James Murphy

Public affairs and campaigns professional specialising in stakeholder engagement, strategic engagement and policy development across local government and policy networks. Skilled at drafting clear, concise briefing notes, parliamentary engagement materials and correspondence for senior decision‑makers, and convening strategic forums to influence policy outcomes. Experienced in project management and providing consulting support for cross-team initiatives, organising high-impact events and coordinating multi-stakeholder campaigns to deliver measurable outcomes.

POLICY & RESEARCH ANALYST - Tax Research UK

(2025-10)

• Directed end-to-end delivery of the flagship annual conference on tax policy and public finance for 200 delegates; managed stakeholder engagement, event operations and programme coordination, generating 3,000 net profit and strengthening organisational profile.
• Prepared concise briefing notes and public affairs materials translating complex policy developments (housing, NEET) for senior stakeholders and external audiences to support timely decision-making and stakeholder engagement.
• Conducted horizon scanning and policy research to identify emerging political and economic risks and opportunities, informing strategic positioning and influence activities.
• Produced forward-looking reporting to support senior colleagues and external partners, enabling prompt responses to policy queries and stakeholder requests.

CAMPAIGN MANAGER PETERSFIELD WARD - GREEN PARTY

(2025-11 - 2026-04)

• Directed a campaign team of 6, coordinating two weekly canvassing sessions and three campaign action days covering approximately 1,500 voter contacts over five months; managed operations, volunteer activity and delivery of campaign objectives.
• Provided expert consulting to shape public affairs strategy and campaign messaging, contributing to a result in which the candidate secured 41% of the vote.
• Cultivated relationships with local businesses, residents and community organisations to shape campaign positions collaboratively and expand the campaign's network of advocates.

STRATEGY OFFICER ADULT SOCIAL CARE & INTEGRATED COMMISSIONING - ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON & CHELSEA

(2025-04 - 2025-09)

• Designed a strategy architecture across eight policy themes, identifying nine strategic outcomes to guide commissioning, stakeholder engagement and senior decision-making.
• Drove engagement across 15 internal teams and 7 external organisations, leading client meetings to develop cross-borough policy on sensory impairment and coordinating inputs and timelines to maintain momentum.
• Built consensus among senior stakeholders across RBKC and Westminster, balancing competing priorities to establish a shared strategic framework.
• Presented analysis and actionable recommendations to senior leadership, contributing to the establishment of a cross-authority Sensory Impairment Strategy Board and supporting follow-up governance.
• Led targeted lobbying and stakeholder engagement to influence public policy and advance organisational objectives.

TRANSFORMATION OFFICER HUMAN RESOURCES - ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON & CHELSEA

(2024-09 - 2025-03)

• Led a cross-authority working group across six local authorities, researching disability and reasonable-adjustment legislation and translating findings into nine policy resources adopted by RBKC and presented to 30 London councils at the London HR Policy Forum.
• Facilitated stakeholder workshops supporting the Economic Development team restructure, producing analysis that contributed to identified savings of £100,000.
• Coordinated planning and briefing materials for the Employment Act 2025 workshop with senior HR leadership, strengthening internal readiness and policy communications.

GRADUATE TRAINEE EARLY HELP - ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON & CHELSEA

(2024-04 - 2024-10)

• Led a cross-borough corporate communications and public affairs campaign addressing school absence, monitoring Department for Education statutory guidance and translating policy developments into clear public communications.
• Managed day-to-day stakeholder relationships with commissioners and council services, driving alignment around campaign objectives across a complex multi-stakeholder environment.
• Coordinated cross-agency activity to identify and rehouse 118 homeless individuals from commercial hotels, aligning multiple stakeholders and maintaining clear communications under significant time pressure.
• Analysed multi-agency data and produced baseline analysis informing the Early Help Strategy 2024–27, subsequently adopted by senior leadership.

GRADUATE TRAINEE – Housing Management - Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

(2023-10 - 2024-03)

• Coordinated workshops with internal stakeholders to establish EDI Board priorities in housing management.
• Developed a comprehensive report on Tenant Satisfaction Measures to enhance resident experiences.
• Conducted research on best practices for communication between housing departments and residents.

CAMPAIGN EXECUTIVE - TRUE & FAIR PARTY

(2023-01 - 2023-06)

• Tracked political, policy and media developments in a fast-moving environment, converting emerging issues into timely communications for the supporter base.
• Designed and managed production of the bimonthly political newsletter, overseeing research, drafting and publication and producing policy briefs for external audiences.
• Delivered rapid-response communications for a senior political figure following an incident, coordinating messaging under significant time pressure.
• Developed electoral strategy and coordinated canvassing across target wards, aligning political messaging with candidate objectives.

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER - IMPACT POLICY NETWORK

(2024-08 - 2025-04)

• Managed communications for the largest policy network within the IMPACT graduate programme, producing a policy newsletter reaching 1,000 members and strengthening stakeholder engagement.
• Organised a 100-person policy event involving senior policy figures and supported delivery of the network's annual flagship conference.
• Built relationships across the policy network and wider local government community, facilitating knowledge sharing between public sector professionals.
• Coordinated briefing materials and event scheduling for policy discussions, supporting public affairs activity and improving responsiveness to member queries.

BA - Politics - UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS (2022)

LEVEL 7 CERTIFICATE IN STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP & FOUNDATION CHARTERED MANAGER - Chartered Management Institute (2025)