Policy Manager

Role:
Policy Manager
Salary Band:£28,000 - £46,015 gross per annum
Contract:Permanent
Hours:Full Time
Location:Woodstock, Oxfordshire

Our client is a national charity supporting people in rural areas to set up and run successful community‑owned businesses. These businesses — from shops and pubs to woodlands and farms — provide vital services, create local jobs, strengthen rural economies and bring people together. They have championed community ownership for over 100 years because it delivers thriving, inclusive and resilient places.

The charity is looking for a Policy Manager to lead their policy and public affairs work, ensuring rural community‑owned businesses have a strong voice in local, regional and national decision‑making.

You will take a “listen first, act second” approach, building trusted relationships with members and using their lived experience to shape evidence‑based policy positions. Working closely with the Chief Executive and colleagues across the organisation, you will influence political stakeholders, raise awareness of the community business model, and help create a supportive policy, legislative and funding environment.

This role also leads the charity's research output, including their flagship Better Business Reports, and contributes to strategic organisational initiatives.

5pm Thursday 19 March 2026

First stage interview to be held via video conference on Monday 30 March.

Click the job board apply button, you will be taken to the next stage. There you can find out more information, and complete your application by following the instructions (you may need to scroll down).

This employer is committed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and their approach goes beyond ‘protected characteristics’ to thinking more broadly about inclusion. Every individual will think and feel differently and they believe that these differences should be embraced, and individual needs taken into account. Additionally, the makeup of the rural communities they work with leads to their own particular diversity and exclusion challenges and opportunities compared to urban areas.

Their commitment to EDI, both internally and externally, has been tailored to the organisation and the communities it serves.

Our client is a registered charity, and a company limited by guarantee.

No agencies please.