Strategy & Policy Lead - #2095559

Location: Hybrid, Bradford (occasional office presence)
Salary: £58,530 per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday – Friday, 8am – 6pm
Contract: Fixed Term Contract, 12 months

With over 21,000 homes across the country, we support thousands of customers and their families. We're proud to build positive, long-lasting relationships that go beyond housing – creating vibrant communities where people of all backgrounds can thrive.

As our Strategy and Policy Lead, you'll have a unique opportunity to shape the future of Accent. Working closely with the Director of Strategy, Governance and Assurance, you'll be at the heart of developing and delivering strategic plans, coordinating impactful ESG initiatives, and championing continuous improvement.

This is a role where your ideas, insight, and leadership will directly influence how we grow and evolve.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead the development and review of forward-thinking, evidence-based policies aligned with legal and regulatory requirements
• Partner with senior leaders to ensure policies are understood, embedded, and making a tangible difference
• Bring data and insight to the forefront, ensuring decision-making is informed, robust, and future-focused
• Drive consistency, clarity, and excellence in how policies are applied across Accent
• Lead and develop a small team, providing clear direction, coaching, and support to deliver high-quality outcomes
• Lead horizon scanning and in-depth research to anticipate legislative and regulatory changes, keeping our strategies relevant and ready for the future

About You

• Proven experience developing and implementing strategy and policy, with the ability to turn ideas into practical outcomes
• A strong understanding of ESG principles and their application in an organisational context
• Knowledge of housing legislation and sector best practice, with the ability to apply this meaningfully
• Well-developed project management skills, with a track record of delivering priorities effectively
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, including the confidence to advise senior leaders
• Strong critical thinking and analytical ability, using data and insight to drive informed decision-making
• Experience producing clear, impactful reports and briefings for senior leadership teams

The successful candidate will be required to undergo DBS and social media checks as part of pre-employment screening.

Salary
The spot salary is £58,530 per annum for applicants who fully meet the requirements. If you're still developing some skills or experience, you can start at 5% or 10% below the spot rate, with clear support and progression opportunities to reach the full amount.

Interviews
Stage 1 – A Teams interview with the hiring manager. You'll learn more about the role and team, and we'll get to know you – your experience, goals, and what you bring. Planned date: 16th July.

Stage 2 – A presentation and behavioural and scenario-based interview at our Bradford office. You'll complete a Congruity Questionnaire in advance. Planned date: 21st July.

A Place to Build a Future

• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays, an extra day for your birthday, and the option to buy more
• Cash health plan, Health MOTs, online GP access, gym discounts, and a volunteering day
• Car leasing, salary sacrifice schemes, and exclusive discounts through our benefits platform
• Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit pension schemes plus life assurance at three times your salary
• Enhanced parental leave and flexible working options
• Career development through our Leadership Academy, apprenticeships, Stepping into Management training, and more

We're Committed to Inclusion
We believe diversity makes us stronger. Our process is designed to be accessible and inclusive – if you need any reasonable adjustments at any stage, just let us know.

Candidates must have current eligibility to live and work in the UK. Accent does not currently hold a sponsorship licence.

Recruitment Agencies: We work exclusively with PSL partners and do not accept unsolicited CVs or speculative approaches for this role.

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