Head of Programmes, Policy Fellowships

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• Job title: Head of Programmes, Policy Fellowships
• Area of work: Policy Fellowships and Systems Thinking
• Organisation: National Academy
• Contract type: Permanent
• Employment type: Full-time
• Salary: 65,930
• Location: London
• Working environment: Hybrid, 2 days in per week (Tuesday + other day)
• Working hours: 36.25 hours per week
• Annual leave: 25 building to 30 plus 4 wellbeing days when the Academy closes for the day, and office-wide Christmas leave
• Pension: Non-contributory pension scheme with 10% employer contribution
• Other benefits include: BUPA cash plan, Private medical insurance, Employee Assistance Programme, Independent Financial Advice, Life Assurance (4x annual salary), Health and wellbeing programmes, Significant investment into your personal and professional development, Subsidised restaurant.
• Closing: midnight, Sunday 10th August
• Interviews: 19th August

Overview
To shape, deliver and continuously improve a programme of activities connecting engineers with policymakers across national, devolved and local government. This will involve delivering across three connected programmes:

• Policy Fellowships, a programme that connects policymakers with engineers and which is creating a unique network of policymakers, engineers and other experts who are working together to develop fresh insights and approaches to economic, social and technical problems.
• The new Senior Policy Fellowship, designed for the most senior civil servants, ensuring that systems thinking and engineering insight are at the heart of government.
• Systems Thinking in Government team, which works with government teams to help them shape and implement systems approaches to complex challenges.

The role holder will ensure that these programmes are delivered effectively, with excellent user experience. They will work to continually monitor and improve these programmes, ensuring that we have a diverse range of policy participants, and finding new modes of delivery to scale impact. The role holder will be closely involved in the Senior Policy Fellowship. They will design and deliver the programme by building relationships and creating a bespoke offer that has prestige and value across the most senior levels in policy making.
Key responsibilties
Leadership and Strategy

• Co-develop and evolve the Policy Fellowship, Senior Fellowship, and Systems Thinking programmes for greater reach and impact.
• Design bespoke programmes for senior civil servants to foster long-term relationships.
• Grow and engage the alumni network to drive systemic change.
• Lead on goal-setting, monitoring, and impact evaluation.
• Align programme development with the new Academy Strategy.

Programme Management and Oversight

• Oversee delivery of Policy Fellowship programmes from outreach to execution.
• Support Systems Thinking programme delivery and impact.
• Collaborate with governance groups to ensure strategic alignment and robust planning.
• Foster collaboration across policy teams for shared value.
• Ensure effective monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes.
• Manage budgets with leadership teams.
• Promote best practice across Academy programmes.

Stakeholder Management / External Engagement

• Develop and implement a stakeholder engagement strategy.
• Ensure strong engagement with senior leaders across all levels of government.
• Represent and promote the programmes externally.

Line Management

• Manage Programme Managers and Senior Systems Practitioner, supporting their teams.
• Provide coaching, ensure high-quality delivery, and support professional development.

Skills and experience required

• Understanding of Government Structures: Strong knowledge of UK government systems across central, devolved, and local levels. Able to navigate institutional constraints and identify opportunities for influence and collaboration.
• Strategic Connector: Skilled at linking academia, industry, and policymakers to foster collaboration and impact. Brings a stakeholder-focused mindset and understands how to engage senior leaders across sectors.
• Policy and Technical Insight: Broad awareness of engineering and technology policy communities in the UK and internationally. (Desirable): Comfortable working in technical environments and with complex material relevant to research, engineering, and policy.
• Programme Leadership: Proven ability to design and deliver impactful capability programmes for the public sector. Brings a commercial and entrepreneurial mindset, including experience in generating revenue or securing stakeholder investment (time or funding).
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Skilled in setting strategic goals, tracking progress, and capturing influence and impact. Uses data and feedback to drive continuous improvement and learning.
• Team and People Management: Compassionate and effective manager with experience leading multi-level teams. Provides coaching, supports development, and ensures high-quality delivery aligned with strategic priorities.
• Communication and Engagement: Brings a communications and marketing mindset to stakeholder engagement. Confident in external representation and building programme visibility and credibility.
• Network Building: Actively builds and sustains networks across government and policy communities. Understands the value of alumni engagement and long-term relationship management.
• Budgetary Management: (Desirable): Experience in setting and managing programme budgets, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and value for money.

What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV.

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