Lead Economist

Position: Lead Economist – 12 Month Fixed Term Contract

Job Title:

Lead Economist – Regulatory

Location:

National (Edinburgh and Leeds) and London.

Salary: £59,100 – £73,700 (National) or £64,900 – £81,000 (London) based on skills and experience.

Recruitment contact:
Riley Fox,  Applications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via social media or email will not be accepted.

About The FCA and Team

We regulate financial services firms in the UK to keep financial markets fair, thriving and effective. By joining us, you’ll play a key part in protecting consumers, driving economic growth, and shaping the future of UK financial services.

The Economics Division is formed by a vibrant mix of backgrounds and works closely with colleagues across the FCA to ensure high‑quality analysis and effective choices across all aspects of FCA regulation.

Lead Economist – Roles

• Consumers and Growth (Consumers, Econometrics and Behavioural Unit)
• Growth Strategic Analysis (Strategic Economic Analysis – Growth and Markets Team)
• Horizon scanning and futures (Economic Strategy team)

Role Responsibilities

• Shape the Future of Consumer Policy:
  Establish and coordinate a multi‑year academic research programme, guiding internal and external studies to close evidence gaps and deliver insights that drive economic growth.
• Build Influence and
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Lead engagement with industry, academia, and think tanks to share research, strengthen the FCA’s evidence base, and create a community that shapes policy and practice.
• Shape Strategic Decisions:
  Guide economic analysis on policy choices and their impact on growth, influencing choices at the FCA’s most senior levels, including the Executive Committee and Board.
• Champion Growth Across the FCA:
  Embed growth priorities by collaborating with analytical, policy, and operational teams to identify and drive actions that deliver measurable benefits.
• Communicate and Inspire:
  Support the FCA’s Growth Strategy by contributing to speeches, parliamentary hearings, and major events.
• Guide Futures Thinking:
  Guide the development and implementation of horizon scanning and scenario planning, ensuring our approach to future trends is rigorous, inclusive, and delivers real strategic benefits.
• Anticipate Industry
  
  Shifts:
  
  Manage the FCA’s futures programme – tracking PESTLE trends, shaping strategic scenarios, and overseeing weak signals to inform long‑term regulatory decisions.
• Embed Strategic Insight:
  Maximise the value of futures work by collaborating across Strategy, Policy, Competition, and Supervisory teams, making it a core driver of the FCA’s strategic approach.

Minimum Skills Required

• Prior economic experience, with a degree in Economics or with at least 50% of the modules in Economics.
• Demonstrated experience and ability to lead effective engagement with internal and external stakeholders, developing impactful relationships and influencing decision makers.
• Proven experience guiding multiple complex pieces of analysis, ensuring risks are managed appropriately and timelines are stretching but achievable.

Essential for Consumers and Growth

• Evidence of leading, reviewing and quality assuring technical analytical reports for analytical rigour, clarity of communication, and suitability of conclusions and recommendations.
• Experience working with academics or external parties to deliver and communicate economic analysis.
• Experience managing procurement processes for economic analysis, including writing project tender documents, reviewing submissions, working with commercial and procurement teams, and managing external suppliers to deliver high quality outputs whilst working at pace.

Essential for Growth Strategic Analysis

• Experience with economic growth and productivity as economic concepts and applying them in a professional context.
• Ability to guide, co‑coordinate, and deliver proportionate analysis at pace.
• Ability to communicate analysis effectively with senior non‑technical audiences.
• Experience in line‑management, or extensive experience in project‑managing staff.

Essential for Horizon Scanning and Futures

• Demonstrated expertise in futures approaches – particularly PESTLE trends and Scenario methods.
• Ability to lead project teams and engage with…