Principal Policy and Insights Lead
£62,163 - £65,818 per year
Shape the future of skills and employment policy across the North East
We're looking for a dynamic, innovative and forward-thinking individual to lead a specialist policy team, focussing on skills, employment and the future workforce.
The Principal Policy and Insights Lead for skills and employment will play a pivotal role in the development of policy, strategy and evidence bases relating to devolved skills provision, career development, technical/vocational education pathways, and workforce/occupational needs. The postholder will act as a senior strategic adviser within the wider Skills, Inclusion and Public Service Reform directorate, shaping long-term strategic direction and the North East MSA’s role within the evolving landscape of English devolution. The postholder will act as the directorate lead for skills policy, leading the development of high-impact policy and strategy across complex agendas, ensuring the MSA’s senior officers are equipped with the insight, analysis, and strategic advice needed to drive the region’s human capital ambitions.
This is an integral leadership role within the Skills Policy, Strategy and Insights Service, leading and taking accountability for the policy arm, focussing on: scanning the horizon for emerging opportunities and risks; preparing for and interpreting major events and political announcements; and positioning the MSA to influence national skills and employment policy, secure further devolution, and strengthen the region’s voice.
The postholder will lead and shape skills policy development from inception through to implementation, ensuring coherence across the directorate and working closely with internal stakeholders, external partners and key regional influencers. The role will build and maintain senior relationships across government departments, local authorities, education providers, employers, business/employer representative bodies and wider partners. Through these relationships, the postholder will help strengthen the organisation’s strategic influence, champion the region’s interests, and help define where the MSA goes next in relation to human capital.
About You
We are looking for an outstanding strategic thinker who can turn complex policy, evidence and emerging trends into clear, ambitious action. You will bring significant experience of leading policy and strategy development in a political or public-sector environment, alongside a strong understanding of English devolution, local government and national policymaking.
You will understand the skills, careers, employment support and economic inclusion landscape, including 16+ provision, technical and vocational pathways, further and higher education, lifelong learning and workforce development. Confident interpreting major fiscal events and government announcements, you will translate national developments into compelling place-based implications and opportunities.
Analytical and intellectually curious, you will combine quantitative and qualitative evidence to demonstrate impact, lead horizon scanning and futures analysis, and produce high-quality insight and briefings at pace. You will communicate with clarity and influence, tailoring concise policy products and strategic narratives for senior audiences.
A natural relationship-builder, you will inspire confidence across government, business, education, academia and the wider system. You can lead complex cross-departmental projects from concept to implementation, organise competing priorities and exercise sound judgement in ambiguous or politically sensitive situations. Strong digital capability, including confident use of Microsoft Office, will support your delivery.
Above all, you will be proactive, resilient and values-led, with a genuine commitment to public value, inclusive growth and better outcomes for residents and communities. You will champion partnership working, equality and diversity, continuous improvement, integrity, transparency and the highest professional standards.
So, if you... would like to play a pivotal leadership role as we enter a new era of devolution, skills and inclusion, we would welcome your application.
We are proud to be an inclusive employer, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, communities and experiences. We support flexible working and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented including women, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people and those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.
If you have any questions regarding this role, please reach out to Reshma Begum, Head of Skills, Policy and Insight, Reshma.Begum@northeast-ca.gov.uk.
It is anticipated that interviews will take place Wednesday 9th December 2026.
Closing date for applications: Thursday 12th November 2026 at 23:59.
For further information about the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority please visit our website www.northeast-ca.gov.uk.
This recruitment is being administered by Durham County Council on behalf of the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority.
We're looking for a dynamic, innovative and forward-thinking individual to lead a specialist policy team, focussing on skills, employment and the future workforce.
The Principal Policy and Insights Lead for skills and employment will play a pivotal role in the development of policy, strategy and evidence bases relating to devolved skills provision, career development, technical/vocational education pathways, and workforce/occupational needs. The postholder will act as a senior strategic adviser within the wider Skills, Inclusion and Public Service Reform directorate, shaping long-term strategic direction and the North East MSA’s role within the evolving landscape of English devolution. The postholder will act as the directorate lead for skills policy, leading the development of high-impact policy and strategy across complex agendas, ensuring the MSA’s senior officers are equipped with the insight, analysis, and strategic advice needed to drive the region’s human capital ambitions.
This is an integral leadership role within the Skills Policy, Strategy and Insights Service, leading and taking accountability for the policy arm, focussing on: scanning the horizon for emerging opportunities and risks; preparing for and interpreting major events and political announcements; and positioning the MSA to influence national skills and employment policy, secure further devolution, and strengthen the region’s voice.
The postholder will lead and shape skills policy development from inception through to implementation, ensuring coherence across the directorate and working closely with internal stakeholders, external partners and key regional influencers. The role will build and maintain senior relationships across government departments, local authorities, education providers, employers, business/employer representative bodies and wider partners. Through these relationships, the postholder will help strengthen the organisation’s strategic influence, champion the region’s interests, and help define where the MSA goes next in relation to human capital.
About You
We are looking for an outstanding strategic thinker who can turn complex policy, evidence and emerging trends into clear, ambitious action. You will bring significant experience of leading policy and strategy development in a political or public-sector environment, alongside a strong understanding of English devolution, local government and national policymaking.
You will understand the skills, careers, employment support and economic inclusion landscape, including 16+ provision, technical and vocational pathways, further and higher education, lifelong learning and workforce development. Confident interpreting major fiscal events and government announcements, you will translate national developments into compelling place-based implications and opportunities.
Analytical and intellectually curious, you will combine quantitative and qualitative evidence to demonstrate impact, lead horizon scanning and futures analysis, and produce high-quality insight and briefings at pace. You will communicate with clarity and influence, tailoring concise policy products and strategic narratives for senior audiences.
A natural relationship-builder, you will inspire confidence across government, business, education, academia and the wider system. You can lead complex cross-departmental projects from concept to implementation, organise competing priorities and exercise sound judgement in ambiguous or politically sensitive situations. Strong digital capability, including confident use of Microsoft Office, will support your delivery.
Above all, you will be proactive, resilient and values-led, with a genuine commitment to public value, inclusive growth and better outcomes for residents and communities. You will champion partnership working, equality and diversity, continuous improvement, integrity, transparency and the highest professional standards.
So, if you... would like to play a pivotal leadership role as we enter a new era of devolution, skills and inclusion, we would welcome your application.
We are proud to be an inclusive employer, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, communities and experiences. We support flexible working and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented including women, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people and those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.
If you have any questions regarding this role, please reach out to Reshma Begum, Head of Skills, Policy and Insight, Reshma.Begum@northeast-ca.gov.uk.
It is anticipated that interviews will take place Wednesday 9th December 2026.
Closing date for applications: Thursday 12th November 2026 at 23:59.
For further information about the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority please visit our website www.northeast-ca.gov.uk.
This recruitment is being administered by Durham County Council on behalf of the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority.
Attachments
Salary range
- £62,163 - £65,818 per year