Head of Regulatory Analysis / Appraisal and Assurance in Southampton

Are you an experienced economist ready to lead high-impact regulatory analysis that shapes maritime policy? Do you thrive on influencing senior stakeholders and driving evidence-based policy? Have you delivered impactful analytical programmes that improve outcomes in the public interest? If so, we’d love to hear from you!

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is seeking a Head of Regulatory Analysis and a Head of Appraisal and Assurance. The MCA is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport, providing multiple statutory functions as flag, port and coastal State and delivering international obligations for search and rescue, environmental protection and responding to major maritime incidents.

Both opportunities will join MCA’s Analytical function which is a key enabler for the Agency to ensure we can deliver against this remit. As part of Finance and Analysis, Economic Analysis is responsible for MCA’s Analytical Function and the provision of analysis to inform decision making within the agency with the aim of delivering better outcomes in the public interest.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King’s birthday.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

For both roles, you will report into the Assistant Director Economic Analysis, where you will lead on the provision of high quality and robust analysis to inform MCA’s Regulatory programme. You will provide leadership across the Agency on analytical matters and enable policy to be delivered effectively within the maritime sector. As a key member of the Economic Analysis Team, you will provide effective and inspiring leadership to the Regulatory Analysis team, fostering a high performing culture through continuous improvement.

Head of Regulatory Analysis

As the Head of Regulatory Analysis you will be responsible for the following:

• Leading analytical input for MCA’s regulatory programme, including assurance for high-profile issues, ministerial briefings, and Parliamentary Questions.
• Overseeing team input to impact assessments and post-implementation reviews, providing senior economist assurance.
• Providing senior analytical advice on domestic and international maritime policy, promoting best practice in regulation and assurance.
• Developing a strong understanding of MCA’s strategic and operational priorities.
• Building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders to influence decisions and policy development.
• Embedding strong analytical practice with policy teams, including quality assurance, monitoring and evaluation.
• Managing key external stakeholders, including the Better Regulation Executive and Regulatory Policy Committee.
• Leading analysis for the Government’s Regulatory Action Plan, including economic impacts and business costs.

Head of Appraisal and Assurance

As the Head of Appraisal and Assurance you will be responsible for the following:

• Leading analytical input for MCA’s investment programme, in line with the Analytical Assurance Framework, including assurance for high-profile issues and ministerial briefings to support transparent, evidence-based decision making.
• Overseeing team input to business cases and evaluations, providing senior economist approval and assurance.
• Leading assurance of MCA’s spending through governance routes, including supporting Business Case Committee approval and guidance across investment decisions.
• Providing senior analytical advice on investment options, using economic appraisal techniques, optioneering and uncertainty analysis to inform evidence-based decisions.
• Developing and embedding MCA’s Analytical Assurance Framework, including guidance, tools and training.
• Developing a strong understanding of MCA’s strategic and operational priorities.
• Building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders to influence decisions and policy development.
• Embedding strong analytical practice with policy teams, including quality assurance, monitoring and evaluation.

Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills they need. We aim to empower line managers to create teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public.