Head Economist

Following recent promotions, we have created a new team in the Economics Directorate focused on cross-cutting policy issues. Specifically, this team will provide high quality and timely economic analysis and advice across the areas of crypto, AI, payments, pensions, Open Finance and Open Banking, redress and reporting policy. The team's remit also includes advising on regulatory reform issues and FCA operational effectiveness. The team will be closely involved in the development, deployment and evaluation of the FCA strategy. We are recruiting a Manager to lead this team. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead a group of talented economists undertaking innovative analyses across these issues, working closely with policy leads, data scientists, technology specialists and social researchers from across the FCA. The Manager will regularly present and advise the FCA's senior leadership. The Manager will oversee the delivery of a pipeline of cost benefit analyses, policy evaluations, and research projects. As a new team, the Manager will have an opportunity to shape and design new processes and ways of working. The Manager will be part of the Economics Directorate's senior leadership team comprising five other Managers, the Deputy and Chief Economists. We are looking for individuals with a passion for using economics to inform proactive and evidence-based policy, who will work closely with policymakers to shape the future of financial services and its regulation. What you will be doing (the role)

• Setting the strategic vision responsible for the new Cross-Cutting Policy Analysis team
• Managing a portfolio of CBAs, evaluations and research projects. Making prioritisation decisions, setting and owning risk tolerances, and allocating resources and budget
• Promoting innovation in analyses and efficiencies to ensure value for money. This will include use of interdisciplinary methods such as systems thinking and complexity analyses
• Being responsible for quality assurance and the timely delivery of policy advice
• Keeping abreast of the latest developments in market and economic developments in crypto, AI, payments and Open Finance/Banking
• Engaging and collaborating with internal stakeholders to ensure all relevant information and analysis is available for policymaking
• Engaging and collaborating with external stakeholders (incl. academics, market commentators, other regulators and government departments) to ensure relevant information is used to inform FCA decision-making
• Communicating insights to senior stakeholders of the FCA, including presenting at Executive and Board-level committees
• Line managing senior members of the team, with responsibilities including: goal setting, supporting professional development, and conducting performance reviews as well as supporting with the management of indirect reports
What you will get from the role You will have the opportunity to learn about, understand and shape the workings of the financial sector at a time of considerable change. You will have the opportunity to influence policy and deliver meaningful work that makes a real difference to consumers and markets. You will be part of a thriving economics profession, with links to the Government Economic Service and other professional organisations. You will be joining a multicultural community of economists, econometricians, behavioural scientists and data scientists, with opportunities to attend academic and industry conferences. We provide a stimulating, collaborative environment with a range of opportunities for professional and personal development. This includes the opportunity to develop new skills (for instance coding or causal inference techniques) and build up knowledge of different wholesale or retail financial markets. We also provide opportunities to work on other economics projects outside your core role, depending on the skills and interest of the job holder. This provides variety to your work and allows you to develop or make use of existing skills through working with colleagues in other teams. Examples of opportunities outside of your core role include:
• Undertake training to develop and/or enhance coding experience (usually in R), with opportunity to work on smaller data analysis projects
• Undertaking more complex data analysis, including having access to large datasets where you can use econometric methods to answer policy questions
• Using quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate and assess the effectiveness of previous interventions, including the use of cutting edge causal inference methods
• Using first principles economic thinking to provide thinking for our strategy and regulatory approach
• Using a blend of tools and techniques to help the FCA to proactively understand how future trends affect the markets it regulates, providing insights and research to inform the FCA's approach to new and emerging issues, We welcome applications from candidates who are looking for flexible arrangements. Many of our staff work flexibly including working part-time, staggered hours, and job shares. We can't promise to give you exactly what you want but we won't judge you for asking.
  
  A degree in economics (or related discipline) with relevant professional experience
• Experience leading teams to deliver high quality, innovative economic analysis in a policy, regulatory or business setting that shapes and influences decisions
• Experience communicating insights from economic analysis to senior stakeholders in a way that helps them to make decisions on complex issues
Essential
• Ability to deliver a portfolio of projects, managing resources and risks and uncertainties, delegating roles and driving efficiencies
• Ability to apply economic theories and empirical methods to support strategic decision making and business planning
• Ability to make a strong personal impact, persuading others with well-reasoned arguments questioning where appropriate
• Responsible for prioritising work and delivering to tight deadlines
• Comfort with ambiguity and uncertainty, and an ability to adapt to changing circumstances
• Strong report writing and communication skills, with an ability to articulate complex issues accurately and concisely to an executive audience
• Ability to motivate and direct the work of team members, and to provide useful feedback to support their development
• Innovation mindset: a willingness and desire to find ways to improve how we do things
  
  Economics is at the heart of what the FCA does. Economic thinking and analysis inform our regulatory decisions and shape how we tackle some of the biggest issues in financial services., The FCA regulates the conduct of nearly 45,000 firms in the UK to ensure our financial markets are honest, fair and competitive. We do this to make sure markets work well for individuals, businesses and the economy as a whole. For more information on what we do, our three-year strategy can be found here.
  
  Our competitive flexible benefits scheme gives you the opportunity to create a personalised benefits package, tailored to suit your lifestyle. You can use this allowance to purchase additional benefits such as dental or cycle to work or you have the option top up your base salary by taking this as cash.
Core benefits that you will receive as standard are:
• 28 days holiday per year plus bank holidays
• Private healthcare with Bupa
• A non-contributory Pension of at least 8% of basic salary each month (there are several contribution levels that increase depending on your age - up to 12% a month once you reach age 35)
• Life assurance of eight times your basic salary
• Income protection