Looking for a politically astute Policy manager with experience writing policies, drafting business cases and securing them expeirence could be from any Policy area.

High Speed 2 the new multi-billion-pound high-speed railway to directly link the city centres of: London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester.  The Policy Manager will lead the development of policy in support of Land and Property department. Responsible for relationships with Government sponsor on Land and Property policy and activities and delivery of advice to Government, working closely with multi-disciplinary HS2 teams & the DFT.  The Policy Manager has to work within a highly regulated and strictly controlled legislative framework

Reporting to the Head of Business Delivery & Development working within the HS2’s Land & Property Teams whose key responsibilities is the Acquisition of over £6 billion of land and properties over the two Phases of HS2 delivery.  The Assessment of thousands of applications for acquisition under statutory blight and discretionary schemes and negotiation with hundreds of petitioners in the Hybrid Bill process. 

The Policy Manager will be mentor and peer reviewer to the whole Land & Property Team on policy.  They will be responsible for the contents of a business case or policy before seeking final sign off and approval from the L&P Director and key focal point with the DFT.  The Policies are wide and varied from Crop Compensations policy to Covid affected ways of working.

Working Situation

Due to the pandemic the role is initially based from home and then will be Birmingham or London, Euston  based.  HS2 are a flexible employer, and they will be an element of flexible working on offer – compressed hours, working a mix of office and work

• Birmingham                   £55 – 61,140 + pen (6:12) + 25 hols
• London                         £55 – 65,580 + pen (6:12) + 25 hols

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the co-ordination and production of policy advice to inform decision making  by the Department for Transport and ministers, with inputs from the wider Land  and Property team.
• Manage the relationship with the DfT by collaboratively identifying activities  required to support DfT priorities and ensuring that these are properly instructed  and implemented.
• Support and contribute to project sponsorship activities across the Land and  Property programme.
• Provide policy advice and input to Land and Property’s work, ensuring alignment  with HS2 policies.
• Co-ordinate the development of business cases as and when required.
• Lead the development of Land and Property materials for advice or publication  contributing to the broader Land and Property team, providing coaching and  guidance on policy changes and impact on the delivery programme.
• Ensure that published material on Land and Property is factually correct, fully  evidenced, and compliant with HS2 policies and priorities.
• Work closely with specialist teams in the Directorate, across HS2, and with  colleagues in the Department for Transport to align on policy development.
• Actively promote and embed Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in all your work,  and support and comply with all organisational initiatives, policies and procedures  on EDI

Candidates Criteria

Very strong interpersonal skills and very politically astute will be able build relationships within Political organisations (DFt, Cabinet office, ministers, MP’s) and carry real credibility with them.  The successful candidate will have experience drafting brand new policies and amendments to existing ones, they will also have first-hand knowledge drafting and securing Business Cases for new policies.  And will have worked and hand first-hand knowledge of the Civil Service, Local authorities., local government – could be experienced writing policies for Health and social care service, transport department, indeed open to people from any background.

Skills:

• Ability to develop and maintain a network of colleagues to achieve progress on  objectives and shared interests, working in a multidisciplinary matrix organisation.
• Ability to translate complex technical materials into concise, accurate briefings and guidance for a range of audiences including political and public stakeholders.
• Communication and influencing skills at all levels of the organisation, and with  external stakeholders
• Politically savvy with ability to respond effectively in a politically sensitive  environment
• Organisational skills and an ability to manage multiple deadlines
• Ability to bring attention to detail and problem-solving abilities to the team’s  skillset

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of managing and delivering within the constraints under which public sector arm’s
• length bodies operate and a good understanding of the nature of central government relationships.
• Understanding of the Land and Property Industry, policy and legislation from the client side
• Understanding of how compulsory purchase works as well as other government compensation schemes across commercial, agricultural and residential markets.

Type of experience:

• Experience of working in a Sponsorship or similar role representing the interests of the Client
• Stakeholder Management and Relationship skills
• Experience of writing and critiquing papers and reports
• Experience of writing business cases and influencing others to get the best outcomes
• Experience of working in a Government or Civil Service environment
• Experience of working in major infrastructure projects
• Experience of providing input into project planning & delivery
• Experience of supporting political decision-making processes