Job description:

Kick It Out, football’s leading equality and inclusion organisation, is looking for a Policy & Advocacy Lead to take charge of shaping and driving our policy agenda. This role blends high-impact policy development, research direction, and strategic communications to influence change across football and wider society. You will lead and shape our policy priorities, oversee the design and delivery of rigorous, community-rooted research, and ensure our findings are communicated powerfully to decision-makers. At the core of your work will be amplifying the voices and lived experiences of our beneficiaries to drive lasting, systemic change in football and beyond.

Role:                            Policy & Advocacy Lead 

Salary:                        £46.3K-50K

Location:                    Home-based

Part-time/Full-time:   Full Time

What we’re looking for:

• Commitment to equality and inclusion and the aims and values of Kick It Out. 
• Strong understanding of the current EDI landscape, the Equality Act, and wider debates on social justice, inclusion, sport, and education, with insight into how these shape policy development and implementation.
• Demonstrable experience in a policy, public affairs, research, or advocacy role within the charity, public, or think tank sector.
• Familiarity with parliamentary and government processes relevant to sport, education, or equality.
• Experience influencing or contributing to consultations, policy campaigns, or research, with a proven track record of developing evidence-based policy recommendations.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience producing clear, persuasive briefings, contributing to public messaging, and supporting advocacy campaigns.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to critically analyse research, interpret data, and present complex ideas confidently and clearly.
• Excellent relationship builder, with experience engaging and developing strong relationships with stakeholders across multiple sectors.
• Strong organisational skills, proactive approach, and ability to manage competing priorities in a small team.

Benefits 

• Fully Remote Working: Enjoy the flexibility of working remotely. While we don’t have a physical office, we organise in-person “away days” for team-building and collaboration. 
• Annual Leave: Enjoy 25 days of annual leave alongside bank holidays.  
• Additional Leave: Enjoy 2 extra days off during the Christmas season and a day off for your Birthday. Your leave allowance also increases with years of service.  
• Group Income Protection: Financial security in case of illness or disability.  
• Group Life Insurance: Peace of mind with life insurance coverage for you and your loved ones.  
• Medical and Wellbeing Benefits: Comprehensive support from day one, including a nutrition and fitness program, digital GP service, and mental health services.  
• Private Health Insurance: Optional access to our private healthcare plan.  
• Pension Contribution: A 5% pension contribution to help secure your financial future. 
• Inclusive Parental Leave: Supportive parental leave policies to help you balance work and family life. 

Equal Opportunities Statement 

Kick It Out is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion extends to every aspect of our work, from our hiring practices to our everyday interactions and wider mission. If you're hesitant to apply because you don’t meet every single job requirement, please know that we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. We value diverse experiences and skills, and we believe that potential can often outweigh specific requirements.  If you require additional support, reasonable adjustments or have any questions about the recruitment process, please reach out to our People Team on [email protected] . 

We wish you the best of luck in the application process and look forward to the possibility of welcoming you to our team.  

All of our roles are fully remote but require travel for monthly away days, relevant events, and meetings, mainly in London but sometimes elsewhere in the UK. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.