At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead projects that shape HMRC's strategic compliance priorities and influence key decisions.
- Company: Join HMRC, a vital part of the UK government focused on fairness and compliance.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on tax compliance and help shape a fairer future.
- Qualifications: Experience in policy, strategy, or data analysis is essential.
Discover what it's like to work in a compliance role that makes an impact. Could you help us shape a stronger, fairer future? Your next career move starts here.
Compliance Strategy Delivery (CSD) sits at the heart of HMRC's compliance system. We guide the whole department on tax gap and compliance priorities, shaping decisions that inform ministers and our Executive Committee. We set strategy in a live operational environment - this is practical, real-world work that directly influences how HMRC focuses effort and delivers results.
CSD is a multidisciplinary directorate with varied, high-profile work across strategy, insight and delivery. We value curiosity, creativity and collaboration, and encourage people to connect ideas, challenge thinking and turn insight into action. If you want to shape priorities and make a tangible difference, now is the time to join us.
You’ll join our newly formed Strategic Prioritisation and Insight (SPI) team, one of three Deputy Director-led teams in CSD. This is an exciting opportunity to help build a team from the ground up, working across Grade 6-led areas Tax Risk Analysis and Strategic Prioritisation to influence HMRC-wide decisions.
You’ll lead a portfolio of projects that shape HMRC's strategic compliance priorities. You’ll bring together data, analysis and insight to answer critical questions such as:
- Where are the most significant compliance risks?
- What should HMRC prioritise to have the greatest impact?
- How can we improve the evidence that underpins these decisions?
Your work will directly influence senior leaders and help determine how HMRC tackles the tax gap. This includes:
- Analysing complex data and evidence, understanding both its strengths and limitations
- Translating analysis into clear, actionable insight for decision-makers
- Developing recommendations that shape strategy and priorities
- Developing the tools, methods and evidence we use to assess and mitigate risk
- Communicating complex issues in a clear and compelling way
You’ll be comfortable working with ambiguity, applying judgement and collaborating to deliver high-quality outcomes.
The job requires individuals to operate at the interface of policy, strategy and evidence. SPI heads two G6-led programmes on Tax Risk Analysis and Strategic Prioritisation. Postholders will:
- Lead a number of projects across these programmes
- Support colleagues on wider projects
- Contribute to programme planning
- Support more junior colleagues in their work
- Contribute to wider corporate, business and people objectives
You will work in a collaborative inter-disciplinary manner. You will be allocated work according to both the fit to your professional skillsets plus projects that will provide stretch - with support in place to promote your learning and development. Thus you will have opportunity to develop new skills by working across areas in a collegiate and supportive environment.
To illustrate our work, below is a list of anticipated SPI projects. Successful candidates should expect to lead in one of these areas and support and develop experience across several others.
- Translate data and evidence produced by others into targeted business insight, prioritisation frameworks and options: For example: highlight developing strategic choices and recommendations to senior stakeholders to advance HMRC compliance strategy; shape future evidence needs; prioritise targets, activity and resources.
- Develop strong prioritisation pathways and support cross-HMRC adoption. For example: work with stakeholders to build a shared understanding of priorities; develop persuasive narratives and options for senior leaders (incl. ExCom) that enable cross-HMRC mobilisation; support continuous improvement of prioritisation approaches and products, including commissioning analysis.
- Develop SPI's data and evidence function to produce targeted tax risk assessments and recommendations of key HMRC priorities: For example: triangulate existing reviews of management information data, qualitative and quantitative evidence and opinion; lead targeted secondary analyses and support strategic target setting.
- Further develop a prototype model of residual tax risk to help ensure HMRC interventions are optimal in closing the tax gap: Design and deliver stakeholder workshops to refine the model; introduce more quantitative inputs; embed application to ensure the model is used to prioritise strategic direction and plans.
- Develop forward-looking macro-economic trends, foresight and application. For example: identify emerging risks across tax regimes, behaviours and customer groups; interpret external trends e.g. in technology, society and macro-economic futures. Develop applied business propositions and influence senior stakeholders' decision-making.
Roles will typically include line management of 1-2 colleagues, alongside leading priority projects. You’ll work flexibly across different work areas, collaborating with colleagues from a range of disciplines to solve complex problems.
We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and as a team we are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where everyone can thrive.
Key professional skillsets:
Our roles are designed to bring together people with different professional backgrounds. We welcome applications from candidates with experience in policy, strategy, analysis, operations or related fields, and we encourage multi-disciplinary working across the team.
However, you must have demonstrable knowledge, capability and experience across all, and/or depth experience in at least one, of the following three key professional skillsets:
- Evidence into strategy and improvement - Experience collaborating with stakeholders to apply evidence and business insight to strategy, prioritisation and decision-making.
- Applied quantitative data analysis and insight - Working with management information systems or large quantitative databases.
- Macro-economic trends and horizon scanning - Using structured futures and foresight techniques e.g. environmental scanning or scenario planning.
Essential Criteria:
- Strong communication and influencing skills, including the ability to explain complex or technical issues clearly to non-specialist audiences.
- Ability to work effectively across organisational boundaries, collaborating with policy, operational and analytical colleagues.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use or interpret both quantitative and qualitative evidence.
- Sound judgement and decision-making, including the ability to form clear views even where evidence is incomplete or uncertain.
- Ability to deliver at pace, managing competing priorities in a high-profile or time-sensitive environment.
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience working in a tax, economic or fiscal policy context, or in a strategy, prioritisation or investment decision-making function.
- Experience in policy, strategy or analytical roles.
HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.
We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.
Successful candidates must undergo a standard (or equivalent) criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.
Strategic Prioritisation & Insight Lead - Croydon employer: HMRC
HMRC is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and well-being, offering a supportive work culture where innovation and collaboration thrive. With flexible and hybrid working policies, generous leave allowances, and a commitment to continuous improvement, employees can achieve a healthy work-life balance while contributing to meaningful public service. Located in Birmingham's vibrant Arena Central, this role as an Operating Model Manager provides the opportunity to lead impactful change within a large organisation, making a real difference in how technology services are delivered.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Prioritisation & Insight Lead - Croydon
✨Join Compliance Communities
Get involved in compliance and risk communities — both online and offline. Look for forums, LinkedIn groups, or even local meetups where compliance pros hang out. You never know who might drop a job opportunity your way!
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye out for compliance and risk management conferences and workshops in your area. These events are a goldmine for networking, and they often have job boards or recruiters on-site looking for new talent. Plus, it’s a chance to learn what's trending in the field.
✨Leverage Your University Career Services
If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, head over to your university's career services. Many companies, including those in compliance, actively recruit fresh talent through these services, so make sure you tap into that resource.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge Online
Start writing articles or blog posts about compliance topics that interest you. Share them on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and passion. This not only builds your presence in the field but can also catch the attention of companies like HMRC looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Prioritisation & Insight Lead - Croydon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!
Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at HMRC. Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!
How to prepare for a job interview at HMRC
✨Master the Regulations
Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!
✨Know Your Tools
Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!
✨Align with Company Culture
Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with HMRC’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
