Senior Policy Consultant - UK Education / EdTech

Your new role

• Job title: Policy Consultant - UK Education / EdTech
• Sector/organisation type: Not-for-profit
• Contract: Interim, part-time
• Start: ASAP
• Duration: 6 months (initial)
• Rate: £750-£850/day (outside IR35)
• Working pattern: 2-3 days per week
• Hours/Leave: 7 hours per day
• Office location: Hybrid (Oxford - 1 day per week)
• Closing date: Midnight, Sunday 24th

The opportunity

• This is a high-impact opportunity to take on a senior role shaping how an organisation understands, engages with and influences the UK education policy landscape.
• You will act as a trusted adviser to senior leadership, bringing deep expertise, strong networks and a credible external voice. You will ensure the organisation is not only responding to policy developments, but actively shaping the conversation - particularly across areas such as curriculum and assessment reform, AI in education and wider system change.
• You will operate at the intersection of policy, public affairs and commercial strategy. A key part of the role is translating complex and evolving policy developments into clear, actionable insights that inform product strategy, partnerships and long-term positioning.
• This is a highly visible role, requiring someone who can operate confidently at senior levels across government, regulators and the wider education ecosystem, while also influencing internally across a complex organisation.

Duties and responsibilities

• Develop and lead a clear UK education policy strategy aligned to organisational priorities
• Identify and prioritise areas where the organisation should engage, influence and take a visible position
• Build and maintain senior relationships across government, regulators, system leaders and sector bodies
• Represent the organisation externally as a credible voice in policy discussions, roundtables and industry forums
• Shape and oversee delivery of thought leadership, including policy papers, consultation responses and public commentary
• Translate policy developments into actionable insights for product, strategy and market positioning
• Identify and support partnership, innovation, funding and tender opportunities
• Work closely with communications, research, product and commercial teams to align messaging and activity.
• Provide clear, evidence-based advice to senior stakeholders on risks, opportunities and emerging trends

About you This role is suited to someone who:

• Brings deep expertise in UK education policy and understands how policy is shaped in practice.
• Has an established and credible profile, with strong networks across government and the wider education sector.
• Is comfortable influencing at senior level, both externally and internally.
• Enjoys turning complex and ambiguous issues into clear, actionable insight
• Has a strong commercial and strategic lens, linking policy developments to business opportunities.
• Works collaboratively, building relationships across different teams and functions.
• Brings confidence, sound judgement and credibility in a fast-moving environment.

Essential criteria

• Significant senior-level experience in UK education policy, public affairs or government relations.
• Deep understanding of the UK education system, policymaking processes and current reform agenda.
• Proven ability to influence and engage credibly with senior stakeholders across government and regulatory bodies.
• Strong external networks across the education ecosystem (e.g. government, inspectorates, system leaders, sector bodies, EdTech).
• Demonstrable experience shaping and delivering policy strategy with tangible impact.
• Track record of producing high-quality thought leadership and influencing external debate.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex policy into clear, practical implications.
• Strong commercial awareness, with experience linking policy insight to strategy, growth or product development.

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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