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Senior Policy Advisor

Job details
Posting date: 11 March 2026
Salary: £44,241 to £48,581 per year
Additional salary information: National - £44,241 London - £48,581
Hours: Full time
Closing date: 22 March 2026
Location: Leeds
Company: Government Recruitment Service
Job type: Permanent
Job reference: 451779/2

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Summary

Can you build strong stakeholder relationships while developing and delivering complex transport security policy, legislation and sponsorship priorities in a fast-paced environment?

Do you have the analytical, organisational and communication skills to manage competing priorities, interpret detailed regulatory issues, and provide clear advice to Ministers and partners?

If so, we'd love to hear from you!

This role offers the opportunity to shape and deliver transport security policy across rail sponsorship or road transport security. You will build strong stakeholder relationships, provide high-quality advice and briefings to Ministers and senior officials, and support the development and implementation of legislation and regulatory standards. Working collaboratively across government and industry, you will help strengthen national transport security and promote best practice. The role requires strong analytical and communication skills, sound judgement, and the ability to manage complex issues at pace while maintaining high standards and adapting to evolving priorities.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

  • Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
  • 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday
  • Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at Department for Transport Central - Department for Transport Careers

Core Responsibilities
  • Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, fostering collaboration, information sharing, and the promotion of best practice across the division.
  • Coordinate and contribute to policy advice, briefings, and correspondence for Ministers and senior officials, including regular engagement with key partners and
  • Support the continuous improvement of national transport security by sharing knowledge and learning within the team and wider directorate.
  • Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in response to changing business needs, taking on new responsibilities as required.
Rail Sponsorship
  • Ensure the sponsorship of BTPA meets high standards and complies with Department for Transport and wider Government requirements.
  • Collaborate with Government Legal advisors and the Home Office to interpret and implement new policing legislation and regulations within BTPA and contribute to shaping legislation supporting BTP’s objectives.
  • Champion the BTPA’s role in rail and police reform by attending key meetings, supporting regulatory and legislative developments, and ensuring effective representation and relationship management.
  • Assist the Public Appointments Team in managing campaigns to recruit new non- executive members to the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA).
Road Transport Security
  • Maintain, build, and enhance relationships with the bus, coach, commercial freight, and rental sectors, as well as other key industry stakeholders, to promote good security practice.
  • Work with industry partners to embed Road Transport Security Standards (RTSS) and best practice guidance within the sector.
  • Review and update industry-specific guidance to ensure relevance and
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of relevant legislation (e.g., Martyn’s Law) and ensure its effective integration within the bus and coach
  • Collaborate with the rest of the Road Transport Security Team and cyber security colleagues to ensure cyber threats are addressed as part of a holistic security strategy.
  • Organise and lead meetings and workshops with industry and government partners to address evolving security risks.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.

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