Policy and Advocacy Manager

Policy & Advocacy Manager - Plastics

Hybrid
Belgium or UK​

The Foundation is now focused on implementing the ‘2030 Plastic Agenda’ and translating the learnings from the ‘New Plastics Economy Global Commitment’ into concrete action. As part of this phase, this role offers the opportunity to contribute to high-impact policy processes at a pivotal moment for global plastics governance. You will play a hands-on role in shaping these processes, helping to steer the global plastic value chain towards a circular economy, and supporting the transition from industry voluntary commitments to wider collaboration and system-wide policy action.

You will work within the Plastic Policy Team, reporting to the Plastic Policy Lead. You will work closely with a wide range of stakeholders and leading organisations globally to advance the circular economy and contribute to a future free from plastic waste and pollution.

Engagement with governments, institutions, and businesses will be central to the role. This includes identifying needs and opportunities arising from plastic policy and legislative developments, supporting partnerships and engagement activities, and building and strengthening relationships with key partners. Collecting insights, gathering feedback, and developing briefings and policy positions will form a core part of the day-to-day work.

Given the scale and complexity of the transformation required across the global plastic value chain, you will need to be proactive and collaborative, able to work confidently across diverse stakeholders and contribute meaningfully to long-term system change.

Our commitment to you​

We are keen to receive applications from people from underrepresented backgrounds, including (but not limited to) those of colour, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, and people from other marginalised groups. It is important to us that our recruitment approach makes the opportunity as accessible as possible and ensures a diverse range of people can demonstrate their potential. We would be happy to provide any further support that you may require - please get in touch so that we can work together.

If you would like further information on our diversity and inclusion policy or any further assistance, please contact us at recruitment@ellenmacarthurfoundation.org.

Role and Responsibilities

• Keep abreast of key policy and legislative developments, identify research & policy analysis needs as well as opportunities for collaboration and intervention globally, with specific international institutions, and where relevant in targeted countries/regions (including EU, China, LatAm, Southeast Asia).

• Lead strategic engagement with key governments across multiple platforms and explore new engagement opportunities (e.g. in context of EU Institutions, UN Plastics Treaty, G7, G20, GACERE, Circular Economy Coalitions, etc ), on key topics (e.g. Extended Producer Responsibility, product design, reuse, recycled content, etc)

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key stakeholders, including leading thought leaders and practitioners in plastic-related policy, fostering dialogue with research organisations, consultancies, and policy think tanks to inform and advance a transformative global circular economy agenda, strengthen the Foundation’s knowledge base, and enable closer collaboration, including joint publications where relevant

• Contribute to fostering dialogue between public and private sector stakeholders in the context of our Business - Policy engagement work (e.g. Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty).

• Represent the Foundation and share the Foundation’s insights by attending and speaking at external events and participating in external meetings, drawing on experts within the Foundation teams as needed.

You will report directly to the Plastic Policy Lead, with regular exchanges with both the Plastic Mission and Policy & Institution Team.

Your Profile

• Relevant work experience - At least 7 years’ of relevant work experience working with or in institutions, businesses, circular economy thought leaders, consultancies and/or NGOs.

• Institutional knowledge: Strong understanding of the policy landscape and international frameworks, including how these frameworks shape global value chains and market issues in particular for plastic packaging. Experience engaging with institutions or stakeholders in the Global South is particularly valued.

• Experience working with industry and businesses, with demonstrated expertise in policy analysis, advocacy, or regulatory affairs related to the circular economy and associated legislative processes.

• Stakeholder engagement: Evidence of engaging and maintaining constructive relationships with stakeholders across businesses, NGOs, and government institutions.

• Research and analysis: Experience in research and policy development, with strong analytical skills to synthesize complex information.

• Communication: Strong public speaking and excellent communication and writing skills, and ability to facilitate multi-stakeholder discussions. Fluency in English is required; additional UN languages are a plus.

Transferable skills welcome. We welcome applicants from adjacent policy domains or adjacent sector domains, who bring strong stakeholder engagement, policy analysis, and delivery skills. If you meet most of the requirements and can show how your experience translates, we encourage you to apply.

Why Join the Ellen MacArthur Foundation?

• Mission-Driven Work: Be part of an organisation working on some of the most pressing challenges of our time: circular economy and systemic change.

• Collaborative Culture: Work in a dynamic, diverse, and collaborative environment where every team member is valued and empowered to contribute.

• Growth and Impact: Play a key role in shaping an organisation that is influencing global systems and driving positive environmental change

•   Work-Life Balance: We believe in creating a healthy, balanced work environment. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation offers flexible working options to support the well-being of our employees.

Apply by clicking the green icon where you will be asked to upload a CV and covering letter.

Desired starting date: as soon as possible.

Closing date: 6th February 2026.

Salary package: circa £59,960 (UK) or €82,992 (Belgium) depending on experience level plus generous holiday allowance, 25 days plus UK Bank Holidays plus discretionary organisational extra days leave at Christmas and Easter, generous parental leave; enhanced pension options/private health scheme after 6 months; wellbeing programme. If Belgium based, generous holiday allowance and a full range of benefits competitive within the EU charity sector.

Location: UK or Brussels based with hybrid working flexibility. However, you must have the right to work in Belgium without sponsorship if applying for our Brussels office and the right to work in the UK without sponsorship if applying for our UK office. Some travel may be required in this role.

Application process:

• Initial Zoom meeting with our Talent team and prospective Line manager to start the process (we will send you the outline of the interview, so you know what to expect).

• A work-related assignment to complete at home or as part of the interview process so we know you will be comfortable with the type of work you would do here.

• Interview with our People Team, Team Lead and prospective manager. This may be based in our offices in London, Brussels or Isle of Wight. Alternatively, this meeting will be via Zoom as we recognise travel isn’t always possible, especially for our international candidates.

• For more senior roles we will conduct a presentation interview too.

What we do

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation develops and promotes the idea of a circular economy.  We work with, and inspire, business, academia, policymakers, and institutions to mobilise systems solutions at scale, globally. Our mission is to accelerate the transition to a circular economy.

Our vision is a new economic system that delivers better outcomes for people and the environment. Business models, products, and materials are designed to increase use and reuse, replicating the balance of the natural world, where nothing becomes waste, and everything has value. A circular economy, increasingly built on renewable energy and materials, is distributed, diverse, and inclusive.