Lead Economist

Requirements of the role

Do you want to be part of a team focused on some of the most high-profile issues facing financial services regulation which will give you the opportunity to apply your economic expertise to meaningful work that makes a real difference?

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.

We are currently recruiting for a Lead Economist to work in our Economic Strategy Markets team in the Economics Division. The successful candidate will lead and coordinate research and analytical work carried out by the team.  The team focuses on topics relating to wholesale markets, macroeconomic trends, and financial stability, and often works jointly with other Economics and Wholesale market teams. The work may also include supporting the FCA’s engagement in the Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee and coordinating analytical input to support the FCA’s international work. In particular, the Economic Strategy (markets) team represents the FCA on key international forums at the Financial Stability Board (FSB) and International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).

We are looking for a strong economist with good understanding of financial markets, their functioning and underlying risks, with the ability to work at pace, often with ambiguity. The successful candidate will join a Division made up of teams spanning areas of policy analysis and evaluation, economic strategy, horizon scanning, scenario analysis, behavioural and economic data science. Staff are eligible to join the FCA’s growing Economics Profession network.

What you will be doing (the role)

You will support the team manager in delivering the Economics Division’s work programme and managing relationships with key stakeholders. You will manage and oversee the delivery of pieces of economic analysis and, in some cases, directly being responsible the provision of advice on issues relevant to the FCA. You will coordinate and collaborate with colleagues within, and outside, the core team and manage their analytical contributions to research. You may also lead and coordinate some of the FCA’s research and analytical contributions to the international organisations we work closely with, in particular the FSB and IOSCO. As part of our team of subject-matter experts, you will contribute to shaping and delivering outputs of the team. In addition, you can advise and contribute to financial market horizon scanning, analysis, and research.

This is a fast-paced job where you will need to be comfortable working under uncertainty and adapting quickly to new demands. In return, you will have the opportunity to influence how the FCA contributes to domestic and international debates on topical issues, interact directly with senior members, and manage the work of highly-skilled members of the team.

As part of your role, you will build and manage various relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and act as an advocate for the Economics Division – seeking out ways to develop and share your economic knowledge.

You may have line manager responsibilities, and you will be responsible for leading and developing more junior members of the team. You will work closely with the manager of the team and technical specialists on overall team delivery and development.

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.

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