The organisation:

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Ellwood Atfield is thrilled to partner with the National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB) who serve as the collective voice of its members, comprising the UK’s universities and leading businesses.

NCUB is committed to bringing organisations together to leverage the skills and talent fostered by UK universities and to further strengthen the nation’s world-class research and development. Its strategic, cross-sector network links universities, businesses, and governments together to provide a platform for members to engage on areas of shared opportunity. NCUB is a trusted expert, driven by data.  

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Through strong relationships with UKRI and government, NCUB acts as a voice of influence, ensuring its members’ views are heard. Now, more than ever, the UK needs the shared learning and skills that arise from collaboration. This approach will help build a stronger nation, with a flourishing economy, a united society, and lasting positive impact.

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The opportunity:

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NCUB are seeking an experienced, articulate policy professional to lead the delivery of skills and talent policy activity. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping, positioning and driving the organisations policy and engagement activities with stakeholders across the skills and talent ecosystem.

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This is an exciting opportunity to be a key member of NCUB’s high-performing policy team, drawing upon your knowledge of national skills challenges and recent policy interventions, alongside an ability to analyse and interpret quantitative and qualitative data, to achieve policy impact in line with NCUB’s priorities which will help evolve priorities over time.  

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Current NCUB focal areas include understanding future skills needs; identifying new ways in which universities and businesses can work together to improve mobility between academia and industry; and understanding how the UK government can support universities and businesses ensure a diverse and inclusive workforce. With the recent establishment and development of Skills England and ongoing debates around international talent, regional skills provision, and the Growth and Skills Levy, the role presents a timely opportunity for policy professionals seeking to develop their profile in this space.

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The post holder will actively engage and build relationships with senior stakeholders across the NCUB network and beyond to ensure our work in skills and talent is relevant to our members’ interests and influences key policy developments. This will require a proactive and forward-thinking mindset with the ability to make connections across different sectors and levels of seniority.  

Experience required:

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• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to produce high-quality outputs for a range of audiences and communicate complex issues in an accessible way.
• Demonstrable ability to identify priorities, lead new policy thinking and develop effective policy recommendations using both qualitative and quantitative sources of evidence.
• Experience of policy development and implementation in areas related to skills and talent.  
• Ability to develop strong and influential networks and to develop effective partnerships with external stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills and project management experience, including the ability to draw upon a wide range of internal and external expertise and capability.

Benefits:

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• Salary banding: £45,000 - £50,000, dependent on experience
• Hybrid working (2 days per week in the office)
• Office based in London (SE1 6FE)
• 30 days including 3-day Christmas closedown plus Bank Holidays
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay.
• Employer pension contribution of 5% (on top of the 5% employee contribution).
• Rolling annual training and development plan
• Benenden Healthcare scheme.

How to apply:

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To apply, please submit the form below and include a copy of your CV. 

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Ellwood Atfield is the leading headhunter for corporate affairs, communications, policy, and advocacy. An employee-owned boutique search firm, we help you hire the most senior leaders and everyone who reports to them. We promise to connect talented people, smoothly and efficiently.

Our purpose is to create important and enduring relationships. We are anequal opportunities employer and promote diversity across our profession toensure every individual has the opportunity to perform at their best. If you havenot done so already, please let us know if you require any support so we canmake the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.

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