Senior Policy Manager – Trade & Regulation

Make UK; City of London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading trade body in the UK is seeking a Senior Policy Manager to lead policy work on trade and regulation, ensuring manufacturers' voices are heard at the highest levels of government. The ideal candidate will have extensive trade-related policy experience and excellent stakeholder management skills. This full-time role offers a hybrid work environment and competitive salary, with additional benefits including flexibility and health cover.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible hours

Health cover

Matched pension contributions up to 8%

Life assurance

Qualifications

• Proven experience in trade-related policy role.
• Track record of influencing policy outcomes.
• Ability to deliver complex policy projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead policy work on trade and regulation.
• Produce high-impact policy papers and consultation responses.
• Represent Make UK in the media and before policymakers.

Skills

Trade-related policy experience

Knowledge of the UK policy-making process

Stakeholder management skills

Strong written and verbal communication

Adaptability in a fast-paced environment

Team player mentality

Job description

Location London

Job Type Make UK

Permanent

Westminster, London (Hybrid)

Full Time

Competitive salaries and excellent benefits including up to one day’s paid leave each year to undertake volunteering opportunities

Make UK is the leading trade body representing the UK’s manufacturing and engineering sector. Together, we champion over 20,000 businesses – from innovative start‑ups to world‑leading multinationals across manufacturing, engineering, technology, and the wider industrial economy.

Our mission is simple: to help British manufacturers compete, innovate, and grow. Through expert advice, essential services, and influential advocacy, we enable businesses to stay safe, compliant, and future‑focused.

Responsibilities

About the Role

As Senior Policy Manager you’ll lead Make UK’s policy work on trade and regulation, driving impactful projects that influence the UK’s industrial and trade policy agenda. Working closely with the Director of International Trade and Business and the wider Policy and Government Affairs teams, you’ll ensure that manufacturers’ voices are heard at the highest levels of government and across the public sphere.

You’ll manage our Trade & Regulation Policy Committee, deliver high‑quality research and consultation responses, and represent Make UK in the media, at public events, and in front of policymakers. This is a key role for a confident communicator with deep policy expertise and a passion for supporting UK manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver Make UK’s policy work on trade and regulation, ensuring projects align with our strategic lobbying priorities.
• Produce high‑impact policy papers, consultation responses, and thought leadership reports.
• Manage Make UK’s Trade & Regulation Policy Committee and support the new International Trade Policy Committee.
• Conduct proactive horizon scanning to identify emerging issues and opportunities within the trade and regulation landscape.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government departments, policymakers, and other key stakeholders.
• Represent Make UK externally – in the media, at industry events, and before parliamentary committees.
• Work collaboratively across Make UK to ensure member insight and evidence underpin all policy activity.
• Identify and manage research projects to support Make UK’s wider policy and public affairs goals.

Requirements

About You

A strategic policy professional with the credibility and confidence to represent UK manufacturing at a senior level. You combine deep understanding of the UK policy process with the ability to deliver tangible outcomes under pressure.

Essential Experience and Skills

• Proven experience in a trade‑related policy role.
• Strong knowledge of the UK policy‑making process, with a track record of influencing outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to design, manage, and deliver complex policy projects.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with experience engaging government officials and industry leaders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including media and public speaking experience.
• Proactive, adaptable, and able to thrive in a fast‑paced policy environment.
• Team player with strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach.

With over 125 years of experience, Make UK is a leading provider of essential business support and a champion for manufacturing industry in the UK. Make UK has the close ear of Government and is a trusted provider of essential services for world leading manufacturing companies across the country. Everything we do is designed to inspire British manufacturers to compete, innovate and grow.

Make UK staff enjoy a good benefits package and values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Benefits to include, but not limited to: no bank holiday/weekend work, flexible hours, health cover, matched pension contributions up to 8%, and life assurance.

We are committed to supporting the Armed Forces Community and we recognise the contribution that Service personnel, both regular and reservist, veterans and military families make to our organisation and have pledged to support this by signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant.

Our Values at Make UK: Inclusivity & Diversity, Integrity, Innovation, & Collaboration

Apply If this position interests you, and you would like to learn more or explore other available jobs that could also match your skill set, please apply today or email [e-mail]

Make UK

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Bio

Make UK is a leading advocate for UK manufacturers, championing growth, innovation, and resilience in the sector. With a history spanning over 130 years, the organisation has supported businesses of all sizes, from ambitious start‑ups to global industry leaders. Through campaigning, sector expertise, and a comprehensive range of business services, Make UK helps manufacturers navigate challenges and seize opportunities. Its extensive network fosters collaboration across regional and national communities, enabling businesses to share knowledge and drive industry progress. Make UK provides deep expertise in critical areas such as skills development, policy advocacy, and compliance. Its renowned apprenticeship training programs equip the next generation with the skills needed to support the sector’s future. Committed to shaping the landscape of UK manufacturing, Make UK continues to influence policy, support innovation, and empower businesses to thrive in an evolving industrial environment.