Salary: £48,000 per annum

Contract Type: Permanent

Location: UK (minimum 2 days per week in the London office)

Work Pattern: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week with the opportunity for flexible working hours

Reporting To : Associate Director Advocacy & Campaigns

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit an anonymised CV and covering letter (please remove any identifying details such as name, address, or photos) by 23:00 on Monday 25 May via Workable.

In your covering letter, please demonstrate your motivations for applying for the role, how the position aligns with your career plans, and the experience (professional, voluntary, or lived) that makes you a strong fit for the role in line with our values and the criteria outlined in the job description.

We encourage candidates to ensure their responses reflect their own skills, experiences, and personal voice. If AI tools are used, candidates will be asked to explain how and why they used them. Please see our Using AI - Guidance for Job Applicants for further assistance.

INTERVIEW STAGES

The selection process will consist of three stages (dates will be confirmed with shortlisted candidates):

First-round interview w/c 1 June 2026
Second-round interview w/c 15 June 2026

Candidates will be asked to prepare a presentation (10 minutes maximum) on a policy and campaigning topic. Candidates should allocate no more than 3 hours to prepare this task.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Mission 44 exists to drive change and build a fairer, more inclusive future for young people around the world. As our work continues to expand, so does our ambition to influence policy, shift power, and drive systemic change by addressing the barriers young people face and advancing evidence-based solutions.

The Senior Manager, Policy & Campaigns will be central to this mission, leading the development of policy positions and research that strengthens Mission 44’s ability to influence decision-makers and shape public discourse.

Mission 44’s impact model brings together strategic investment (through grantmaking) and targeted influence to drive systemic change. The Senior Manager will work closely with grantmaking teams to ensure that insight from funded work is embedded in policy and research, while also feeding learning and evidence back into funding strategies to strengthen decision-making and maximise impact.

The role will lead and manage Mission 44’s policy and research agenda, acting as a key point of contact for partners and building trusted relationships across government, the education and youth sectors, and civil society. The role will lead the development of policy recommendations, commission and translate research into clear, actionable outputs, and collaborate with internal teams and partners to align policy priorities with wider organisational objectives and maximise influence.

The role also plays a critical role in advocacy and external engagement, ensuring Mission 44’s voice is present in key policy moments, supporting strategic campaigns, and connecting research and insight to high-impact opportunities that drive political attention and sustained change at a national and global level.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

POLICY

Lead the development and delivery of Mission 44’s policy strategy, aligned to organisational priorities and focused on driving systemic change for young people
Develop clear, evidence-based policy positions and recommendations that influence government, civil society, the education sector and key decision-makers
Build and maintain trusted relationships with policymakers, advisors, think tanks, academics, and sector leaders to strengthen Mission 44’s influence
Identify and shape opportunities to influence policy agendas, consultations and legislative processes at national and global levels
Work cross-functionally to align policy priorities with external engagement and advocacy activity
Monitor and analyse political and policy developments across relevant landscapes, leading on timely evidence-led responses and providing strategic insight and recommendations
Track and evaluate the impact of policy and advocacy activity, using insights to refine strategy and approach
Account manage Mission 44’s external policy and research partners and consultants, ensuring high-quality delivery and value for money

CAMPAIGNS

Support the design and delivery of integrated advocacy campaigns that connect policy, research and storytelling to drive political attention and action

Work closely with partners and young people to co-create campaigns, ensuring their voices and experiences shape campaign priorities, policy recommendations and delivery approaches
Work cross-functionally with communications and partnerships teams to maximise influence
Identify and leverage key moments, partnerships and platforms to elevate Mission 44’s voice and policy agenda
Contribute to campaign messaging and narratives that translate policy positions into compelling calls to action for target audiences

RESEARCH

Commission and oversee high-quality research, ensuring outputs are rigorous, relevant, and actionable
Translate complex research and data into compelling policy briefs, reports, and insight-driven narratives to support advocacy and influence

Ensure all policy and research outputs are accessible, inclusive and reflect the lived experiences of young people

ABOUT YOU: SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

Strong experience in policy development with a track record of influencing decision-makers
Experience shaping or contributing to successful community-led movements, advocacy campaigns or policy change initiatives
Deep understanding of political and policy-making processes, ideally in education, employment, social justice, or youth-focused areas
Experience in participatory and youth-centred research approaches, including co-creation with young people and gathering insight through polling, perception studies and stakeholder engagement - alongside more traditional research methods
Ability to translate complex research and evidence into clear, persuasive policy recommendations and narratives
Proven experience building and managing senior stakeholder relationships across government, civil society, education, employment and/or youth sectors
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including producing high-quality briefings, reports and consultation responses
Experience leading projects and managing external partners
Strategic thinking skills, with the ability to identify and act on opportunities to influence policy agendas

DESIRABLE

Experience working in or with government, think tanks, charities or advocacy organisations
Experience in working with young people to create campaigns or advocacy initiatives
Knowledge of UK and/or international policy landscapes relevant to Mission 44’s focus areas
Familiarity with youth engagement approaches and/or incorporating lived experience into policy development
Experience working with high-profile stakeholders
Understanding of media and communications as a tool for policy influence

PERSONAL QUALITIES

Passionate about creating a fairer, more inclusive future for young people around the world
Highly motivated, proactive, and able to operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment
Strong relationship builder
Collaborative mindset, with the ability to work cross-functionally and bring others with you
Confident and persuasive, with the ability to engage and influence senior audiences
Analytical and curious, with a strong attention to detail
Resilient and adaptable, with the ability to manage competing priorities and ambiguity
Works flexibly and proactively without close supervision

Enjoy 28 days annual leave, plus a day for your birthday
Use our cycle-to-work scheme and free gym access
Save for retirement with our generous pension package
We finish every Friday at noon in August
Optional health insurance and acccess to an EAP
Professional development budget of £1k
Unlimited volunteering leave, as agreed with your manager
Wellbeing allowance to spend in whatever way works for you
Competitive parental leave package

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Senior Manager Policy and Campaigns