Head of Policy (Fashion and Textiles)

The opportunity

This is a brand-new role within UAL’s expanding policy and advocacy team. This is an exciting opportunity to work with the Associate Director, Policy and Advocacy and experts across UAL to shape the direction of UAL’s policy and public affairs strategy in the fashion and textiles space.

The growing Policy and Advocacy team at the University has ambitions to position UAL as the leading institution on creative arts and design education policy, as well as a thought leader on issues affecting the creative industries more broadly.

You will be working with experts throughout UAL who are already actively engaged with public policy as well as building and maintaining partnerships with political stakeholders and decision-makers at local to international levels.

You will build on and develop UAL as a leading voice on the issues of importance around fashion and textiles policy, as well as the creative sector more broadly, making and evidencing the case for why the world needs creativity. You will play an instrumental role in fine tuning the way in which we communicate our vision to policy makers at all levels, as well as to leading experts and opinion formers.

You will work closely with other Heads of Policy in the expanding Policy and Advocacy Team as well as leading and supporting departments around UAL in delivering integrated campaigns which represent and promote the university. 

The post sits within the University’s recently formed Social Purpose Group. The group brings together communications, the new Social Purpose Lab, fundraising and UAL’s recently launched Storytelling Institute. Together, the group will enable UAL to change and shape the world for the better. 

About you

Your profile will include:

• Excellent understanding of the UK political system and public policy environment in related fields. Close interest and understanding of fashion and textiles industry and policy, as well as understanding of higher education and the creative economy.
• Excellent political judgement, including issues management. 
• Experience in public policy campaigns and institutional strategy, probably gained in-house ideally in fashion and textiles. 
• Experience of supporting senior decision-makers, including generating high-quality responses to government consultations, reports and designing successful meetings.
• Excellent influencer, with demonstrable ability to build a broad national and local network in related policy fields.

If you have any queries about this role or need any reasonable adjustments for your application, please contact Zele Akhilele, Resourcing Adviser via email at Socialpurposestaffrecruitment@arts.ac.uk.

We are UAL

For the fifth year running, University of the Arts London is the world’s second University for Art and Design in the QS World University Rankings® 2023. Our diverse and talented community comprises over 5,000 academic, professional, and technical staff. Together we are committed to social purpose. This includes creating a better a more sustainable world and championing race equality. 

We offer highly creative working environments that inspire staff across all areas to fulfil their potential and continuous training to further develop their skills and expertise. We also offer hybrid and flexible working practices, and excellent staff benefits to improve your work life balance. 

Our culture

UAL is committed to creating diverse and inclusive environments for all staff and students to work and learn – a university where we can be ourselves and reach our full potential. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and Staff Support Networks. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, including race, disability, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion and belief, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, and caring responsibility.

Apply

Candidates are advised to submit applications early.

View all jobs