About the Role
Working hours: Full time
Location: UK wide with regular travel across England and Wales
Contract type: Permanent
Salary: £65,000-£70,000
You will lead Belong’s policy and research agenda, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy and impact at national level.
You can download the full Director of Policy & Research job pack in English.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Policy & Research Leadership
- Lead the development of Belong’s policy and research agenda, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy
- Produce high-quality policy outputs including reports, briefings, consultation responses and thought leadership pieces
- Ensure Belong’s research is rigorous, inclusive and informed by lived experience
- Oversee the design and delivery of research projects, including commissioning and partnership work
- Translate research findings into actionable policy recommendations and advocacy strategies
- Foster strong collaboration between the Programme Delivery team and the Policy & Research team, ensuring that insights from Belong’s delivery continuously inform research priorities, while research findings actively shape programme design and implementation.
Influencing & Communications
- Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, parliamentarians, journalists and opinion formers
- Represent Belong externally at high-level meetings, events and in the media
- Develop strategic messaging and narratives that amplify Belong’s impact and reach
- Collaborate with the communications team to inform public affairs strategy and ensure policy work is effectively disseminated
- Support campaigns and public engagement initiatives that promote Belong’s policy goals
Organisational Development
- Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, parliamentarians, journalists and opinion formers
- Represent Belong externally at high-level meetings, events and in the media
- Develop strategic messaging and narratives that amplify Belong’s impact and reach
- Collaborate with the communications team to inform public affairs strategy and ensure policy work is effectively disseminated
- Support campaigns and public engagement initiatives that promote Belong’s policy goals
Note: This list is indicative and not exhaustive. The post holder may be required to undertake additional duties in line with the role.
About You
We are seeking a strategic and insightful leader with:
- Proven experience in policy development and research leadership
- Experience working in or with government, think tanks or advocacy organisations
- A strong understanding of social policy and influencing processes
- Knowledge of cohesion, integration and community relations and development
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Experience in media engagement and public speaking
- Ability to translate complex research into accessible policy messages
- Familiarity with participatory and applied research methods
- Strong strategic thinking and planning abilities
- Relevant qualification in public policy, social research or related field
- Experience in managing teams and budgets
- Experience in fundraising and proposal development
Personal Qualities:
- Passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK
- Strategic and visionary thinker
- Collaborative and inclusive leader
- Politically astute and intellectually curious
- Practical, focused and reliable
- Committed to personal and professional development
The Application Process
Deadline: 23:59pm, Monday 12th January 2026
First interviews: 29th & 30th January, online
Second interviews: 12th February, in-person
How to apply
To apply, please submit your CV and a word document containing answers to the below questions to recruitment@belongnetwork.co.uk with the subject line ‘Application to the role of Director of Policy & Research.’
- Why are you interested in applying and how do you feel your personal values align with our mission?
- What are the key achievements and outcomes within your career that make you a strong candidate for the role?
- How does your leadership style support others in their growth and create a positive environment for empowerment?
Please respond to each of the questions with a maximum of 400 words per answer. If you have any questions or would like to arrange an initial, informal discussion about the role, please contact recruitment@belongnetwork.co.uk.
If you think you have what it takes to fulfil this role but aren’t sure you meet every point on the person specification, please still get in touch. We’d love to have a chat and see if you could help us to create a lasting difference.