Head of Policy and Public
Affairs
About us
Teach First is a charity that understands that for a child growing up in poverty, all too often their future is already written. We know that education can flip the script. We find and train teachers to work in the schools that need them most, we equip school leaders with evidence-led training, we support local teacher training providers, and we plug education leaders into supportive professional networks. We’re at the centre of a movement, rewriting the future within the classroom and beyond, ensuring every child, no matter their background, gets the opportunities they need to thrive
About the team
This role sits within the Policy and Public Affairs team, which manages relationships with political stakeholders and their influencers. The team leads the development of Teach First’s policy and advocacy priorities, drawing on insights from our ambassador community and oversees the influencing strategy to deliver policy change.
The Policy and Public Affairs team work closely alongside the Media and Campaigns team to raise awareness of the key issues around educational inequality. Both these teams sit within the People and Governance directorate who support our people and ensure strong, values led governance across Teach First. By bringing together these functions, we help create a positive working environment and ensure the charity operates responsibly, effectively, and in line with its mission. Together, we work with government and key partners to drive change within and beyond the classroom, helping to advance our mission to end educational inequality.
About the role
This is a fixed‑term, 12‑month parental leave cover position that combines leadership of two functions:
• Head of Policy and Public Affairs (full 12‑month cover)
• Head of Media and Campaigns (6‑month cover, until January 2027)
As Head of Policy and Public Affairs you will help integrate the strategy across government relations, policy development, and public advocacy. You will operate at the highest levels of government and the education system to influence policy, shape public debate, and secure support for Teach First’s work and mission. Working closely with senior leadership, you will ensure Teach First is a leading and authoritative voice on educational disadvantage driving policy change, strengthening our reputation, and enabling the organisation to grow its impact through government partnerships and contracts.
For the first six months of the contract (until January 2027), you will also provide parental leave cover for the Head of Media and Campaigns, overseeing media strategy, campaigns activity and external communications. This temporary additional responsibility will be recognised through an additional allowance, which will end when the substantive postholder returns.
This is a unique opportunity to sit at the intersection of two teams that drive Teach First’s external voice. You will combine the strategic depth of policy and public affairs with the reach and creativity of media and campaigns, ensuring our insights, evidence, and mission are communicated with clarity and influence.
In this role you will:
Own and lead Teach First’s public affairs, influencing and advocacy strategy, shaping political and sector debate on educational disadvantage and building the external mandate for policy change.
Lead a high performing policy and public affairs team, setting strategic direction and implementing initiatives that achieve results, setting and meeting ambitious KPIs that advance Teach First’s mission and influence key stakeholders.
Develop and execute targeted public affairs plans to influence policy makers and build relationships with government officials, including ministers, advisors, and civil servants.
• Lead the development of policy proposals that address educational inequality and influence education policy.
• Build and maintain senior, high-trust relationships across government, arm’s-length bodies, think tanks and the wider education sector.
Manage a team to write public affairs plans, key messaging, briefings on policy and political issues, briefings for senior colleagues attending meetings, letters, blogs, social media posts and policy documents.
• Develop and deliver plans to engage our community of teachers in policy influencing.
• Manage crisis communications, providing expert counsel to senior colleagues during reputational challenges relating to government relations
Provide expert strategic advice and guidance on new potential contracts and additional funding opportunities for the charity, alongside mitigating potential risks for Teach First.
Securing policy and funding outcomes that advance Teach First’s mission by influencing decision-makers and building strong relationships with government officials and political influencers.
• Leading and developing an ambitious public affairs and policy team, anticipating and managing political and reputational risk at an organisational level.
Additional Responsibilities (temporary, up to six months):
• Spearhead media campaigns, working with cross-functional teams to grow Teach First’s reputation, promote our policy positions and reach new audiences.
• Lead the media team to ensure teachers’ voices and the realities of educational disadvantage are effectively communicated through strategic media engagement.
• Set and deliver ambitious media targets, achieving cut-through across a range of outlets to engage new audiences.
Lead the media function to protect and promote Teach First’s reputation, including managing crisis communications and advising senior colleagues during reputational challenges.
• Provide expert media advice and counsel to senior leaders, including the CEO and Executive Team.
• Manage the Media Manager, supporting them to run an effective press office and develop compelling stories that influence key audiences.
You will report into:
• Executive Director of People & Governance
You will line manage:
• Public Affairs Officers
• Policy Officer
• Media Manager (until January)
You will work closely with:
• Public Affairs and Policy team
• Media & Campaigns team
• Political stakeholders, their influencers, and key external stakeholders
• Trainee teachers, ambassadors and school leaders
• Teach First Ambassadors in policy roles
About you
To be successful in this role you will be able to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and experience.
In this role you will:
• Be an experienced leader with a strong track record of delivering public affairs and policy strategies that drive meaningful change.
Demonstrate outstanding political instincts and communication skills, with the ability to provide strategic counsel at the highest levels.
• Lead teams and manage cross-functional campaigns, driving ambitious goals in fastpaced environments.
• Analyse policy and political landscapes expertly, applying sharp analytical skills and a deep understanding of the education sector.
• Manage projects effectively, keeping stakeholders engaged and informed throughout fast-paced initiatives.
• Communicate complex information clearly and succinctly, using strong analytical insight.
• Deliver campaigns that resonate across diverse audiences.
Champion diversity and inclusion, with a proven commitment and demonstrated contributions in this area.
At Teach First, we’re committed to building a diverse, high‑performing team. We particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented groups; and whose socioeconomic background reflects that of the pupils we work with.
If you’re excited about this role but don’t tick every box, we still encourage you to apply. You may be exactly what we’re looking for — for this role or another.
Working for us
At Teach First, we want you to thrive because when you’re at your best, our mission moves forward. We offer pay, benefits and flexibility that support your wellbeing, and in return we ask you to bring your energy, commitment and passion to helping every child reach their potential. Find out more
Our culture: We live by our values. They underpin our culture and identity. And inform everything we do.
• Purpose: Ending educational disadvantage guides us - We stay focused on our mission and strive to get better every day.
Community: We are a movement for change - Together we are stronger, we support and learn from one another, working with and through the diverse communities we serve.
• Bravery: Change requires courage - We take bold risks and aren’t afraid to try, fail and learn in pursuit of our vision.
• Innovation: We will succeed through new ideas - We are restless for impact and creative with our solutions.
Diversity and inclusion: We want to be a place where everyone can perform, learn and contribute with the confidence to be themselves. We are passionate about building a work force that reflects the community we serve, and our employees are expected to contribute to advancing diversity and inclusion within the charity. Find out more
Safeguarding: Safeguarding children is at the heart of our work and a non‑negotiable part of every role at Teach First. All colleagues must complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before starting. We follow safer recruitment practices and expect our employees to share our commitment to keeping children safe.
Agile working: Our agile way of working gives you flexibility. Need to start late or finish early? Our Agile Working policy focuses on outcomes, not presenteeism. Find out more
Flexible Working: We are happy to consider flexible work patterns for our roles where they align with the needs of the charity. So, if you want to discuss a set and regular working pattern, let us know in your application. Find out more