About Public First, an SHGH Company

Public First is a specialist consultancy that helps charities, philanthropists, public sector bodies and global brands to improve public policy. Based in London, we have worked in more than thirty international markets.

We are part think tank, part strategic consultancy, part research company, and part communications agency. In practice, we bring together the disciplines that make policy change happen: research and analysis, political insight, strategy and communications.

Our team includes former senior civil servants, political advisers, campaigners, researchers and journalists. Many of us have worked at the most senior levels of government, Parliament and political campaigns, and we continue to be active across the political spectrum.

Public First is part of SHGH, a Group of cross-border advisory firms, guiding clients through an unprecedented period of change in policy, politics, regulation, and sustainable growth.

Education at Public First

Education sits at the centre of some of the biggest political and social debates in the UK – from standards and accountability to inclusion, funding and social mobility. It is also one of Public First’s defining strengths. Many of our senior team have spent the past two decades working in and around education policy in government and opposition. Between us, we have advised Prime Ministers, Leaders of the Opposition, Education Secretaries and their Shadow teams, as well as numerous Ministers across the Department for Education.

We work across the full education lifecycle, partnering with multi-academy trusts, universities, charities and foundations, local and national government, trade associations, and education-facing businesses to shape policy, influence debate and drive reform.

Our education practice is organised into four broad areas:

Schools: Working with schools, multi-academy trusts, charities and foundations on issues across the schools policy landscape. Recent projects include the Commission into Countering Online Conspiracies in Schools, the Inquiry into White Working Class Educational Outcomes, the Parent Voice Project, research into attitudes to the attendance crisis, exclusions and our work on the National Tutoring Programme.

Higher education: Working with universities and mission groups on post-18 education, research and innovation policy. Recent work includes public attitudes to tuition fees, public understanding of R&D, polling on international students, and evaluation of the Office for Students Uni-Connect programme.

Skills: Working across the skills system with large corporates, regional bodies and national organisations. Recent projects include research on the impact of AI on young people’s jobs for the King’s Trust, exploring adult careers guidance for Standard Life and running a commission on skills in the financial and professional services industry for Yorkshire Building Society.

Social policy: Working with charities, foundations, trade unions, corporates and non-profit organisations to understand public opinion and policy formation across social policy issues from crime and justice through to child poverty, community cohesion and health. Recent projects include exploring public opinion on policies to tackle child poverty for Save the Children/UNICEF UK and exploring parent and pupil attitudes to food education in schools.

The Role

We are recruiting a Senior Policy Manager to play a central role in delivering our schools policy work.

This role is suited to someone with 4+ years’ experience in schools policy, research, consultancy or a closely related field, who is ready to take ownership of substantial projects and operate confidently with senior clients and stakeholders.

You will lead projects day-to-day, manage and support junior colleagues, and contribute to shaping arguments and outputs across our schools portfolio. You will work closely with Associate Directors and Directors to design projects, develop insights, and support the growth and profile of our schools work.

This is not an entry-level policy role: we are looking for someone who can bring strong subject knowledge and take responsibility quickly.

What we’re looking for

We are particularly interested in candidates who have had substantive exposure to schools policy at system level – for example in DfE or another central government department, in Parliament, in a multi-academy trust, a think tank, foundation, regulator, or specialist consultancy.

The successful candidate will:

Bring strong working knowledge of the English school system. You understand how policy decisions are made and implemented, and are familiar with current debates around key issues such as attendance, inclusion, funding, curriculum, workforce and accountability.

Take ownership of complex work. You manage projects or significant workstreams independently and deliver high-quality outputs to deadlines.

Write clearly and persuasively. You can translate complex research or policy issues into structured and accessible reports, briefings and slide decks, and adapt your style for formats such as parliamentary briefings, op-eds and press notices.

Engage confidently with clients and stakeholders. You are comfortable contributing in meetings with senior leaders and clients with relative autonomy and building trusted relationships over time.

Support and manage junior colleagues. You enjoy helping others develop, providing constructive feedback, and contributing to a strong, collaborative and high-performing team culture.

Example responsibilities:

Project leadership: Leading schools projects day-to-day, with responsibility for delivery, quality and coordination across the team.

Research and analysis: Conducting desk research, focus groups and polling; analysing quantitative and qualitative data; and ensuring outputs are rigorous, well-structured and persuasive.

Advocacy and engagement: Shaping and supporting advocacy and engagement strategies linked to our research, including developing policy recommendations, briefings and messaging, and engaging with policymakers, parliamentarians, sector leaders and other stakeholders.

Client relationships: Acting as a day-to-day lead for clients on projects, building trusted relationships and ensuring work meets client needs and expectations.

Cross organisational working: Collaborating effectively with colleagues across Public First, communicating clearly about progress and challenges, and contributing positively to team and organisational culture

Location and Salary

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and particularly encourage applications from candidates with disabilities and candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds.

We operate a hybrid working model, with a mix of home and office working. Our main office is based in Victoria. Many of us, including the founders, have young children and we work hard to be genuinely family-friendly. 

Salary will depend on experience. For this role we expect salary to range from £50,000-£65,000 for a Senior Policy Manager, depending on candidate experience.

We also offer a bonus programme, 5% pension contribution, 25 days annual leave, and private healthcare.

How to apply

Please apply below by submitting your CV and a covering letter (of no more than 600 words) setting you how you meet the criteria for the role.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we encourage early applications.

Interviews will either be online or in person at our office in Victoria, London.

Closing date: Noon on Monday 23rd March 2026.

Senior Policy Manager - Schools Team