Policy and Advocacy Manager

About the organisation:

Access – The Foundation for Social Investment exists to address a critical challenge: ensuring charities and social enterprises can access the finance they need to make a difference. Together with our partners, we ensure they have the means to sustain or scale their impact.

Since our inception, Access has worked alongside our partners, strengthening collective efforts to accelerate change - bringing together blended finance, enterprise development, and partnerships across sectors to better serve communities. The recent allocation of £87.5 million in additional Dormant Assets funding marks an important moment for Access and partners across the ecosystem, creating new opportunities to deepen our impact and extend support to the organisations and communities that need it most.

We focus on ensuring investment reaches underserved places and communities, developing innovative financial tools that strengthen resilience and sustainability, and driving long-term systems change. By combining practical solutions such as blended finance and enterprise grants with our role as a convenor and connector, we help build a stronger ecosystem that enables charities and social enterprises to thrive and create lasting impact in their communities.

The opportunity:

Access is looking for an experienced Policy and Advocacy Manager to lead its work with central government and other non-departmental public bodies. Reporting to the Director of Partnerships and Advocacy, you will represent Access with decision-makers, turning evidence and insight into practical policy proposals, and making the case in person and in writing for better support for community-based charities and social enterprises.

You will pick up and develop a portfolio of strategic external relationships, including HM Treasury, the Office for the Impact Economy, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) as well as other relevant Public Finance Institutions.

Main responsibilities:

• Develop clear, actionable policy recommendations to government and relevant NDPBs that expand funding and support for charities and social enterprises.
• Advocate for long-term funding and policy models, representing Access at forums and events and engaging directly with decision-makers, including MPs.
• Contribute to campaigns, policy forums and advocacy groups to strengthen Access’s influence on social economy issues and social policy developments.
• Write policy briefs, reports and position papers, and contribute blogs, press releases and speeches to Access’s wider communications.
• Use data, sector insights and case studies to build the case for policy change and strengthen Access’s position as a thought leader.

Key skills and experience required:

• Proven experience in policy development, a strong understanding of government policy-making, and the ability to turn complex issues into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Extensive public affairs experience, working closely with government officials, MPs and other decision-makers.
• A track record of building relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, including government departments and NDPBs.
• Strong analytical skills, using evidence to build a compelling case for change, and experience of measurement frameworks to track the impact of policy and advocacy work.
• Desirable: familiarity with social investment, social enterprises and their policy landscape.

How to apply:

To apply, please submit via our website and include a copy of your CV.

Application deadline: Friday 16th October 2026

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Our purpose is to create important and enduring relationships. We are an equal opportunities employer and promote diversity across our profession to ensure every individual has the opportunity to perform at their best. If you have not done so already, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.