Policy & Research Officer
A place to make a difference
Location: Bradford, Hybrid
Salary: £34,204 per annum
Permanent, 35 hours per week, Monday – Friday 9am-5pm
With over 21,000 homes across the country, we’re responsible for supporting thousands of customers and their families.
We’re proud to build positive, long-lasting relationships that go beyond housing. The work we do supports our customers and creates vibrant communities where people of all backgrounds can thrive.
If you pride yourself on delivering the best customer care and want to use your skills to make a positive impact on families and communities, there’s a place for you at Accent.
Shape policy. Inform decisions. Make a real difference.
Are you curious about how policy shapes people’s lives? Do you enjoy researching, asking good questions and getting properly stuck into meaningful work?
At Accent, no two days are the same. Government announcements, regulatory changes and sector developments mean we’re always learning, adapting and improving. As a Policy and Research Officer, you’ll play a key role in helping us understand what’s happening in the world around us – and what it means for our customers and colleagues.
You’ll join a supportive, welcoming team where your ideas are valued, your development is encouraged, and your work directly informs organisational decision‑making.
What you’ll be doing
Working closely with the Strategy and Policy Lead and Policy Advisors, you will:
- Manage and support Accent’s policies and procedures guidance process, ensuring policies are clear, effective and well understood
- Carry out horizon scanning to track changes in government policy, regulation and legislation
- Research best practice across the housing sector and beyond, and assess what it could mean for Accent
- Undertake research projects to address gaps in knowledge and support business priorities
- Analyse the impact of policy decisions – for example, rent increase analysis and how changes affect our customers
- Use data and tools such as Excel to analyse information and present clear, evidence‑based insight
- Support strategic initiatives and contribute to ESG reporting
- Help colleagues understand external policy changes and their implications for key stakeholders
Your work will help ensure Accent continues to deliver safe, sustainable housing and continually improves its services.
To view/download the Policy and Research Officer job description please click here.
Salary
The spot salary for this post is £34,204 per annum for applicants who fully meet the requirements of the post. If you’re still developing some of the skills or experience, you can start at a salary 5% or 10% below the spot rate, with clear support and progression opportunities to reach the full amount.
About you
You’ll bring a strong interest in policy and research, along with the ability to turn complex information into clear, practical insight. You’re organised, collaborative and comfortable juggling multiple priorities, with a keen eye for detail and accuracy.
You’ll also have:
- Proven experience in policy development and/or research
- An interest in housing legislation, regulation and best practice
- The ability to analyse information and present it in a clear, accessible way
- Strong attention to detail, with confidence managing competing tasks and deadlines
- Experience working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders and teams
- Experience in housing or a strong understanding of the sector
- A degree (or equivalent qualification or experience) in a relevant subject
- Experience in data analysis and interpretation, with confidence using tools such as Excel
- Knowledge of community engagement and/or tenant participation
Most importantly, you’ll be curious, proactive and keen to learn, ready to get involved and contribute to work that makes a real difference.
The successful applicant will be subject to pre‑employment checks, such as DBS and social media screening, before an offer is confirmed.
Interviews
We want your candidate experience to reflect who we are - a place to grow, a place to thrive, a place to be you.
Stage 1: A Place to Connect
A call with the hiring manager. You’ll learn more about the role and team, and we’ll get to know you – your experience, goals, and what you bring.
Planned date: 20th May via Teams.
Stage 2: A Place to Show Your Strengths
A role related assessment and behavioural and scenario-based interview focused on how you apply your knowledge to real-life situations. You'll be asked to complete a Customer Service Questionnaire in advance.
Planned date: 27th May at our Bradford office.
We aim to make the process clear, supportive, and genuinely valuable – a place where you feel informed and confident at every step.
A place to build a future
We’ve got big ambitions and we’re looking for people who want to grow with us. Here, you’ll have the chance to learn new skills, shape your career, and thrive in a collaborative environment where your ideas matter.
And because we believe great work deserves great rewards, here’s what you can look forward to:
Generous time off – 28 days holiday plus bank holidays, an extra day for your birthday, and the option to buy more.
Health & wellbeing support – Cash health plan, Health MOTs, online GP access, gym discounts, and a dedicated volunteering day for a cause you care about.
Financial perks – Car leasing options, salary sacrifice schemes, and exclusive discounts through our benefits platform to help your money go further.
Future-focused benefits – Access to both Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit pension schemes through salary sacrifice, plus life assurance at three times your salary for peace of mind.
Family-friendly policies – Enhanced parental leave, flexible working options, and support for work-life balance.
Career development – From Stepping into Management and Management Essentials training to our Leadership Academy, apprenticeships, and more – we’ll help you grow and succeed.
This is more than a job – it’s a place where you can make an impact, feel valued, and be rewarded for what you do.
We’re Committed to Inclusion
We believe diversity makes us stronger and we’re committed to creating a place where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to thrive.
Our recruitment process is designed to be accessible and inclusive, and if you need any reasonable adjustments at any stage, just let us know – we’ll make it happen.
Because this isn’t just a workplace – it’s a place to belong.
Please don’t delay in submitting your application. Where roles are urgent or we receive a high volume of applications, we may interview and conclude the process prior to any closing date indicated.
If you have any queries about the role, please email: PeopleServices@accentgroup.org
Please note candidates must have current eligibility to live and work in the UK, Accent do not currently hold a sponsorship license.
If you’re looking for a place you can make a positive difference to society, to our organisation and to your future, apply now.
Recruitment Agencies: We work exclusively with partners on our preferred supplier list (PSL) and do not accept unsolicited CVs or speculative approaches from agencies for this role.
