Senior Manager Impact and Policy Engagement

Role Purpose

The Senior Manager – Impact and Policy Engagement will play a pivotal role in strengthening GEDU’s civic and strategic impact.

The postholder will lead the coordination and delivery of initiatives that demonstrate GEDU’s and GBS’s contribution to the local communities in which it operates while deepening engagement with external stakeholders and delivering measurable impact. 

This role is central to enhancing GEDU’s and GBS’s reputation as an institution committed to its communities and its students.

Key Responsibilities

Impact Strategy and Delivery

• Coordinate and deliver a programme of activities in Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester, East London and West London  aligned to GBS’s priority SDGs:
  • Reduced inequalities
  • Decent jobs and economic growth
  • Zero hunger
• Support GEDU’s partnership with the UN Institute for Training and Research, including delivery of the CIFAL London programme.

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships

• In each community, build, manage, and deepen relationships with external stakeholders, including:
  • MPs, Metro Mayors, and local council representatives;
  • Businesses/employers;
  • Media organisations;
  • Community and civic partners;
• Act as the primary relationship lead for partner organisations within each local community.
• Develop and maintain relationships with national organisations aligned to GEDU’s and GBS’s mission, particularly those focused on social mobility.
• Position GBS and GEDU as a pivotal partner in local growth, skills development, and widening opportunity.
• Identify opportunities to expand GEDU’s and GBS’s influence and partnerships.

Policy and External Affairs

• Monitor and respond to relevant policy developments affecting higher education, apprenticeships/training, social mobility and economic growth.
• Support senior leadership engagement with policymakers and civic leaders.
• Develop briefing materials and thought leadership to strengthen GEDU’s external voice.

Sustainability and Reporting

• Lead the development and delivery of the annual GEDU Sustainability Report.
• create other content/blogs related to impact and the SDGs.
• ensure the CIFAL London pages on the (soon to be refreshed) GEDU website are up to date.
• Ensure robust data collection, impact measurement, and reporting aligned to recognised frameworks and organisational priorities.

Partnership Management and Programme Delivery

• Manage the day-to-day relationship with UNITAR, ensuring alignment with GEDU’s strategic objectives.
• Oversee CIFAL London activities, ensuring effective programme delivery and collaboration with GEDU colleagues across the globe. 
• Identify and develop opportunities to grow the impact and visibility of these partnerships.

Person Specification

Essential Experience and Skills

• Proven experience in impact, public affairs, policy, or stakeholder engagement roles.
• Strong understanding of higher education policy, economic development, and social impact agendas.
• Demonstrable experience of building and managing senior external relationships.
• Experience in delivering complex, multi-stakeholder programmes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and briefing preparation.

Desirable

• Experience working with international organisations or partnerships (e.g. UN-affiliated bodies).
• Knowledge of sustainability reporting frameworks, the SDGs and ESG principes.
• Experience working across distributed organisations.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into delivery.
• Highly collaborative and relationship-driven.
• Politically astute with strong influencing skills.
• Proactive, organised, and outcome-focused.