At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver high-quality economic policy advice and analysis on complex issues.
- Company: Join the FCA, shaping the future of UK financial services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days annual leave, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to lead projects and mentor junior colleagues.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on consumers and drive economic growth in the UK.
- Qualifications: Graduate degree in Economics and experience in wholesale financial markets.
The predicted salary is between 60700 - 75600 £ per year.
Salary: National (Edinburgh and Leeds) £60,700 to £75,600; London £66,600 to £83,100 (salary offered based on skills and experience)
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 finance services. Economics is at the heart of the FCA’s work and underpins our regulatory decisions across wholesale and retail markets.
Role Responsibilities
- Using your economic knowledge and experience, you will deliver high-quality policy advice and analysis across a range of live policy issues, with a particular focus on wholesale markets, including capital markets.
- You will produce careful analysis to tight deadlines and undertake in-depth research on complex policy questions.
- As a Lead Economist you will manage multiple workstreams, design and manage projects, lead cost-benefit analysis for proposed interventions, and ensure outputs are robust.
- You will also provide line management and day-to-day oversight of junior colleagues, support senior management in planning and prioritising work, and act as an escalation point for complex issues.
Minimum Requirements
- Solid academic foundation in Economics, with a graduate level degree or higher in economics or a closely related field and relevant professional experience.
- Solid knowledge of wholesale financial markets, gained through professional experience or academic study.
- Demonstrable experience delivering cost-benefit analysis in a high-volume or policy-driven environment.
Essential Skills and Experience
- High-quality economic advice on regulatory and/or public policy issues.
- Extensive experience conducting robust economic policy analysis.
- Ability to work in ambiguous environments, identify key policy questions, and structure complex problems to produce clear, actionable insights.
- Well-developed stakeholder management skills, building trust-based relationships with internal and external partners.
- Effective communication skills, translating complex concepts into clear, accessible messages for non-technical audiences.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary analytical projects, planning, prioritising, coordinating team activities, and maintaining quality under pressure.
- Commitment to continuous learning, self-awareness and resilience.
Benefits
25 days annual leave plus
Lead Economist in Leeds employer: Financial Conduct Authority
The FCA is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Edinburgh or Leeds, where you can make a tangible impact on the financial services sector. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will have access to continuous learning opportunities and the chance to lead multidisciplinary projects, all while enjoying a competitive salary and generous benefits package. Join us to be part of a collaborative culture that values innovation and integrity, ensuring your contributions help shape the future of UK finance.
Contact Details:
Financial Conduct Authority Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Economist in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and economics sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to economic policy and analysis. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to build your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio of your work that highlights your economic analyses and projects. This can be a great conversation starter during interviews and demonstrates your skills effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Economist in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Lead Economist role. Highlight your economic knowledge and experience, especially in wholesale markets, to show us you’re the perfect fit!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills align with the job requirements. Use specific examples of your experience in delivering cost-benefit analysis and managing projects to make your application stand out.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We love clarity! Make sure your points are easy to understand, especially when explaining complex economic concepts. Remember, we want to see your communication skills shine!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details directly and ensures you don’t miss any important updates about your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at Financial Conduct Authority
✨Know Your Economics
Brush up on your economic theories and principles, especially those relevant to wholesale markets. Be ready to discuss how your academic background and professional experience align with the FCA's focus on delivering high-quality policy advice.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare examples of your previous work where you conducted cost-benefit analysis or tackled complex policy questions. Highlight how you structured these problems and the actionable insights you provided, as this will demonstrate your ability to thrive in ambiguous environments.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Management
Think of instances where you've built trust-based relationships with stakeholders. Be ready to share how you communicated complex concepts to non-technical audiences, as effective communication is key for this role.
✨Leadership Experience Matters
As a Lead Economist, you'll be managing junior colleagues. Prepare to discuss your leadership style and any experiences you have in coordinating team activities, prioritising tasks, and maintaining quality under pressure. This will show that you're ready to take on the responsibilities of the role.
