Policy & Advocacy Lead

Kick it Out

  • London
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 6 days ago
About the JobKick It Out, football’s leading equality and inclusion organisation, is looking for a Policy & Advocacy Lead to take charge of shaping and driving our policy agenda. This role blends high-impact policy development, research direction, and strategic communications to influence change across football and wider society. You will lead and shape our policy priorities, oversee the design and delivery of rigorous, community-rooted research, and ensure our findings are communicated powerfully to decision-makers. At the core of your work will be amplifying the voices and lived experiences of our beneficiaries to drive lasting, systemic change in football and beyond.ResponsibilitiesPolicy & Advocacy
  • Shape and develop policy positions in line with KIO’s mission and strategic priorities, working closely with senior leadership but also exercising independent judgment to shape evidence-informed recommendations.
  • Provide high-level analysis of policy, legislative, and regulatory developments, identifying risks and opportunities for KIO and advising internal stakeholders on strategic responses.
  • Represent KIO in internal & external policy and advocacy spaces, acting as a credible and constructive voice in sector-wide change.
  • Draft clear, compelling, and evidence-based policy briefings, consultation responses, and position papers that influence public discourse and policy decisions, always with a focus on advancing inclusion in sport.
  • Lead and maintain strategic relationships with civil servants, parliamentarians, academics, think tanks, and other policy stakeholders, representing KIO’s priorities with integrity and influence.
  • Drive cross-organisational alignment between policy, advocacy, and programme teams, providing guidance and tools that empower colleagues to contribute effectively to advocacy efforts.
  • Lead cross-functional working groups for KIO, collaborating with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders to drive alignment and deliver outcomes.
  • Ensure all policy and advocacy work reflects a strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and community voice.
Research
  • Lead and manage research projects that support organisational learning, influence strategies, and advocacy priorities, identifying and addressing gaps in the evidence base through commissioned or in-house research.
Communications & Public Engagement
  • Prepare high-quality briefing materials for internal and external use, supporting senior leaders and spokespeople ahead of media appearances, public engagements, and key meetings.
  • Support the communications team in handling media enquiries, ensuring accurate and timely responses that align with the organisation’s policy positions and messaging.
  • Collaborate with the Head of Communications & Advocacy to craft compelling advocacy messages and public content.
  • Contribute to blogs, opinion pieces, and social media to raise awareness of key issues and policy positions.
What we’re looking for:
  • Commitment to equality and inclusion and the aims and values of Kick It Out.
  • Strong understanding of the current EDI landscape, the Equality Act, and wider debates on social justice, inclusion, sport, and education, with insight into how these shape policy development and implementation.
  • Demonstrable experience in a policy, public affairs, research, or advocacy role within the charity, public, or think tank sector.
  • Familiarity with parliamentary and government processes relevant to sport, education, or equality.
  • Experience influencing or contributing to consultations, policy campaigns, or research, with a proven track record of developing evidence-based policy recommendations.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience producing clear, persuasive briefings, contributing to public messaging, and supporting advocacy campaigns.
  • Strong analytical skills, with the ability to critically analyse research, interpret data, and present complex ideas confidently and clearly.
  • Excellent relationship builder, with experience engaging and developing strong relationships with stakeholders across multiple sectors.
  • Strong organisational skills, proactive approach, and ability to manage competing priorities in a small team.
Benefits
  • Fully Remote Working: Enjoy the flexibility of working remotely. While we don’t have a physical office, we organise in-person “away days” for team-building and collaboration.
  • Annual Leave: Enjoy 25 days of annual leave alongside bank holidays.
  • Additional Leave: Enjoy 2 extra days off during the Christmas season and a day off for your Birthday. Your leave allowance also increases with years of service.
  • Group Income Protection: Financial security in case of illness or disability.
  • Group Life Insurance: Peace of mind with life insurance coverage for you and your loved ones.
  • Medical and Wellbeing Benefits: Comprehensive support from day one, including a nutrition and fitness program, digital GP service, and mental health services.
  • Private Health Insurance: Optional access to our private healthcare plan.
  • Pension Contribution: A 5% pension contribution to help secure your financial future.
  • Inclusive Parental Leave: Supportive parental leave policies to help you balance work and family life.
Equal Opportunities StatementKick It Out is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion extends to every aspect of our work, from our hiring practices to our everyday interactions and wider mission. If you're hesitant to apply because you don’t meet every single job requirement, please know that we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. We value diverse experiences and skills, and we believe that potential can often outweigh specific requirements. If you require additional support, reasonable adjustments or have any questions about the recruitment process, please reach out to our People Team on jobs@kickitout.org .We wish you the best of luck in the application process and look forward to the possibility of welcoming you to our team.All of our roles are fully remote but require travel for monthly away days, relevant events, and meetings, mainly in London but sometimes elsewhere in the UK. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.Application Deadline: 19th September

Kick it Out