Director, Financial Services

The Treasury is the United Kingdom’s economics and finance ministry. We are responsible for formulating and implementing the government’s financial and economic policy. Our aim is to raise the rate of sustainable growth and achieve rising prosperity and a better quality of life with economic and employment opportunities for all. A Treasury career offers an exciting opportunity to be part of decision making that affects the whole of the UK.

The Treasury plays a critical role at the heart of Government in the UK and, together with the Cabinet Office and Number 10, forms the centre of the Government and wider Civil Service. The Treasury is a small, agile and professional institution organised around thematic Director-led groups of standing and project teams. This role can be based in either London or Darlington. Some travel will be expected as part of the role. The Darlington Economic Campus is a pioneering cross-government hub which brings together departments and public organisations which lead on some of the most important economic issues of the day.

This is an exciting and challenging leadership role as one of the Directors of Financial Services and a part of the collective leadership of the Treasury. The Director jointly leads the Financial Services Group, which collectively advises the government on how to promote a stable and efficient Financial Services sector, to deliver excellent outcomes for consumers and businesses, and enhance the UK's position as a global hub for financial services and support economic growth across the country.

The postholder will be responsible for leading on the international side of the Financial Services agenda, including:

• Delivering on the growth and competitiveness of the UK through our international work (which involves significant international travel)
• Maintaining and improving the performance of the UK as a place for international financial services firms to do business
• Driving forward the competitiveness agenda, including how to adapt regulatory policy to keep pace with the rapid pace of technological change in the Financial Services industry.
• Policy development and delivery on the regulation and competitiveness of the UK’s world leading financial markets

You will also be responsible, with the Co-Director (Matt Cornford), for leading a large and dynamic Group which has inclusion, diversity and belonging at its core. The post-holder will report to the Director General of Financial Services, Gwyneth Nurse.

Key responsibilities:

• Advising the Chancellor and Economic Secretary on financial services policy, taking account of the Treasury’s fiscal and economic objectives.
• Delivering new policies to drive the Chancellor’s financial services strategy forwards including leading the dynamic international agenda, the wholesale markets, prudential regulation of the banks and sustainable finance and delivering on relevant aspects of the Leeds Reforms.
• Jointly leading the Financial Services Group and its Group Management Team with the Co-Director. This will include direct line management and oversight of International Policy and Partnerships, Trade and Emerging Markets, Securities and Markets and Prudential and Sustainability.
• Undertaking a significant representational function internationally – including leading dialogues with other major financial centres and managing relationships with top players in the financial services industry including banks, asset managers and stock exchanges.
• Leading the relationship with the Financial Conduct Authority on wholesale markets and jointly leading Treasury’s relationship with the Prudential Regulatory Authority. This requires building trust and credibility with senior regulators and working together on key issues of financial services policy.
• Building relationships with Ministers, special advisers, other government departments (DBT, FCDO, Cabinet Office, No. 10), international players and external representative bodies on financial services issues.
• As a Director, you will also be part of the visible leadership of HM Treasury as a whole.

Person Specification

While in post, the successful candidate will be expected to perform well across the full range of Senior Civil Service behaviours set out in the Success Profile framework and demonstrate commitment to the Civil Service values. The criteria for the purpose of selection are:

• Outstanding leadership skills including a proven track record of leading high-performing, inclusive teams to deliver in a complex, fast-paced environment (Leadership).
• Strong strategic vision and the ability to develop creative, innovative policy in an environment of rapid technological change (Seeing the Big Picture).
• Proven ability to lead a large, complex portfolio of policy development and legislation (Delivering at Pace).
• Proven track record of working successfully and influencing senior leaders either in the field of financial regulation or a similarly technical environment (Communicating and Influencing).

Desirable criteria:

• A detailed understanding of financial regulation and the financial services industry.
• Experience of operating in an international environment.
• Experience of policy making.

To apply for this post please apply via Civil Service Jobs by no later than 23:55 on the 23 December. We can only accept applications via the Civil Service Jobs platform. Applications should consist of a CV and personal statement outlining your experience and skills against those detailed in the person specification.

Some of the benefits our people love!

• 25 days’ annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the King's birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant)
• Flexible working patterns (job-share, condensed hours)
• A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and average employer contributions of 28%
• Generous parental leave packages
• Onsite restaurant and coffee bar. The London office also offers a gym, showers and prayer room
• Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving
• Access to a retail discounts and cashback site
• A Rental Deposit Advance Scheme to help meet the total costs of deposits for privately rented homes
• A range of active staff networks, based around interests (e.g. analysts, music society, sports and social club) and diversity

At HM Treasury we have an exceptionally broad remit; our work touches every citizen of the country. So, it’s important our employees come from the widest possible range of backgrounds, bringing us the widest possible range of perspectives and ways of thinking. We are committed to ensuring that all staff are able to realise their potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance. If you need any reasonable adjustments to take part in the selection process, please tell us about this in your online application form or speak to the recruitment team.