Policy and Public Affairs Lead

We are currently recruiting a Policy and Public Affairs Lead for a Permanent contract.

With this role being hybrid, you will work from home and in our London, Oxford or Edinburgh hubs. Colleagues are encouraged to flex their workplace and timing to suit their needs, within core business hours, with formalised flexible working agreements available.

The role holder will lead on public affairs activity for the IFoA that influences government, regulators and key stakeholders in line with the IFoA’s strategic objectives. They will also, with other policy colleagues, lead on the development and delivery of policy work that promotes actuarial insight and voice in policy, legislative and regulatory debates.

• Design and deliver public affairs strategies to influence:
  • HM Treasury, DWP, BEIS and other relevant Government departments
  • UK Parliament (MPs, peers, select committees)
  • UK regulators, including the PRA, FCA, TPR, Lloyds and FRC
  • Devolved UK administrations
• Horizon scan to identify and exploit opportunities for the IFoA to advise ministers, parliamentarians, officials and advisors on policy development, including opportunities for collaboration with others to maximise impact.

• Lead on the development and delivery of policy positions on issues central to actuarial work, including, but not limited to:
  • Insurance and financial services regulation
  • Pensions policy and long‑term savings
  • Risk management and capital frameworks
  • Data, modelling, AI and ethical use of analytics
  • Climate change, sustainability and systemic risk
• Translate complex actuarial and technical analysis and input into clear, accessible policy outputs.
• Commission and oversee policy research, working closely with the Practice Boards and other actuarial experts as well as the Research and Thought Leadership committee.
• Lead on development of IFoA responses to government or regulator consultations and identify follow‑up engagement opportunities where appropriate.

• Work in partnership with actuarial volunteers to develop positions that reflect professional expertise and public interest and to agree key priorities for policy engagement.
• Lead on IFoA external engagement with parliament, government and public bodies/regulators.
• Develop external networks and relationships with key stakeholders to support the IFoA’s ability to influence in priority areas.

• Mentor and develop policy and public affairs colleagues and manage external advisers (as required).
• Provide policy and public affairs advice to, and prepare high‑quality papers/updates for IFoA leadership and governance boards and committees, including Practice Boards.
• Contribute to organisational strategy, business planning and risk management.

• Head of Policy and Public Affairs;
  Director of Regulation, Policy and Risk and colleagues within the Policy and Public Affairs Team
• CEO, President, IFoA Board Chair
• Colleagues across Marketing, Communications, Research, and Communities
• Practice Boards and other volunteer groups

• Policymakers, including ministers and elected representatives, government officials and regulators
• Think tanks, trade and academic bodies, professional associations and actuarial employers

• Providing advice to IFoA leadership and boards/committees to inform decisions on public affairs strategies.
• Prioritising competing policy areas and deciding where policy activity should be targeted.
• Managing conflicting and/or competing views of members to reach consensus on core narratives and the organisation’s key policy priorities.

• Substantial experience in policy and public affairs, ideally within financial services, pensions, insurance, regulation or a professional body environment.
• Strong strategic political awareness, understanding of government and parliamentary processes and ability to develop public affairs strategies.
• Ability to understand complex and technical policy issues quickly and form opinions on policy options and positions and advise as appropriate.
• Credibility with external senior stakeholders and…