Policy Associate (Regulatory and Innovation Policy)

Policy Associate - Regulatory and Innovation Policy

We are looking for a Policy Associate to join our Strategy and Innovation Directorate in either our Birmingham, Cardiff or London office. This is a senior role which carries significant responsibilities and opportunities to influence the policy direction of the SRA. You will have the opportunity to work across our policy areas, including on Innovation policy. We may be able to consider different flexible working arrangements.

The Policy Associate role

We have an ambitious and exciting three-year Corporate Strategy for 2023-2026. The Strategy, Innovation and External Affairs Directorate has a leading role in delivering this Strategy, working with the Executive and the Board. The Directorate is also responsible for identifying new projects that deliver our new strategic objectives.

The role of the Policy Associate will be to make an informed contribution to a varied range of policy and research projects that may include regulatory policy, innovation and technology and education and training. You will be involved in the development, as well as the delivery and implementation, of major reforms, helping the SRA to deliver effective policies that protect consumers of legal services and promote the rule of law.

You will plan, organise and manage work streams within complex and high stakes policy development projects. You will also apply robust project management techniques.

You will be expected to become an expert on policy issues you may not be familiar with and will be responsible for carrying out rigorous analysis to create innovative policy solutions to complex problems. As part of the role, you will be engaging with stakeholders both internally and externally, including at executive level. You will have a clear understanding of the range of available regulatory tools, the importance of an evidence base and the values of equality, diversity and inclusion to deliver effective policy outcomes.

As well as delivering policy projects in a more traditional sense, we are increasingly delivering our agenda through piloting, collaborating, partnering and influencing. You will be expected to help identify and deliver different ways of us achieving our aims.

What's in it for me

• Contribute and make an impact to the delivery of our Corporate Strategy, including on new policy areas like AI regulation
• Develop and build influential relationships with external stakeholders whilst representing the SRA
• Work in an environment that values equality, diversity and inclusion
• Join an influential team at an exciting time of change
• Additional 3% of annual basic salary for you to choose the benefits that best suit your lifestyle and personal situation
• Pension - We will contribute 1½ - 2 times your contribution, up to 12.25%. So, if you contribute 7%, you will enjoy the maximum combined contribution of 19.25%

What we are looking for

• A strong influencer who communicates confidently, clearly and concisely to all levels of stakeholders
• An ability to understand complex policy issues and be able to apply analysis and use judgement to develop practical solutions
• Excellent drafting skills producing high quality work in a range of formats for a range of audiences. In particularly producing well-argued and well-evidenced papers for executive and Board level stakeholders that will be externally published
• Experience of policy development, including in complex policy areas, and understanding the range of regulatory and research tools and technology to achieve an outcome
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work constructively with colleagues of all levels, establishing influential relationships

Useful and additional information

There is a full role profile attached to the bottom of this advert on our website.

We are recruiting for this role on a full-time basis, working 35 hours per week. We welcome applicants who may be looking to achieve a balance between their personal and professional life and may be able to consider flexible working arrangements. If you have any questions that aren't in this advert or on our website, please contact us via

The SRA headquarters are in Birmingham although the Regulatory Policy team is split across our Birmingham and London offices. This is a hybrid role and can be based either in our Birmingham, Cardiff or London office 1-2 days a week, and from home for rest of the week. Some travel will be required to the SRA's other offices (usually to our Birmingham office), or for meetings with stakeholders or attendance at events. This would be in addition to days at your home office.

The salary offer for this role will be from £45,404 to £47,541 per annum for Birmingham and Cardiff based and from £49,945 to £52,295 per annum for London based, depending on knowledge, skills and experience.

To apply

Please click 'apply' to complete the online application form and upload a CV and cover letter, addressing how you meet the essential criteria listed under the 'what we are looking for' section above.

Closing date for applications is 12 January 2024 at 23:55.