Influencing Manager

About us

The Alliance for Youth Justice is an alliance of more than 70 non-profit organisations advocating with and for children to drive positive change in youth justice across England and Wales. We mobilise our members’ frontline expertise, children’s lived experience, and evidence from research to champion a child‑centred, rights‑based and trauma‑informed system that treats contact with the justice system as a sign of unmet need and systemic failure, prioritises support over criminalisation and gives every child the opportunity to thrive.

We're widely recognised as the most influential group campaigning for improvements to the system, with trusted access to decision makers, working towards three goals: keeping children safe from the youth justice system through prevention and diversion; racial justice across the system; and custody as a last resort for children.

Following the launch of our new strategic approach, our Influencing Manager will lead the development and delivery of AYJ's influencing, policy, public affairs and campaigning workto shift policy, legislation, practice and public narratives.

lead our influencing strategy alongside the CEO, spot opportunities for systemic change, develop evidence-driven policy positions and briefings, and build relationships with members, politicians, civil servants and stakeholders.

ensure the reach of our influencing, write high-impact influencing content for our digital channels, and act as first point of contact for media enquiries.

Anti-oppressive, anti-racist practice and youth voice run through everything, including involving children and young people with lived experience safely and meaningfully in our work.

You have a proven track record of influencing for systemic change through policy, public affairs, communications or campaigning within a voluntary sector organisation or coalition, and know how to turn complex policy and research into compelling written communications for varied audiences. You have a thorough understanding of the political environment and Parliament, strong relationship-building skills, and excellent project management. You bring a genuine interest in youth justice and the issues facing children in England and Wales, alongside a personal commitment to anti-racism, social justice and child rights.

We're a small team of three punching well above our weight, with real scope to shape how we work and few layers of hierarchy.

• flexible, trust-based home working (within core hours)
• 25 days' leave (pro rata)
• Christmas office closure
• 5% employer pension contribution

We encourage applications from historically marginalised groups even if you don't meet every requirement, and we do not use criminal records to exclude candidates.