managing and developing the Policy Executive, including setting priorities, delegating work, reviewing outputs and supporting their professional development.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in policy, optionally, government affairs, public affairs, regulation or a related field.
• A strong understanding of UK government, Parliament, regulators and the policymaking process.
• Experience of developing and maintaining relationships with government officials, parliamentarians, regulators and other external stakeholders.
• Exceptional research and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and presentational skills, with experience of producing policy reports, research publications, consultation responses, briefings and other high-quality written content.
• Proven ability to analyse and summarise complex qualitative and statistical information to publication standard.
• Experience of developing evidence-based policy positions and recommendations.
• Experience of presenting research findings and engaging external stakeholders around policy or research campaigns.
• The ability to work effectively with a broad range of individuals across the QCA’s membership and wider stakeholder community.
• Strong project management skills and experience of working with external providers and partners.
• Experience of managing or developing colleagues.