Director of Policy and Advocacy

Shape the Future of UK Renewable Energy Policy

Lead the REA’s policy and advocacy agenda at a pivotal time for the UK’s renewable energy and clean technology sectors. As Director of Policy & Advocacy, you’ll be a senior voice for an industry at the heart of the transition to net zero – shaping policy, influencing government and driving system-wide change across renewable energy and the circular economy.

You’ll oversee the REA’s 14 policy forums across four strategic pillars – Power & Flexibility, Heat & Cooling, Transport, and Circular Bioresources – ensuring our policy work is ambitious, coordinated and delivers tangible value for our members.

What You'll Be Doing

As part of the REA’s Senior Leadership Team, you’ll lead our policy and advocacy function, managing four policy pillar heads and a wider team of policy professionals. You’ll work closely with our members, Policy Board, government and industry stakeholders to establish the REA as the leading policy voice for renewable energy and the circular economy.

Key responsibilities include:

• Setting the REA’s strategic policy programme with members and the Policy Board, developing a clear policy roadmap and overseeing its delivery
• Providing the Secretariat to the REA Policy Board and reporting progress against policy objectives and KPIs
• Ensuring our 14 policy forums work together effectively to address cross-cutting and system-wide policy challenges
• Developing a compelling advocacy strategy that strengthens the REA’s influence across Westminster, government and industry
• Building and leveraging senior relationships with ministers, parliamentarians, civil servants, regulators, journalists and other key stakeholders
• Representing the REA on industry boards and at conferences, meetings, exhibitions and other high-profile events
• Acting as a senior spokesperson and ambassador for the REA across broadcast, print and social media
• Producing high-quality policy briefings, member updates, thought leadership and forward-looking policy proposals
• Leading, developing and supporting a high-performing policy team
• Driving member value and growth through policy activity, including sponsorship, grant-funded projects, member retention and policy-related revenue
• Managing the Policy & Advocacy budget and contributing to organisational budgeting and forecasting
• Supporting delivery of the REA’s wider five-year strategic plan

About You

You’re an established policy and advocacy leader with the credibility, strategic judgement and personal gravitas to represent an entire sector at senior level.

You combine a strong understanding of the UK energy and policy landscape with the ability to turn complex technical and commercial issues into clear, persuasive policy positions. You’re equally comfortable developing long-term strategy, negotiating with senior stakeholders, speaking publicly and leading a talented team.

You have:

• Demonstrable experience developing and leading successful policy and advocacy strategies at senior level within energy, the circular economy or a closely related sector
• Strong knowledge of renewable energy, clean technologies and the GB policy and regulatory landscape
• A track record of building effective relationships with government, regulators, industry and other senior stakeholders
• Excellent written, verbal and advocacy skills, with the ability to communicate complex issues to policymakers, industry, the media and the public
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to translate evidence and data into compelling policy positions
• Strategic thinking combined with the ability to turn organisational priorities into deliverable policy and advocacy plans
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams
• Strong commercial and financial management skills, with an understanding of how high-quality policy work can support member value, retention and organisational growth
• A highly collaborative approach and a strong understanding of member priorities, market challenges and policy drivers
• The resilience, initiative and judgement needed to operate effectively in a high-profile senior role

Qualifications and Knowledge

You’ll bring extensive knowledge of renewable energy, clean technology and the wider UK policy landscape, together with significant experience operating at a senior level in the energy sector, circular economy or an adjacent industry.

You’ll understand the interaction between different technologies and policy areas and be able to take a system-wide view rather than working within individual policy silos. Where there are gaps in your technical or sector knowledge, you’ll have the ability and willingness to get up to speed quickly.

Above all, you’ll be purpose-driven and passionate about the transition to a net zero economy, aligned with the REA’s mission to grow renewable energy and clean technology while delivering greater energy security, lower emissions and economic opportunity.

What REA Offer

• 25 days holiday plus days between Christmas and New Years treated as holiday
• Westfield Health insurance + EAP
• Discounts and perks
• Birthday voucher
• Cycle to work scheme
• Pension scheme
• Climate perks sustainable travel days

How to Apply

If you feel this role could be the right fit for you, please click the "apply now" button

*Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy ahead of the advertised closing date if sufficient applications are received, therefore we encourage early applications.

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