Analyst, Government

About Public First, an SHGH Company

Public First is a specialist consultancy that helps charities, philanthropists, public sector bodies and global brands to improve public policy. Based in London, we have worked in more than thirty international markets.

We are part think tank, part strategic consultancy, part research company, and part communications agency. In practice, we bring together the disciplines that make policy change happen: research and analysis, political insight, strategy and communications.

Our team includes former senior civil servants, political advisers, campaigners, researchers and journalists. Many of us have worked at the most senior levels of government, Parliament and political campaigns, and we continue to be active across the political spectrum.

Public First is part of SHGH, a Group of cross-border advisory firms, guiding clients through an unprecedented period of change in policy, politics, regulation, and sustainable growth.

Infrastructure, transport and industrials are among Public First’s growing areas of specialism. Our senior team has advised Prime Ministers, Chancellors and Secretaries of State across multiple government departments.

We work with clients across the UK and internationally to navigate complex political and regulatory environments. Our work includes a mix of policy development, strategic advice, campaigns and research. It spans:

• Housing and development – planning reform, unlocking development sites, housing supply, and regeneration
• Transport – national and local transport strategy, major infrastructure projects and connectivity
• Water and utilities – regulation, investment, resilience and reform
• Economic growth and industrial strategy – productivity, place-based growth, investment, and life sciences
• Urban policy and devolution – local governance, infrastructure funding, and regional growth

We combine rigorous research with political insight and sector expertise to help clients understand public attitudes, navigate policy reform, and shape credible, impactful strategies. Our projects range from opinion research and economic modelling, to policy design, stakeholder strategy and thought leadership.

We are looking for someone with a strong interest in infrastructure, transport, housing and economic growth to join our team as an Analyst.

You will be curious about how policy decisions shape places, markets and industries. Above all, you will be enthusiastic about learning and developing your expertise in these areas.

This is an opportunity to work across a wide portfolio of projects, both domestic and global, with scope to develop a specialism over time. You might find yourself one week analysing public attitudes to new housing developments, and the next supporting work on water reform, industrial investment or transport infrastructure.

Ideally, you will have some experience working in industry or policy. However, please do not overly worry about whether you have the ‘right’ level of experience or background. We recruit for skill and organisational, and we will ensure the successful candidate is supported in a way that helps them to grow.

In the role you would:

• Keep up to date with emerging policy debates across housing, planning, transport, water, industrial policy and economic growth.
• Conduct rapid desk research on specific policies, programmes, markets and regulatory regimes.
• Support the delivery of project work across research, strategy and policy development.
• Convey thoughtful analysis in clear, compelling prose.
• Liaise with clients in a professional and organised manner, and begin to develop your own voice and profile on topics of interest. The ideal candidate will be freethinking, comfortable working with data and evidence and confident using Excel and Powerpoint. They will enjoy working collaboratively as part of a team and be willing to take the initiative.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and particularly encourage applications from candidates with disabilities and candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds.

We operate a hybrid working model, with a mix of home and office working. Our main office is based in Victoria. Many of us, including the founders, have young children and we work hard to be genuinely family-friendly.

For this role we expect the starting salary to be £30,000–£34,000
, depending on candidate experience.

We also offer a bonus programme, 5% pension contribution, 25 days annual leave, and private healthcare.

Please apply below by submitting your CV and a cover letter. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we encourage early applications.

Interviews will take place online (first round) and in person at our office, London (second round).

Closing date: 6th March 2026