Head Economist

Requirements of the role

Are you ready to lead a high-performing, diverse team of economists, driving impactful work that shapes real-world outcomes?

The team/department 

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.

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

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