Policy Event & Content Manager in Manchester

WIG is a membership charity that is building a community of leaders across public, private and not-for-profit sectors. For over 40 years, WIG has brought together senior decision-makers and thought leaders from business, government and civil society to tackle the challenges that matter most to the UK’s future.

After a successful one year pilot, WIG is establishing a second office in Manchester as the foundation for expanding its presence, relationships and impact across the UK’s regions and nations. The office will enable WIG to convene sustained cross-sector dialogue closer to where policy is implemented, public services are delivered and regional economic priorities are shaped.

The Policy Event & Content Manager will lead the development and delivery of a distinctive programme of regional strategic dialogue. Working closely with No.10 North, Civil Service Campuses, Combined Authorities, devolved administrations and other regional partners, the post-holder will identify the issues on which WIG’s independent cross-sector convening can add the greatest value.

The role will translate regional and national policy priorities into high-quality events, roundtables, briefings and related content, bringing together leaders from government, business, universities and civil society. It will also capture and share the insight generated through these discussions so that regional perspectives inform WIG’s wider programmes, research and national conversations.

This is an opportunity to help build WIG’s regional profile and establish the new Manchester office as a trusted platform for cross-sector dialogue. The successful candidate will combine strong policy awareness and editorial judgement with excellent stakeholder engagement and programme-delivery skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver an ongoing programme of senior-level strategic dialogue focused on devolution, place-based growth and public service delivery.
• Work closely with No.10 North, Civil Service Campuses, Heads of Place, Combined Authorities and devolved administrations to identify priority issues where cross-sector convening can add value.
• Design CEO breakfasts, dinners, roundtables, briefings and other formats that bring together leaders from central and local government, business and civil society.
• Ensure WIG’s regional dialogue programme complements rather than duplicates its national programme.
• Research emerging policy, economic and regional issues to identify timely opportunities for cross-sector dialogue.
• Develop agendas and programme content that translate complex policy challenges into focused, outcome-oriented discussion.
• Produce high-quality briefings, speaker notes, agendas and contextual materials for senior participants.
• Identify and secure appropriate speakers, contributors and chairs from across sectors.
• Work with the Research, Policy & Impact team so that WIG research and evidence informs regional dialogue and insights generated through events feed back into WIG’s broader evidence base.
• Build trusted relationships with senior civil servants based outside London and across the Civil Service Campus network.
• Develop relationships with Combined Authorities, devolved administrations, regional businesses, universities and civil society organisations.
• Build a strong network of speakers, policy experts and regional leaders who can contribute to WIG’s dialogue programme.
• Act as a credible and professional WIG representative within regional policy and leadership networks.
• Capture stakeholder intelligence and ensure it informs future programme development.
• Take responsibility for the end-to-end content and programme management of assigned regional events.
• Develop event plans, speaker pipelines and briefing materials, working with WIG’s Event Operations team on logistics and operational delivery.
• Manage multiple dialogue sessions concurrently while maintaining WIG’s standards for senior-level engagement.
• Gather participant feedback and use it to continuously strengthen the programme.
• Be willing to travel regularly and support early morning, evening and occasional overnight events.
• Capture key themes, insights and examples emerging from regional strategic dialogue.
• Produce concise post-event summaries and content that can inform WIG’s research, membership and communications activity.
• Identify potential case studies and regional champions that demonstrate effective cross-sector collaboration.
• Work with Research, Policy & Impact colleagues to contribute evidence to WIG’s impact framework.
• Ensure insight is systematically shared across WIG rather than remaining within individual regional programmes.

Qualifications

Degree or equivalent professional experience in politics, public policy, economics, communications or a related discipline desirable.

Competencies

• Policy insight: understands the UK public policy landscape and can translate complex issues into relevant, engaging senior-level dialogue.
• Content and editorial judgement: produces concise, authoritative and accessible briefing and programme content.
• Convening and stakeholder management: credible and confident with senior people across government, business and civil society.
• Event and programme delivery: able to manage multiple events and workstreams from concept through to delivery.
• Curiosity and judgement: identifies emerging issues and understands where WIG can add distinctive value through cross-sector dialogue.
• Collaboration: works effectively across the Nations & Regions, Research, Membership, Marketing and Event Operations teams.

Experience

• Essential: Experience in public policy, public affairs, events, programme management, stakeholder engagement or a related field.
• Demonstrable ability to research and distil complex policy issues for senior audiences.
• Experience developing and delivering events, roundtables, briefings or similar stakeholder programmes.
• Experience engaging confidently with senior stakeholders.
• Strong written communication and briefing skills.
• Strong project-management skills with an ability to manage competing deadlines.
• Good understanding of UK government and public policy.
• Alignment with WIG’s mission, purpose and values.

• Desirable: Experience working with the Civil Service, Combined Authorities, devolved administrations or regional government.
• Knowledge of devolution, regional economic development or place-based public policy.
• Experience of cross-sector convening.
• Experience working in a membership body, think tank, public affairs organisation, charity or similar environment.