Policy Advisor

Policy Advisor with the National Wealth Fund

Location: Hybrid working with a minimum of 3 days per week in the Leeds office. For those applying for secondment positions, you will be required in the Leeds office 2 days a week, with travel and accommodation expenses covered by the NWF.

Salary: £60,000 – 70,000 per annum

Application Deadline: 31st January 2025. Early submission is encouraged, and applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Join our team: We are excited to announce multiple opportunities for passionate and driven self-starters to join our team as Policy Advisors. Whether you are looking for a permanent position or are a civil servant interested in a secondment to National Wealth Fund, we have roles that will suit your career aspirations and professional growth.

About Us: The National Wealth Fund (NWF) is at the forefront of driving the UK’s economic growth and Net Zero objectives. This is an exciting time to join the new National Wealth Fund as part of a growing team, as the organisation takes on a new, broader role in delivering the UK’s economic growth and Net Zero objectives, building on the UK Infrastructure Bank’s leadership and experience to date.

The Role: As a Policy Manager, you will play a crucial role in shaping the strategic direction of the NWF as it continues to develop and evolve. Your work will be pivotal in helping us navigate our transition from UK Infrastructure Bank to the National Wealth Fund and deliver on the ambitions of our shareholder HM Treasury for NWF including:

• More capital: £27.8bn, including at least £5.8bn for green hydrogen, carbon capture, ports, gigafactories and green steel
• Renewed focus: beyond infrastructure to support of Government’s industrial strategy as well as clean energy mission and growth mission.
• More catalytic: trialling new blended finance solutions with government departments

You will lead a portfolio of work on discrete policy or strategy issues for the new National Wealth Fund as it builds a broader investment mandate to support the delivery of the government’s Industrial Strategy, clean energy transition and drive economic growth around the country. You will own relationships with government departments and key stakeholders to understand government policy in particular sectors, influence the NWF’s overall strategic direction and shape its activity, supporting our pipeline of investment, developing blended finance solutions to more effectively use public capital to crowd in private investment. You will form part of the deal teams leading on policy due diligence on individual transactions.

The exact policy area and role will depend on business needs and the expertise of the individual and will be discussed with candidates at interview stage.

Core Accountabilities:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key public sector stakeholders (including government departments and devolved administrations), to understand and influence policy developments, to ensure NWF activity is effectively delivering government policy aims, and to support the most effective use of public funds to mobilise private investment.
• Lead on developing and implementing aspects of the National Wealth Fund’s new investment mandate and new approach to mobilising private finance, such as by trialling new finance solutions with government departments.
• Work collaboratively with teams across the organisation, external stakeholders and government departments to develop and deliver a programme of investments in discrete sectors in support of the Government’s Industrial Strategy, clean energy and growth missions.
• Lead work on discrete cross-cutting policy issues as required, producing policy papers on emerging thinking and trends to support decision making by the NWF’s Executive Committee and Board. Spot key issues, risks and opportunities relevant to these policy areas and work with other functions across the organisation to identify and recommend ways forward.
• Leading on elements of the NWF’s overall strategy development and implementation, including elements of the next strategic plan, annual business planning, working closely with functions across the organisation, the Executive Committee and Board to ensure an appropriate and stretching plan for the upcoming year.
• Lead on the appraisal of individual investment proposals against our strategic objectives and supporting due diligence processes on transactions, as required. This includes working in cross-function deal teams with banking, impact and risk colleagues, drafting and contributing to Investment Committee papers and supporting senior colleagues through written and verbal briefings to ensure alignment with the Bank’s strategic objectives.
• Support wider work to establish an effective policy and strategy function which is well integrated and influential across the NWF.

Essential Experience, Knowledge and Skills:

• Experience working in a policy role, preferably within government departments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead or influence policy change.
• Proven track record of delivering projects or initiatives within government or in collaboration with government (public or private sector expertise).
• Able to develop and maintain strong relationships with multiple stakeholders.
• A self-starter who is able to demonstrate strong initiative to drive progress at pace, working proactively and able to evidence an innovative approach to plans and solutions.
• An effective decision-maker, comfortable working with incomplete information or in an emerging area.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of senior and external colleagues, influencing effectively and providing constructive challenge.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, to be able to effectively communicate policy positions across the organisation and with external stakeholders.

Desirable Experience, Knowledge and Skills:

• Working in a strategy or investment-focused role may be an advantage but is not essential.
• Experience in infrastructure sectors such as clean energy, transport, digital, water, waste, green hydrogen, carbon capture, ports, gigafactories, and green steel.
• Experience in industrial strategy sectors such as advanced manufacturing, creative industries, defence, digital technologies, financial services, life sciences, and professional services.

Note: We will prioritise applications that are able to demonstrate the essential experience listed above in their application.

Application Process: To apply, please submit a CV and 1 page covering letter outlining your experience and motivations for joining the National Wealth Fund.

We are recruiting for several roles which will either be permanent positions or secondments. Please indicate in your covering letter whether you would prefer a permanent role or secondment.

Interested candidates currently on secondment or who would like a secondment opportunity at NWF should ensure their line managers are aligned prior to applying.

Interview Dates: This will be a 2-stage interview process:

First stage interviews will take place from Friday 13th December 2024

Final stage interviews will take place from Wednesday 18th December 2024

Additional Information: This is the first round of interviews. We plan to conduct two additional recruitment rounds:

Week Commencing Monday, 20th January 2025

Week Commencing Monday, 10th February 2025

Please note that the final stage will include a presentation.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and provide equal employment opportunities. We are also open to discussing flexible working patterns beyond full-time positions.

If you require any adjustments to participate in the application or interview process, please contact our Resourcing Team at recruitment@ukib.org.uk.

A career with us offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact and work on cutting-edge technologies that will drive the UK’s future. We value diversity in our people and inclusion is at the heart of what we do.

We offer competitive benefits and unique learning opportunities from combining both private and public sector skills and experience.