Director of Policy and Influencing

Director of Policy and Influencing

Salary: £68,441 to £75,045 per annum

Contract Type: Permanent (Full time 37 hours per week)

Location: Hybrid (Cardiff Bay and Remote)

Shape the future for older people in Wales

The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales is seeking an experienced leader to drive the work of the organisation in strategically influencing the direction of national policy in Wales to improve the lives of older people.

As Director of Policy & Influencing, you will lead high-impact influence across Wales, ensuring older people’s voices are heard where it matters most. You’ll shape and deliver a strategic work programme, build strong relationships across government, public, and third sectors and inspire and lead a team to deliver innovative and evidenced-based policy changes grounded in the lived experiences of older people.

You will be a strategic policy leader with a strong track record of influencing public policy and delivering meaningful change. You’ll bring a comprehensive understanding of the Welsh policy landscape and the issues that affect the lives of older people, alongside exceptional communication and leadership skills. Above all, you’ll be motivated by making a real difference to the lives of older people across Wales.

How to apply

Please read the job description and person specification carefully as these outline the responsibilities and expectations of the role.

Consider how your skills, knowledge and experience match what we are looking for and think about specific examples that demonstrate your abilities.

• Job Description
• Application Form

Submit your completed application form to recruitment@olderpeople.wales or by post to Recruitment, Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Cambrian Buildings, Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff, CF10 5FL by Sunday 31 May 2026 at 23.59.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Interested in applying, but have a question or want to discuss the role further? Contact us on: recruitment@olderpeople.wales

Interviews

If you are successfully shortlisted you must be available to attend an interview on:

• Stage One Interview:     12 June
• Stage Two Interview:     30 June or 1 July
• Stage Three Interview:    6 July

We want our workforce to be more representative of all sections of society at all levels in the organisation. We therefore welcome applications from a diverse range of people, from all backgrounds and with many different skills, experience and perspectives.

The Commissioner is a Disability Confident Committed employer and has adopted the social model of disability. The Commissioner is committed to removing barriers in the recruitment process so that candidates can perform at their best. Recruitment adjustments can be made at any part of the recruitment process for candidates with an impairment or health condition, who are neurodivergent or who use British Sign Language.

We offer a guaranteed interview to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic applicants and any applicants with an impairment, health condition, who are neurodivergent or who use British Sign Language who apply and meet the essential criteria of the role.

Use of AI 

You may use AI tools (like Copilot or ChatGPT) to support your application. If you decide to use AI, please use it in a way that still sounds like you.

We want your application to reflect what you’ve done, what you can bring to the role, and what matters to you in your own words. So please don’t use AI to invent or overstate qualifications or examples – make sure everything you submit is accurate and something you can talk us through at interview.

Using AI won’t advantage or disadvantage your application. We’ll assess everyone in the same way, based on the examples you share and how you show you meet the criteria.

We don’t use generative AI or automated decision-making to shortlist applications. Every application is reviewed by a panel of at least two people from the Commissioner’s team.