Senior Policy Manager (Analysis Lead)

The Policy Directorate brings together the Academy’s policy, analysis and external affairs functions to address major science and health policy issues in the UK and internationally. The Directorate works as a single, coordinated team, focusing resources on priority areas, applying strategic approaches, generating high‑quality evidence and insights, and engaging effectively with government, stakeholders and partners to inform decision‑making and influence policy.

You will work in the Academy’s new Analysis Function, which ensures that policy development, external engagement, and rapid response work are consistently underpinned by high‑quality analytical insight. Reporting to the Head of Policy Analysis, you will lead activities in a team that spans qualitative and quantitative methods, evidence synthesis, horizon scanning, policy modelling and evaluation.

You will work within the Policy Directorate (including the Policy Development and External Affairs functions) to improve the quality and impact of policy recommendations, and ensure decision-makers can rely on timely, trusted analysis.

Work with the Head of Policy Analysis to develop the Analysis Function’s strategy, operating model, standards, governance and ways of working.

Work with Policy Managers to agree strategies for evidence gathering in support of policy priorities.

Advise on risks, uncertainties, and the implications of emerging scientific and technological trends as they pertain to the conduct of medical sciences and the health service.

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.

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.

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.

If you have any queries about this vacancy, please contact Daniel Wake at [email protected].

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.

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.

Download the job description.