Recruit Policy Professionals
Discover why respected businesses, trade associations and regulators, trust us to hire their Policy professionals
Discover how we can help you recruit Policy professionals
Policy professionals work within government bodies, charities, think tanks and trade associations, as well as in the private sector.
Policy experts possess excellent communication and analytical skills, and an ability to identify, formulate and present complex information in a clear and concise manner, enabling decision-makers to decide on the best course of action. These specialists are diverse, resourceful and reasoned professionals, often working in environments.
Our consultants understand that the policy sector is a fast-paced, dynamic environment and much like policy development, our recruitment involves research, consultation, and evaluation to identify high-calibre candidates.
Effective policy development requires a range of communication skills that reflect the agility of the market. Securing the right candidate involves an in-depth search of the market and a recruitment process that spans each corner of the industry. Working closely with our clients, we successfully place professionals with the right knowledge and expertise.
As one of the few recruitment consultancies specialising in policy, we have access to a diverse network of specialists. We continue to add to and enhance our understanding of the sector and work to constantly develop and maintain our talent network. Our consultants draw on years of experience to find candidates best suited for our clients’ needs, values, and industry vertical.
Using an innovative, research-led approach, we have developed a diverse network of talented professionals. This enables us to successfully generate referrals and identify the right candidates for clients. From graduate placements and those transitioning through senior roles, to heads of departments, managerial functions and executive level positions we can help you to find the right people, with the skills and experience you require. Our consultants know how important the role of a policy professional is to your organisation. In mirroring the process of the industry, we have unrivalled insight and awareness of the challenges and opportunities across a range of organisation sizes and sectors. Through this understanding, we develop long-term, successful partnerships with our clients.
We will use the retained search again as they demonstrated that their network and market mapping process uncovers a strong selection of candidates.
We have recently placed our Head of Public Affairs using Murray McIntosh, an important hire for us as we are about to enter a period of transition for the organisation so the role is key support to our Director of Policy and Public Affairs. We had engaged another agency but did not see the quality of candidate we needed.
Lauren talked us through the retained search method and explained how this ensures a thorough search, tied to a timeframe. Our PPA Director found this particularly useful, as we could work around his diary in advance.
We met to brief the role and define expectations on both sides, including a check-in point halfway through the market mapping process to ensure a relevant shortlist was coming together. Lauren was insightful, reliable and very transparent throughout and the process proved to be very efficient.
We started in January. The role was placed 6 weeks later after seeing 6 video interviews on The Lobby platform, inviting 3 candidates for first stage interview, and seeing 2 for a final stage.
We will use the retained search again in future as they demonstrated for us that their network and market mapping process uncovers a strong selection of candidates. That being said, they only introduce those who have demonstrated their interest and commitment to the role, so our time wasn’t wasted by dropouts and the offer process for our favoured candidate was very straightforward.
HR Manager - HR Manager at London chamber of Commerce and Industry
Multiple successful placements across our Public Policy team as well as our Communications and International department.
We started working with Murray McIntosh in 2016, and have since made multiple successful placements across our Public Policy team as well as our Communications and International department. From Economists to niche Tech and Innovation policy roles, to our first permanent Government Affairs hire based in Brussels, they’ve shown a real understanding of the market and our organisational needs,
The MM team always make the effort to understand requirements thoroughly and beyond that, appreciate the importance of culture fit, too.
Working on a retained basis, they develop their process to suit our timescales and always produce shortlists of talented individuals who are well qualified on skillset as well as motivation.
Of our most recent process for a Senior Policy Manager, working on trade policy, our Head of Policy commented on an extremely strong shortlist of stand-out candidates from which it was tough to make a choice!
Katie Milbourn - Director of Group HR at The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Ltd
It was critical that we engaged an agency that could work efficiently and knew how to promote us to a competitive market.
Energy UK has recently been through a restructure and this resulted in a number of key vacancies across our policy and communications teams. This not only presented a challenge for volume candidate attraction but also put pressure on internal administration and interviewing- made even trickier with the challenges the energy industry was facing, resulting in extra time pressures on our managers.
It was critical that we engaged an agency that could work efficiently and knew how to promote us to a competitive market. Having worked with Murray McIntosh for over 7 years, we knew that they had a great network and we put a project plan in place to deliver 10 roles in 10 weeks.
Following a salary benchmarking exercise, we developed a schedule for shortlisting, interviews and even 1st stage interview questions that allowed for unbiased assessment.
Candidates were screened by MM and shortlisted using recorded video interviews which really helped to reduce the impact on managers’ time.
MM understood not just role requirements but our values, including our commitment to D&I. The process was account managed, with regular updates and feedback.
We’ve successfully hired talented and enthusiastic new employees that we are confident will help us provide the best possible service to our members.
Nicola Rowland - Head of HR at Energy UK
Renewable UK
Case Study
Our partnership with RenewableUK began in 2021, aligning with the appointment of a new Chief Executive. This leading and respected trade association were on the cusp of significant growth due to an increasing political awareness and national demand for renewable energy. As we had continued success within the energy market, we felt it was an exciting time to be working together.
As much of RenewableUK’s external affairs requires robust strategic communications and defined policy development, our first placement was an Onshore Wind Advocacy and Policy Coordinator (who has since been promoted to Head of Onshore Wind). This successful placement went on to spark a series of important hires and the development of new teams during a very competitive market. Our support crossed all functions from Policy to Business Development to Communications, all of which have helped their continued development at a critical time.
We worked entirely with RenewableUK on a retained basis, allowing us to take a dedicated and deep search into a market to secure the right talent.
- Executive Director of Policy and Engagement
- Policy Manager, Networks and Charging
- Onshore Wind Advocacy and Policy Coordinator
- Senior Business Development Executive
- Marketing and Communications Officer
Testimonial
We first approached Murray McIntosh to support the hiring of a key new role within our Strategic Communications teams. With the appointment of a new CEO, we were aware of the imminent changes so wanted to ensure we had a strong agency partnership we could return to. As we continue to grow, Murray McIntosh has provided us with undivided guidance and consultation across many key points above and beyond simply sourcing the best candidates for us - we look forward to continuing our work together!
Complimentary Specialisms
Our work across closely linked specialisms has allowed us to build a network and knowledge base that informs our work, improves our delivery and has given us insight into strategic and granular delivery.
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Our successful retainer solutions
A retainer is a three-part process based on the key milestones of an assignment; commencement, shortlist and appointment.
We are accountable for a time-conscious, structured process which guarantees results.
Finding you the best in the market, not on the market.
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