Director of Policy and Communications

The Director of Policy and Communications will be pivotal to ensuring that the sector reaches its potential in the UK and that all older people have the option to live in an IRC - helping us reach our target of 250,000 residents by 2030.

In this role, you will lead ARCO's policy, public affairs and communications function, including achieving ARCO's strategic goals through building and developing high-level relationships with politicians, officials and other key stakeholders including in 2022/23 managing our work with the Older People's Housing Task Force. In addition, the post-holder will develop and direct ARCO's policy and research strategy - ensuring that we have the best evidence to support our goals.

The Director of Policy and Communications is a member of ARCO's Executive Management Team (EMT) and along with the other members of EMT, sets the strategic direction for ARCO and supports the Board and Steering Group.

You will:

• Develop, in consultation with the Chief Executive and the Steering Group, a public affairs strategy for ARCO including key monthly, quarterly, and annual targets
• In pursuit of these targets, build and maintain high-level relationships with politicians, officials and other stakeholders including in 2022/23 the Older People's Housing Task Force. This will include working with ARCO's ever-growing list of Parliamentary Supporters who we work with to expand housing and care options for older people in the UK.
• Building a body of research to support ARCO's strategic public affairs goals, including through commissioning and work with external partners;
• Producing policy collateral and thought leadership content;
• Responsible for ARCO's external communications strategy
• Acting as media spokesperson for ARCO and dealing with press queries
• Acting as line manager for the Policy and External Affairs Manager