Senior Policy Manager (Analysis Lead)

2. Lead the Policy Directorate’s ‘rapid response’ function

• Lead the process of developing rapid responses to emerging policy opportunities.
• Oversee horizon scanning activities to ensure opportunities for rapid response are identified and planned for at early stages.
• Work with the Policy Directorate to agree, manage and quality assure rapid response projects.
• Where rapid response work has been commissioned by external organisations (e.g. government, arm’s length bodies), ensure their project needs are defined and addressed.
• Ensure rapid response outputs are underpinned by high‑quality analysis.

3. Project manage analytical activities

• Lead the Academy’s policy analysis projects, determining the best methodological approaches to gathering evidence that will inform policy development and external affairs.
• Manage the design and delivery of evidence syntheses, horizon scanning, modelling, impact assessments, stakeholder insight analysis, and evaluation.
• Lead colleagues in the Analysis Function to coordinate project planning and evidence-gathering activities.
• Support the Analysis Function with commissioning external analysis where appropriate.
• Regularly report on project progress, risks and issues to the Head of Policy Analysis.

4. Build analytical partnerships and external credibility

• Engage with analytical teams across government (e.g., DHSC, NHS England, UKRI, ONS), the charity sector, research funders and national academies.
• Engage with academic experts, methodologists, research networks and data holders to strengthen analytical depth.
• Represent the Academy in analytical or evidence‑focused fora.
• Work with the External Affairs team to support external activities.

Closing date for completed applications is Monday 6 July 2026 at 9am.

Interviews will likely be held w/c Monday 20 July 2026.

If you have any queries about this vacancy, please contact Daniel Wake at daniel.wake@acmedsci.ac.uk.

Requirements

Essential

• Extensive experience working in analytical or evidence functions.
• Expertise in a range of analytical methods, such as: evidence synthesis, horizon scanning, behavioural insights, data analysis, evaluation, modelling, or forecasting.
• Experience in ensuring analytical quality assurance and establishing or applying analytical standards.
• Proven ability to engage with and communicate complex analytical findings clearly for non‑technical system partners, including government and sector representatives.
• Experience with working at pace and managing a range of projects.
• Good understanding of the UK science, research and health policy landscape and how evidence informs decision-making.

Desirable

• Previous work in a science, health, research or public policy environment (e.g., government, national academy, think tank, research funder).
• Experience with managing budgets and commissioning research.

Benefits

We provide our staff with a comprehensive benefits package outlined as follows:

Competitive rewards

• Generous pension scheme with flexible contributions – we contribute between 8% - 13% of your gross salary (with employee contributions of 3% - 8%).
• Life assurance at three times your salary.

Work-life Balance

• Hybrid and agile working. 50% office attendance.
• 26 days annual leave, plus Christmas closure days and bank holidays.
• Buying and selling leave.
• Family-friendly policies including enhanced maternity and paternity leave (subject to a qualifying period).

Wellbeing and Development

• Complimentary subscriptions to Headspace and Classpass to support your physical and mental wellbeing.
• Support through tailored learning and development.

Additional Benefits

• A range of enhanced benefits become available once you’ve completed your probation period.