The Centre for Policy Studies is Britain’s leading centre-right think tank. Our mission is to develop a new generation of conservative thinking, built around promoting enterprise, ownership and prosperity.
All roles are based in our London offices, although the CPS operates a hybrid working model. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and we may appoint before the closing deadline.
Research Director
Salary: Competitive/Depending on experience
Closing Date: 17 August 2026
The Centre for Policy Studies, the UK’s leading centre-right think tank, is looking for an experienced public policy professional with a deep belief in the CPS’s core principles to oversee our research programme.
The successful candidate will be responsible for:
– Shaping and delivering a programme of impactful, high-quality research
– Managing our policy team and overseeing and editing their output
– Helping to run the CPS’s flagship Thatcher Fellowship programme, including topic selection and
compiling the monthly reading lists
– Working with a wide range of external contributors and commercial partners
– Producing their own research
– Serving as part of the CPS’s senior leadership team, supporting the new CPS Director and
contributing to the organisation’s strategic direction
– Curating the CPS reports archive
Required experience and skills:
– Significant experience of developing and analysing UK public policy
– Excellent knowledge of economics and economic debates
– Experience managing a team and overseeing/editing high-quality policy output
– Experience of editing policy reports and copy for articles and op-eds
– Experience using AI tools to assist in research, data analysis and administrative tasks
– Understanding of and commitment to the CPS’s values and objectives
– Experiencing managing relationships within government, politics or the private sector
Desirable experience and skills:
– Experience as a public speaker, event chair and media commentator
– Training in advanced data analysis
– Strong relationship management and experience in dealing with key stakeholders
– Familiarity with centre-right policy community in the UK and beyond
– Experience of writing successful grant applications and developing commercial partnerships
– Experience using X and other social media to amplify policy and analysis
Application Details
Please send a CV and cover letter outlining why you would be suitable for this role to Bryony Betts (applications@cps.org.uk) putting ‘[Your Name] (Research Director Application)’ in the subject line.
Head of Events / Events Manager (Maternity Cover)
Salary: Competitive/Depending on experience
Length of Contract: 12 months
Closing date: 31 August
Start Date: November 2026
The Centre for Policy Studies is looking for an enthusiastic individual to oversee our programme of public and private events, in Westminster and beyond, as well as manage the associated commercial partnerships. We are looking for an experienced, highly organised and highly motivated individual who is unflappable under pressure and who excels when working in a small team.
This role reports to the External Affairs Director.
Responsibilities will include:
1. Plan and organise a programme of events that complements the work of the CPS and boosts the profile of the think tank and its media arm CapX
- Create a pipeline of public events and private research roundtables, generating new ideas for event themes and formats to drive impactful engagement
- Manage all aspects of each event, from conception to delivery, including: contracts with venues and events suppliers, speaker liaison, attendee outreach and guest list management
- Write event blurbs and invitations, as well as speaker briefings and event/sponsorship proposals
- Work with the Digital and Communications Manager to support the live-streaming of events
- Plan and oversee the delivery of flagship events and sponsored activities such as the CPS’s annual Margaret Thatcher Conference and Conservative and Reform UK party conference programme
- Support the work of the Development team, assisting with their private events where necessary
2. Manage event sponsorships
- Be the main point of contact for public event sponsorship Create and manage a database of relevant stakeholders from events and networking opportunities
- Working with the Development team, identify, create and drive a sponsorship plan for public and private events, corporate membership opportunities, and research programmes
3. Work with the Digital and Communications team on event specific digital marketing and social media strategy
- Schedule posts and event promotion on social media channels
- Manage and update mailing lists for both CPS and CapX
- Manage outreach for events via the website, email, and social media in order to encourage attendance from a broad pool
4. Carry out other duties as and when required in order to contribute to the efficient running of the CPS
Application Details: Please send a 2-page CV and cover letter outlining why you would be suitable for this role to Bryony Betts (applications@cps.org.uk), putting ‘[Your Name] – Events Role’ in the subject line
Digital Officer/Manager
Salary: Competitive/Dependent on experience
Length of Contract: Permanent, full-time
Closing Date: 31 August
The Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) is looking for a hard-working and motivated person to lead on its digital and social media output; manage the CPS and CapX websites, and to ensure that the impact of the organisation’s publications is maximised.
The successful candidate will report into the External Affairs Director.
The role comprises two main duties:
Digital and and Social Media
- Create engaging digital content, such as short- and longer-form video and graphics, to promote the CPS and CapX brands, and The Capitalist podcast
- Supporting the wider team to become confident and pro-active in generating digital content, responding to events as well as CPS and CapX output
- Maintain overall responsibility for CPS and CapX brand consistency
- Run the CPS and CapX social media accounts, producing tailored content for each platform under the direction of the CapX Editor and External Affairs Director
- Responsibility for monitoring the security and performance of the CPS and CapX websites, in partnership with external contractors, and steering a potential redevelopment of the CPS website in the next 12 months
- Manage the organisation’s digital facilities – camera and audio equipment, sound proofing, visual backdrops, etc – to ensure high-quality content
Events
- Acting as the main point of contact for external AV and production teams at CPS events, including Conservative and Reform party conferences
- Overseeing digital activity at events, including filming, photography and live-streaming
This role will also, from time to time, support the broader work of the Communications Team in handling press enquiries, etc.
Candidate profile
Essential:
- Sympathy with the aims and objectives of the Centre for Policy Studies
- Comfortable working independently and proactively to develop communications activity
- Strong written communication and eye for design
- Highly capable running social media and online outreach campaigns
- Experience using digital tools such as Canva or Adobe Creative suite
- An interest in using AI tools to improve productivity
Desirable:
- Experience working in a political or policy environment e.g. parliamentary office, political campaign etc.
- Experience maintaining websites within WordPress
- Willingness to appear in print and on media as a spokesperson for the CPS
- Familiarity with politics and policy debates on the centre-right
- Familiarity with Hubspot and TicketTailor
Application
Please send a CV and cover letter (maximum two pages) outlining your suitability for the role to Bryony Betts (applications@cps.org.uk) with the subject line ‘[Your Name] – Digital Officer/Manager’. You may wish to include links to articles you have written, media appearances, or digital content you have created.
Internships
The Centre for Policy Studies provides paid internships with our Research, Events and CapX functions throughout the year. However they are advertised as and when the need arises. If you are interested in internships, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media to find out when positions are advertised.
