The role
The Head of Policy will play a lead role in delivering the organisation’s mission to serve as a force for good, promoting the priorities of the FCDO and other UK Government departments and advancing practical solutions to global issues. The post holder will lead a department of Programme Directors and Policy Officers, ensuring strategically focussed, high-quality and impactful events; they will also deliver events themselves. The post holder is a member of the Senior Management Team, the Heads of Department Team and the Risk Committee and will share in the overall leadership of Wilton Park.
Key responsibilities
- Oversee delivery by Programme Directors (PDs) and Policy Officers of an annual programme of policy events that contribute to Wilton Park’s financial and impact targets
- Working closely with other Senior Management Team members and PDs, lead strategic thinking for the organisation and development of policy areas
- Lead and line manage seven PDs and the Senior Policy Officer, providing guidance and mentoring as needed and role-modelling Wilton Park behaviours
- In collaboration with the Finance Director set volume and financial targets for PDs and monitor progress
- Manage a small consultant cadre of Associate Programme Directors (APDs) to ensure delivery of events that meet Wilton Park policy and business delivery/financial goals
- Coordinate and participate in stakeholder engagement and communications with FCDO officials and other government departments, partners in national and international organisations and the private sector, to identify and develop topical, timely and policy-relevant events
- Co-chair the FCDO Priorities Fund Board (£1.9m in 2025-6), soliciting and reviewing bids for events that align with the FCDO’s priorities
- Oversee the Call for Concepts programme to identify and develop new event options as suggested by HMG departments and posts and the wider Wilton Park network
- Combine policy expertise and a commercial mindset to develop existing and new business opportunities, working with the Head of Partnership Development, including on meetings of Wilton Park’s Global Impact Group
- Design, coordinate and deliver an agreed number of events, drawing on Wilton Park’s and other networks, using high-quality and outcome-focused facilitation techniques to achieve impact
- Develop and support policy and organisational innovations as appropriate
- As Information Asset Owner, be responsible for managing the risks to personal information and business critical information held within the department
- Contribute to other corporate activities as needed
Person specification
Essential skills
- Ability to lead, manage and inspire a large team, including through periods of uncertainty and high pressure
- A strong background in policy and delivery of complex, cross-cutting programmes
- Ability to design and deliver events using high-quality and outcome-focussed facilitation techniques to achieve impact
- Commercial awareness and ability to understand and meet financial targets
- Comfortable challenging the status quo, being open to, and championing new approaches and managing complexity
- Strategic leader able to work within a fast-moving, dynamic environment and take effective decisions
- Good people management skills with proven experience in motivating individuals and increasing team performance
- Versatility and a willingness to deliver a wide range of corporate and management functions to support the organisation’s success
Desirable skills
- Substantive policy experience of at least one of the following:
- Global Governance and the Multilateral System
- Science, Technology and Innovation
- Climate and Environment
- Global Economy and Trade
- Geopolitics, State and Non-State Actors
- International Peace and Security
- International Development and Global Public Goods
- Strong inter-personal and communication skills
- Excellent self-organisation skills and track record of professional success
- Experience of reporting on outcomes to partners and sponsors
- Acquaintance with Government Functional Standards