Location: UK-wide with regular travel across England and Wales
Contract type: Permanent
Salary: £65,000–£70,000
Welcome
Thank you for your interest in joining Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network as our next Director of Policy and Research. This is a senior leadership role at the heart of Belong’s mission to shape national conversations on cohesion and integration. We are looking for a strategic leader who is passionate about building a more united and less divided society and wants to make a lasting difference to communities.
As Belong enters its next phase of growth, we are determined to deepen our impact, strengthen our resilience, and champion cohesion and integration at scale. With a strengthened national profile, a bold strategy for the years ahead, and an ambitious Senior Leadership Team, this is an extraordinary time to join us.
As Director of Policy and Research, you will lead Belong’s policy development, research strategy, and national partnerships that influence change. You will ensure our work is grounded in robust evidence and lived experience, while amplifying Belong’s voice with policymakers and opinion formers. We are seeking a strategic and insightful leader with deep expertise in policy development and research, who is confident in leading teams, developing evidence-based recommendations and influencing public discourse. You will bring intellectual curiosity, political awareness, a commitment to equity and inclusion and have excellent communication skills – being able to translate complex ideas into accessible messages and build trusted relationships across sectors.
If you thrive in a collaborative leadership role and want to drive systemic change, we would love to hear from you.
Kelly Fowler
Chief Executive Officer, Belong
About Belong
Belong is the UK’s leading not-for-profit network focused on social cohesion. Established in 2019, Belong works across sectors to build a more connected, less divided society by strengthening trust, belonging and resilience in communities.
Belong connects people, places and organisations across the UK to share learning and best practice on cohesion and integration. Working with local and national partners, we build capacity to lead and deliver change, and amplify what works through research, policy and a strong collective voice. Belong’s growing membership spans local authorities, charities, civil society and business.
Belong Delivers:
Place-based cohesion and intercultural work with local authorities, communities and partners
Research and policy to build the evidence base and influence national change
Training, consultancy and leadership development
Knowledge sharing, networks, learning events and thought leadership
Belong is collaborative, evidence-led and learning-driven, celebrating the benefits of diversity and operating within an equalities framework. Belong is independent, professional, transparent and committed to convening bold conversations to move beyond differences, strengthen social bonds and build common ground.
About the Role and You
We are seeking a strategic and insightful leader with:
Proven experience in policy development and research leadership
Experience working in or with government, think tanks or advocacy organisations
Strong understanding of social policy and influencing processes
Knowledge of cohesion, integration and community relations
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Experience in media engagement and public speaking
Ability to translate complex research into accessible policy messages
Familiarity with participatory and applied research methods
Strong strategic thinking and planning abilities
Relevant qualification in public policy, social research or related field
Experience in managing teams and budgets
Experience in fundraising and proposal development
Personal Qualities:
Passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK
Strategic and visionary thinker
Collaborative and inclusive leader
Politically astute and intellectually curious
Practical, focused and reliable
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Policy & Research Leadership
Lead the development of Belong’s policy and research agenda, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy
Produce high-quality policy outputs including reports, briefings, consultation responses and thought leadership pieces
Ensure Belong’s research is rigorous, inclusive and informed by lived experience
Oversee the design and delivery of research projects, including commissioning and partnership work
Translate research findings into actionable policy recommendations and advocacy strategies
Foster strong collaboration between Programme Delivery and Policy & Research teams
Influencing & Communications
Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, parliamentarians, journalists and opinion formers
Represent Belong externally at high-level meetings, events and in the media
Develop strategic messaging and narratives that amplify Belong’s impact
Collaborate with communications team to inform public affairs strategy
Support campaigns and public engagement initiatives that promote Belong’s policy goals
Organisational Development
Contribute to Belong’s strategic planning and senior leadership decision-making
Line manage policy and research staff, providing support and development
Collaborate with Director of Programmes to ensure alignment between delivery and influencing work
Support income generation through proposal development and funder engagement
Uphold Belong’s values and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
Our Team Benefits
At Belong, our team is united by a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and connected society. We bring together a diverse group of professionals with backgrounds in research, community engagement, communications, facilitation and policy.
Benefits include:
30 days’ annual leave per year
3% pension contribution
Hybrid working (typical pattern of 3 days in the office)
Enhanced Sick Pay
Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay
To Apply
Deadline: 23:59, Monday 12 January 2026
First interviews: 29 & 30 January (online)
Second interviews: 12 February (in-person)
To apply, please submit your CV and a Word document answering the following questions (max 400 words per answer) to recruitment@belongnetwork.co.uk with the subject line: Application to the role of Director of Policy & Research:
Why are you interested in applying and how do you feel your personal values align with our mission?
What are the key achievements and outcomes within your career that make you a strong candidate for the role?
How does your leadership style support others in their growth and create a positive environment for empowerment?
If you have any questions or would like to arrange an informal discussion, contact: recruitment@belongnetwork.co.uk
