Head of Policy & Public Affairs

£45,000 - £50,000 per annum

Loughborough/hybrid working

The Youth Sport Trust believes in a future where every child enjoys the life changing benefits of play and sport. We are passionate about building a brighter future where our children are happier and healthier because we know when children are happy and healthy they learn, and if children learn we have a society fit for the future.

Over 25 years we have developed a unique way of maximising the power of sport to grow young people, schools and communities through the development of physical and mental health, fostering inclusion and building character and leadership skills.  We have been fortunate enough to work closely with government to influence policy and deliver national strategy, as well as in delivering and co-creating projects for a range of Trusts, Foundations, Lottery distributors and Corporates. 

Our new strategy recognises that COVID has had a huge impact on children and young people with many of the consequences yet unknown.  This has compounded the emerging consequences of a digital age on children’s physical, social and emotional wellbeing, with too many left feeling anxious isolated, lonely.  In particular the pandemic has widened the gaps created by disadvantage.  There is so much we can do to help children recover, rebalance their lives, and build brighter futures but this will require strong and clear policy development and the further development of our relationships across government.  These are key drivers for the creation of this new and exciting role.

We are looking for an inspirational and experienced Head of Policy & Public Affairs to join our senior leadership team and steer future policy thinking and lead our public affairs, advocacy and influencing Plan. This is a unique opportunity to galvanise and inspire changemakers and improve the lives of millions of young people in the UK.

As Head of Policy & Public Affairs you will collaborate with colleagues, our members, partners and young people to design policy positions across a broad range of issues. You will oversee and manage high profile national policy projects as well as provide professional support and advice to YST policy consultants. You will also develop and deliver a strategy for the policy and public affairs activity. This will involve building and managing relationships within the political arena, including Government departments as well as existing and new partner organisations. You will build respect for and the credibility of YST by attending meetings with civil servants, commissioners and policy makers. You will provide analysis on parliamentary activities, and alert and advise on threats and opportunities arising on specific issues. Important will be the ability to keep up to date with political developments, changing policy and public opinion.

For this high-profile role, you must have worked in public policy, affairs, or relations or been involved political work, preferably at national level. Experienced in shaping public policy, you will have a track record of developing, managing and delivering successful influencing campaigns. You will also be used to gathering political intelligence and using insight gained to form work plans. An effective researcher, you will be proficient in drafting policy documents and reports too. Critically, you will excel at translating complex policy into accessible briefings for internal and external audiences.

Skilled at presenting and influencing others, you will be an excellent communicator who is able to build relationships quickly. You will also possess a passion to advocate for stronger policy responses on youth issues and be driven by building a brighter future for children and young people.

In return you will get to join a dynamic and energetic charity passionate about improving children’s lives where all staff are given the opportunity to engage in the leadership and direction of the organisation. Our values underpin everything we do, and we pride ourselves on a work culture which fosters innovation, creativity and personal passion. Benefits include generous annual leave entitlement, health cash plan, employee assistance programme and volunteering days. In 2022 we were ranked one of the best Mid-Sized Companies to work for in the UK.

If you are committed to the idea of giving young people access to high quality play and sport opportunities as part of their education and development, we would love to hear from you. Please go to our jobs page via the link and complete an online application.

The Youth Sport Trust believes that diversity drives excellence and that representation is important. The Youth Sport Trust therefore positively welcomes and seeks to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment. We encourage applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or nationality. 

Closing date: 11.59pm on 30 August 2022.

Interviews planned for 9 September 2022 via Zoom Video Conferencing.

Registered charity number: 1086915