Policy Officer

Ongoing (we close ongoing adverts once sufficient applications are received)

£27,000 per annum

Permanent, full-time (35 hours per week)

Chesterfield, Derby, Nottingham or Leicester with agile working. Additional travel may be required between offices and other businesses/events

scroll down to read full details and instructions on how to apply

Overview Why the post exists

Are you motivated and curious? Do you have an interest in developing and communicating policy positions? Can you keep yourself informed, and take an evidence-based approach to your work? If so, you could be our next Policy Officer.

At a time of significant political, economic, and structural change (including devolution arrangements, the evolving funding landscape and shifting policy priorities), this newly created role will help strengthen the Chamber's ability to represent and influence on behalf of our regions business community.

You will directly contribute to policy development, campaigns and lobbying activity utilising collated evidence, robust insights and reflecting real experiences from members. It is vital that the voice of business is heard clearly and constructively by decision-makers.

Play a part in helping the Chamber remain agile, informed and impactful - contributing to our wider mission of enhancing the region's economic resilience, sustainability and inclusive growth.

This exciting opportunity is open to recent graduates and people who are passionate about public policy, research and helping shape the business environment across our region.

We are committed to developing public affairs and policy talent to build capacity for shaping the business environment not just reactively, but proactively and therefore ensuring the East Midlands remains a great place to live, work, and do business.

Key areas of responsibility

Policy research and analysis:

• Conduct research and analysis across a range of policy areas relevant to the East Midlands business community
• Produce regular reports on topical issues, drawing on local and national data sources
• Monitor and respond to Government publications, including consultations, White Papers, legislation, and official reports
• Provide evidence-based insight to inform the Chamber's lobbying, campaigns, and public positioning.

Stakeholder engagement and influence:

• Build and maintain effective relationships with decision-makers, members, partners, and stakeholders across sectors
• Support MP engagement through meetings, briefing notes, correspondence, and collaboration with parliamentary offices
• Represent the Chamber at external meetings, task forces, working groups, and events, including delivering presentations where appropriate.

Communication and advocacy:

• Prepare clear, concise, and influential content including reports, consultation responses, briefings, articles, letters, and web pages
• Contribute to the development and review of the Chamber's policy "asks" of Government, ensuring they remain current and impactful
• Raise awareness of key policy issues affecting members and stakeholders through accessible and engaging communications.

Business development and support:

• Produce and interpret research to support Chamber projects, including tender responses and business development opportunities
• Collaborate with colleagues across the organisation to ensure policy insight informs wider Chamber activity and member support.

For more information please click here to view the job description and person specification.

Applicants will possess

You will need a genuine interest in public policy, business, and economic issues, ideally with some experience gained through studies, internships, or volunteering involving research, writing, or analysis.

You must be confident interpreting and presenting findings, working collaboratively and producing clear written content. Being able to drive in the UK for business purposes with access to your own vehicle and a willingness to travel in the region is important

Knowledge of the East Midlands business landscape, political structures, and the role of Chambers of Commerce is preferable but not essential.

What matters to us is your curiosity, motivation, evidence-driven approach and willingness/ability to learn how policy decisions shape the world around us.

What you can expect in return

25 days holiday plus bank holidays each year (pro rata for part time)

8% employer contribution to pension scheme (non-contributory for employee)

Wellbeing support including access to Westfield Health plan, Mental Health First Aiders, self help toolkits, discounts and more

Your Birthday off plus an extra day of leave after 5 and 10 years' service

Life assurance (death in service support scheme) for your beneficiaries

Dress for the day policy and agile working practices (role dependent)

Two CSR days to take per year (volunteering activity)

Access to tax-free childcare and Bike2Work schemes

Special leave for bereavement, compassionate leave & dependent related time off

Learning and development opportunities

Flexibility to take unpaid leave, paid study leave & special leave for territorial army

Recognition and engagement schemes

Tax free 45p per business mile for cars (up to 10,000 miles per year)

Employee social events

Company Overview

About us

East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire) is a well-respected and award winning membership, representation and business support organisation that aims to enhance businesses and communities in the three cities and three counties. With more than 4,100 members and working with 12,000 businesses each year, we have established a reputation as the voice of the region's business community.

Our accreditations and awards How to apply

Found a great role? It's easy to work for us. Simply follow the three steps below. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

Complete our equality, diversity and inclusivity (EDI) monitoring formhere . You can learn about why we collect this information and how it is utilised in the form introduction.

Send your CV and a covering letter detailing why you believe that you will add value to the role and the Chamber to with the subject line as the vacancy reference, 17EMC.

Alternatively, post your application to: FAO HR department, East Midlands Chamber, Commerce House, Millennium Way, Dunston Road, Chesterfield, S41 8ND

Applications that do not include both a CV and covering letter will not be considered.

If you're successful at this stage, you will be invited for an interview. If you're unsuccessful, the Chamber's HR team will let you know by email.

East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) is an equal opportunities employer and Disability Confident Leader.

All suitably qualified people are encouraged to apply for vacancies regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. Applicants require current eligibility to live and work in the UK, they must also disclose any unspent convictions or cautions and company director disqualifications in their covering letter. Please inform of any reasonable adjustments needed during the recruitment process. The business is dedicated to retaining talent and therefore it may decide to prioritise and support internal applicants. For information about how we process your data click here .