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Swyddle | Plaid Cymru Head of Policy / Swyddle
Position:
Plaid Cymru Head of Policy
Location:
Cardiff, Wales
Salary:
Senior Advisor Band (£42,904 – £55,159)
Ref:
PennaethPolisi2026
Job Type:
Permanent ( Permanent (37 hours per week) )
Client:
Plaid Cymru
Closing Date:
15-07-2026

Job Specification: 

Head of Policy 

 

Job Title: 

Head of Policy 

Location: 

Plaid Cymru HQ, Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff 

Plaid Cymru staff operate a hybrid pattern of remote working and office working. 

Type of Contract 

Permanent 

The contract is offered on a permanent basis, and is subject to the successful completion of a three month probation period. 

Flexible – Plaid Cymru would welcome applicants who wished to take on this role on a full-time or part-time basis. 

Salary 

Senior Advisor Band (£42,904 – £55,159)  

Appointments are usually made at the lower end of the scale 

Working Hours 

37 hours per week, with the need for occasional evening and weekend work.  Plaid Cymru operates a flexible working hours system.  The post offers 28 days holiday per year pro rata with additional privilege days. 

 

 

Purpose of the role: 

Following the party’s successful Senedd election result in May, Plaid Cymru is recruiting a senior member of staff to its party headquarters to lead the party’s policy development work. The successful candidate will have an in-depth understanding of the political and policy-making world in Wales.  

The postholder will coordinate the party’s policy development activity, working closely with elected members, the Director of Policy, senior staff, the Policy Forum and staff across elected groups to ensure that the party’s policies are well researched, consulted upon with members and stakeholders and communicated effectively. 

 

Main responsibilities: 

  1. Take lead staff responsibility to develop the party’s manifestos, working closely with the Director of Policy and other key individuals.   

  1. Maintain strategic oversight of the party’s policy development activity, including the Annual Conference, working with Steering Committee 

  1. Ensure good policy coordination with the party in government, and between the Party’s elected groups, including the Senedd Group, Westminster Group, Council Groups and Police and Crime Commissioner.   

  1. Take lead responsibility for the implementation of findings from policy consultation and testing exercises (e.g. opinion polls and focus groups), communicating with the party in government where necessary. 

  1. Liaise with key stakeholders and organisations to help inform policy development and communicate the Party’s policy platform.   

  1. Take lead responsibility for meeting the requirements of the Electoral Commission with regards to the Policy Development Grant, working closely with the Head of Finance and Compliance to present documentation for reporting and auditing of the grant.   

  1. Manage the policy budget and the planning and implementation of a policy timetable, including oversight of the commissioning of research and policy papers to plan and allocate resources effectively.   

  1. Manage policy and events staff employed centrally by the party, and maintain close working relationships with policy and research staff across elected groups.   

  1. Develop policy training activities and support for candidates and other key groups.   

 

Key Skills & Experience 

Essential:  

  • An excellent understanding of Plaid Cymru’s policy platform  

  • The ability to communicate fluently and effectively in English and Welsh 

  • The ability to work to deadlines, be organised and manage time and resources effectively 

  • The ability to work on a number of different projects at the same time, ensuring delivery by key dates  

  • An excellent understanding and active interest in politics and current affairs in Wales and beyond 

  • Strong research and analytical skills 

  • The ability to work well as part of a team, and develop good working relationships across areas of responsibility  

  • The ability to manage resources and budgets 

 

Desirable: 

  • Experience of line management 

  • Experience of working with volunteers 

  • Experience of working within political and/or member-led organisations 

 

__________________________ 

 

Application closing date: 12:00 Noon Wednesday 15th July 2026 

Shortlisting date: Thursday 16th July 2026 

Interviews for short-listed candidates will take place: Tuesday 28th July 2026 

Please send completed application forms to: paula.reed@plaid.cymru  

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