Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager

Murray McIntosh is delighted to have partnered with Enginuity, the UK's leading skills charity for engineering and manufacturing, in their search for a Senior Policy & Public Affairs Manager.

Enginuity works at the intersection of data, policy, and skills development, investing over £2 million annually to tackle barriers to entry and progression in the sector - particularly for underrepresented and disadvantaged groups.

This brand new, pivotal Senior appointment offers a rare opportunity to lead and build an influential policy and public affairs function within a mission-driven organisation, helping to shape the future of the UK's industrial skills landscape

The successful candidate will be joining a growing, forward-looking policy team at a formative moment, with the opportunity to shape its direction and culture from the ground up. A key focus for the team in the coming months will be the launch of Enginuity's National Policy Centre - a collaborative space for beneficiaries and stakeholders in the small and medium enterprise market. This high-profile project offers an exciting prospect for new postholders to play a meaningful role in its development and delivery.

The Role

The Senior Policy & Public Affairs Manager will lead and develop a growing policy team, while also playing a central role in shaping and delivering Enginuity's policy and advocacy strategy. They will be responsible for spearheading the work of the newly established National Policy Centre and driving engagement across government, industry, and the education sector. Reporting to the Associate Director Charity Operations & Impact, the Senior Manager will serve as a strategic advisor to the executive team and Board, ensuring Enginuity remains a trusted, evidence-led voice in both national and devolved policy conversations.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading a high-performing policy team to produce high-quality, timely policy insights and responses.
• Developing and executing an integrated public affairs strategy to position Enginuity as a go-to expert for engineering and manufacturing skills issues.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with Ministers, parliamentarians, senior civil servants, policy makers, and key stakeholders.
• Representing Enginuity at senior-level forums, parliamentary events, and policy roundtables.
• Overseeing the production of policy publications, research reports, and media briefings aligned with the charity's mission.
• Providing strategic advice on policy trends, risks, and opportunities to internal stakeholders and governance structures.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will bring a strong track record in team leadership, along with a strategic mindset, political acumen, and demonstrative experience in influencing policy in a complex stakeholder environment. They will also possess:

• A Bachelor's degree as a minimum, or equivalent qualification
• Substantial experience leading policy and public affairs functions, ideally within or closely aligned to the skills, education, or industrial sectors.
• A deep understanding of government frameworks and policy-making across the UK's four nations.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels.
• A passion for creating systemic change and promoting inclusive access to skills and employment.
• Proven experience managing and developing high-performing teams.

Why Join Enginuity?

This is an exciting time to join Enginuity as they scale their impact and strengthen their voice on national policy. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to:

• Play a central role in shaping Enginuity's policy strategy and direction - an opportunity to design, build and define the agenda and make a lasting mark through your own thinking and leadership.
• Influence key policy agendas shaping the UK's industrial future.
• Lead on cross-sectoral issues that support both business growth and social equity.
• Work in a values-driven environment with a collaborative and ambitious team.
• Make a meaningful contribution to improving access to skills and employment across the country.
• Be part of a flexible, employee-centric culture, with strong commitment to an equitable, diverse and inclusive workplace.

Application deadline: 23:59, Wednesday 20th August

Please apply with a copy of your CV and brief summary demonstrating your motivation and suitability for the role.

Full right to work in the UK is required. Unfortunately, sponsorship cannot be offered, and support for relocation isn't possible.

Enginuity operates on a remote basis, with whole team meetings arranged on a quarterly basis. There may be some additional UK wide travel for events and stakeholder engagement.

Murray McIntosh is proud to be an equal opportunities employer on behalf of their clients. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability or age.

Murray McIntosh is a specialist Policy, Public Affairs, Strategic Communications and Economics recruitment consultancy, recruiting positions at all levels and across all sectors. Our team boasts over 20 years of experience in this space, with expertise spanning all manner of industry and subject.