Director of Policy
We are a world-class visitor attraction and leading science research centre. We use the Museum's unique collections and our unrivalled expertise to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world today. We care for more than 80 million objects spanning billions of years and welcome more than five million visitors annually and 16 million visits to our website.
Today the Museum is more relevant and influential than ever. By attracting people from a range of backgrounds to work for us, we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things.
We employ 900 staff in a variety of roles, all united by our vision of a future where people and planet thrive. We need everyone to have the passion and drive to help us with our mission to create advocates for our planet and inspire millions to care about the natural world.
Diversity and inclusion matter to us.
Our vision is of a future where both people and the planet thrive. Diversity is one of our core values and we strive to build a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging. All new staff who join us learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion to the Museum and how to contribute to creating an inclusive environment.
We know we have more to do, but we are committed to ensuring that everyone who works at the Museum feels they can thrive and feel valued and respected.
About the role
This is an exciting new role which will be critical in shaping our ambitious strategy to 'create advocates for the planet', by using the voice of the Museum to influence public attitudes and policy-makers to help shape effective policies to protect the natural world and restore it to health. Using our scientific expertise and significant public outreach, the role will ensure we put a spotlight on solutions from science and enable well-informed decision-making supported by rigorous scientific evidence.
The Director of Policy will establish a small, agile and effective Policy Unit to create wider influence and policy leverage in support of our strategy, identifying key advocacy and policy priorities and amplifying impact. Working across the organisation the role will increase our sphere of influence at home and abroad to inform actions and policy in government and business, at a local and international level and to keep the dialogue on the critical issues facing the natural world alive.
About you
With substantial, demonstrable experience of delivering policy outcomes on science and environmental policy issues, you will have used influencing and other skills to work through others to deliver policy outcomes where no direct power is held. Well versed and networked in the policy arena you will have the know-how on how to operate in terms of political/business interests and have excellent stakeholder management abilities.
Your strategic policy management means you have the experience and ability to identify desired policy outcomes and define activities required to deliver them. Establishing the role and the new policy function in the Museum, you will have the confidence to build strong relationships, apply analytical skills to draw out information and ideas, build consensus and persuade others to act.
What we offer:
- 27.5 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays (full time equivalent)
- Generous defined contribution Natural History Museum Pension Scheme (employer contribution 4 - 10%)
- Season ticket, bicycle and rental loan
- Life insurance
- Free admission to our exhibitions and many other paid exhibitions at museums, galleries and institutions across London and the UK.
- Staff discount at our Museum shops and cafes
- We offer a wide variety of training initiatives and opportunities to build skills. Investing in staff development is important to us, and we are ambitious about helping staff to grow and fulfil their potential.
- Affordable membership to the Civil Service Sports Council which offers a range of benefits including an extensive list of special offers and reduced entry fees at a selection of cinema chains, theme parks, theatres, retailers and supermarkets. It also provides entry to up to 300 English Heritage sites and other national treasures. For more details, visit https://www.cssc.co.uk
- Membership to our Sports and Social Association (for a small fee), which includes access to our in-house gym and clubs such as football, softball, table tennis and tennis and classes in Middle Eastern dance, yoga and Tai Chi
If that sounds like you, please apply online on the Natural History Museum's careers portal, at https://careers.nhm.ac.uk/
Closing date: 9am, Friday 10 December 2021
Interviews expected w/c 4 January 2022 (Second interviews expected w/c 17 January 2022)
Salary: up to £74,000 per annum