Head of Markets and Competition Research

The purpose of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is to serve the public interest and support UK economic growth by upholding high standards of corporate governance, corporate reporting, audit and actuarial work. We are the UK Competent Authority for audit. We also set the UK Corporate Governance and Stewardship Codes as well as UK standards for accounting, auditing and actuarial work, and monitor and take action to promote the quality of corporate reporting and operate independent enforcement arrangements for accountants and actuaries. Further information about our role can be found at www.frc.org.uk.

The FRC is seeking to appoint a Head of Markets and Competition Research as part of its Market Intelligence & Insights (MII) function. The MII function comprises three teams – Economic Analysis, Data Analytics, and Markets and Competition Research – and is a strategic enabling function providing holistic, evidence-led research and analysis to support the FRC’s work, including policy development and implementation. The MII function supports the FRC to understand the markets relevant for its work, including the audit market, and its impact on these markets, and has adopted a matrix-working approach to deliver work.

The role:

The role involves leading the Markets and Competition Research Team within the MII function, providing research and relevant related activities, such as horizon scanning and market studies, to support FRC work. This will include:

• Acting as an organisational head of profession for research at the FRC;

• Planning, developing, and coordinating the delivery of research and related activities to meet FRC needs;

• Leading, overseeing and line-managing work of the Markets and Competition Research Team to ensure good quality and timeliness;

• Building the capability of the Markets and Competition Research Team to support individual staff development and the continuous improvement of the wider MII function;

• Proactively engaging with FRC staff/teams on their research needs and developing appropriate research frameworks and processes for wider FRC use;

• Engaging with external stakeholders in the scoping and delivery of research and related activities and to keep abreast of relevant developments;

• Championing and implementing matrix-working within the MII function and the FRC; and

• Contributing in leading and developing the MII function, including by deputising for Director of MII.

The person

We are seeking an individual with a relevant degree and/or professional qualifications, with substantial experience in delivering research in private and/or public sector organisations -ideally research related to UK businesses/markets/competition in a regulatory or government body.

You will have:

• Demonstrable leadership experience in managing research teams and overseeing research activities, ensuring good quality and identifying opportunities for improvements, enhancements or innovation;

• A strong understanding and experience of applying research in evidence-based policy making and strategy development;

• Expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and analysis;

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to articulate complex technical issues clearly and write for publication;

• The ability to analyse and react quickly, taking the initiative and thinking creatively; and

• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish credibility quickly and influence at senior levels.

The FRC offers remuneration packages, including 30 days annual leave, ability to buy extra leave.

• Generous employer pension contribution of 10%.

• Staff Employee Assistance Programme including confidential counselling and work life services.

• The FRC offers staff the opportunity to save at least 25% on the purchase of a new bike through the Cycle to work scheme.

• The FRC has a strong work/life balance ethos.

The FRC believes that equality of opportunity and diversity is important in the work that we do and we are strongly committed to being an inclusive employer. Our values of being fair and independent supports this commitment. We’re a signatory to the Government’s Disability Confident scheme, which means that we guarantee an interview to any disabled candidates entering under the scheme, should they meet the minimum criteria for a role.

Equal opportunities monitoring is an important means of demonstrating and implementing our commitment to promoting equality of opportunity and diversity. Completing our diversity form will assist the FRC to identify any barriers that prevent access to employment and career development for certain groups of people, and to develop solutions, such as action plans, new policies and practices.

The role is based in our central Birmingham office. The post holder should be able to work flexibly to support the team’s activities and also provide cover within the FRC as necessary. The FRC operates a hybrid working arrangement with its workforce. The FRC operates a hybrid working arrangement, with a expectation that 40% of a person’s working time will be located at one of our offices per week, with precise arrangements to be agreed between the employee and the line manager.

Please apply by following the link our website https://www.frc.org.uk/frc-for-you/careers and uploading a copy of your CV and covering letter as a single document upload. In the covering letter, please set out, by reference to the person specification above how you meet the required skillset.