Deputy Head of Policy (Higher Education)

The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences – is seeking a Deputy Head of Higher Education Policy to join our Higher Education and Research Policy team, providing key support in the delivery of education and skills policy activities. The role The Deputy Head will support the leadership of the Higher Education and Research Policy team, a collaborative, productive and high-performing part of the Academy’s Policy Directorate alongside the Public Policy Team and the Global Strategy, Policy and Engagement team. We work to position the Academy as a thought leader on higher education and research policy, engaging in evidence-based policy to influence the health and vibrancy of our disciplines. You will lead in managing the delivery of the Academy’s higher education, teaching and skills activity. You will have specific responsibility for these themes and activities, leading Senior and Junior Policy Advisers to create research and policy projects which offer insight into current and future critical policy issues in the higher education system. Current and planned work includes assessments on the relationship between post-16 choice, higher education degree, and graduate outcomes; analytical maps of cold spots in SHAPE provision; the strategic importance of languages to the UK; and the role of skills – including AI – in UK economic strategy. In leading this work, you will need to engage with critical stakeholders in the education landscape, including the Office for Students and the Department for Education. You will have a critical role in supporting the Head of Policy to lead a growing and successful team in delivering impactful work which champions the SHAPE disciplines. With line management responsibility for a Senior Policy Adviser, you will need to take a proactive and collaborative approach in developing and implementing creative ideas and concepts in policy research and analysis. Joining an enthusiastic, close team of policy experts, the postholder is expected to work with the wider policy teams and across the Academy to help tailor our higher education policy work to the strategic objectives of the organisation. Minimum Requirements The ideal candidate will have a strong education policy background and be excited to shape and contribute to our higher education policy activities. We are looking for someone proactive and collaborative in their approach to developing and implementing creative ideas and concepts in policy research and analysis. About the Academy The British Academy is the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences, established by Royal Charter in 1902. We mobilise these disciplines to understand the world and shape a brighter future. Today’s complex challenges can only be resolved by deepening our insight into people, culture, and societies. With a Fellowship of around 1700 leading national and international academics, the Academy invests in researchers and projects across the UK and overseas; engages the public with fresh thinking and debates; and brings together scholars, government, business, and civil society to influence policy. The Academy currently has five directorates: Communications & Marketing; Development; Policy; Research; and Resources, plus a small Governance & Fellowship Team. We have increased staffing in the last 12 months and expect to continue to grow this year. Working at the Academy Our senior management team have worked with staff to foster a culture of collaboration, respect, and empathy, in which all contributions are recognised as we work towards our common goals. Our people strategy and working practices focus on building strengths and sharing insights, with learning & development, wellbeing, and equality, diversity & inclusion at the centre of how we operate as an organisation. Investing in our staff and encouraging a healthy work/life balance is central to our success, as we move forward and continue to grow. Find out more about the British Academy, including our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement. Terms and conditions The British Academy is based at 10-11, Carlton House Terrace, St James Park, London, SW1 – a Grade 1 listed building. We offer a competitive benefits package including a 35-hour working week; 34 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays; a subsidised canteen and an excellent occupational pension. How to apply We use Applied for our recruitment. Applied aims to overcome unconscious bias in recruiting. Instead of using CVs, candidates are asked to answer questions that test skills needed for the role. The responses are then anonymised and reviewed in a random order by members of the hiring panel. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, in line with our commitment to create a diverse and inclusive working environment, promote equal opportunity, and address under-representation. We will make reasonable adjustments to support disabled job applicants and offer an interview to those meeting the minimum selection criteria. For further information and to apply, please visit our website. Applications must be received no later than

12:00 noon on 27 January 2025 .

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