Policy Manager

The Policy Manager has a key role in leading and coordinating the development of policy for the Liberal Democrats - working with the Party's Federal Policy Committee, working groups and Conference, Parliamentary spokespeople and other staff in LDHQ and the wider party. They will in particular lead on expanding the party's online policy engagement.,

• Supporting the generation of distinctive Liberal Democrat policy ideas both to influence the national policy debate during this Parliament, and to include in the next General Election manifesto.
• Working with the Federal Policy Committee to deliver their programme of policy development from working group to conference, including through managing a number of policy working groups.
• Driving an enhanced effort at wider policy consultation and discussion, in particular using online tools, embracing both party members and wider members of civil society.
• Working with Parliamentary Advisers to provide spokespeople with support in their role in leading policy development within the party.
• Supporting internal and external communications by working closely with colleagues in LDHQ, in particular in the Media, Digital and Membership teams.
• Promoting the image of the Party by undertaking a strategic approach to engaging with NGOs, think tanks and other bodies with a policy interest.
• Supporting the policy aspects of the Federal Conference, including a requirement to attend all conferences.
  
  We are looking for a self-starter with political judgement and a strong understanding of Liberal Democrat values, who is keen to develop their career in policy.
The successful candidate will have the ability to build relationships with key stakeholders, to assimilate and process policy ideas rapidly, and to write fluently and coherently. They will need to demonstrate the ability to generate ideas, manage several projects simultaneously and facilitate online policy consultation and discussion both within the Party and across civil society groups. Essential Skills and Experience
• Political awareness and understanding of and sympathy with Liberal Democrat values and policy.
• Ability to facilitate online policy consultation and discussion both within the Party and across civil society groups, both to engage supporters and crowdsource policy ideas.
• Ability to build relationships with key stakeholders with internal and external stakeholders
• Project management, working to deadlines with minimal supervision, co-ordinating inputs from others and handling multiple responsibilities.
• Ability to assimilate and process new and complex policy material quickly.
• Ability to write fluently and coherently, bringing together complex policy issues and proposals in a way that can be readily communicated to the public.
Desirable Skills and Experience
• Experience of conducting online consultations or events.
• Experience of a membership based organisation.
• Experience of work in Parliament, government, NGO or think tank.