Job Description
Lantra is seeking to appoint a Director of Policy, Research & External Relations to engage with policy makers, government, industry and the wider land-based sectors to produce, communicate and promote evidence-based research that influences policy and supports the land-based and environmental industries.
Lantra is the leading awarding body in the UK and the Republic of Ireland in the land-based and environment sectors, developing quality training courses and nationally recognised qualifications that are delivered through a national network of accredited training providers.
Key Responsibilities:
The Director of Policy, Research & External Relations (DPRE) will be responsible for leading Lantra’s engagement with industry, government and other relevant UK policy stakeholders, representing the interests of the land-based industries and influencing policy, whilst ensuring that the necessary strategy is in place to achieve Lantra’s long term vision. They will:
* Gain industry support for research and for Lantra as a spokesperson to UK government and to policymakers at national, local and industry levels
* Identify, verify and/or quantify skills issues identified through research and labour market intelligence capability to identify skills needs, gaps and validated opportunities.
* Use evidence to engage UK government and policymakers at national, local and industry levels, and advocate changes and solutions to address workforce issues.
* Define and lead the execution of Lantra’s communications and external relations to ensure consistent messaging and increase awareness of Lantra Awards and ‘Investing in Skills’ activities.
* Alongside the CEO, position Lantra with UK government and other stakeholders, as a respected authority on skills issues in the sectors Lantra is operating in; able to offer evidence-based solutions and to be a trusted partner in their delivery.
About You:
We are looking for a leader who will inspire a dedicated team, bringing passion and guidance to identify key issues, develop creative solutions and successfully promote these to stakeholders.
Lantra has a market-leading reputation and is seeking to become a thought leader and champion to the land-based and environmental industries and its people. The organisation is seeking to represent and support the UK community and its future generation of learners. The Director of Policy, Research & External Relations will be:
* An excellence communicator, able to effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
* A person of initiative, with a demonstrable ability to identify key issues, develop creative solutions and successfully promote them externally
* A strong team player with emotional intelligence to support and constructively challenge colleagues as part of the Lantra community.
* A demonstrable leader, effective at building successful teams, able to inspire, motivate and communicate at all levels to provide united direction and cohesive leadership.
* An outgoing, proven capacity for networking, able to build and develop effective professional relationships with key industry players and policymakers
Essential Experience:
* Experience of designing and delivering effective research ideally in the area of education and skills policy
* Evidence of effective engagement with government and policymakers, understanding of policymaking structures and processes and how to influence them
* Experience of working with print/broadcast/social media, including developing/implementing social media strategies
* Evidence of presenting and communicating research, policy and positioning statement
Location: Lantra HQ is based in Warwickshire. Hybrid-working is available
Lantra has engaged the services of The McLean Partnership, to whom applications should be sent by midday, Friday 27th June 2025
More information and a candidate prospectus can be found at our dedicated website
For a confidential conversation about the opportunity, please contact Caius Freeman on +44 (0) 7517 950 934, Paul Soothill on +44 (0)7775 598 446 or email lantra@mcleanpartnership.com