Senior Policy Adviser

The Personal Investment Management and Financial Advice Association (PIMFA) is the trade association for firms that provide personal investment services and financial advice to everyone from individuals and families to charities, pension funds, trusts and companies. We get involved in all sorts of interesting topics including savings and investments for young people, new technology and its impact on business, cyber security and resilience, social impact and ESG, regulatory change and political and government affairs. As the leading trade association, we shape the future of personal investment and financial advice.

PIMFA is a dynamic place to work. We are a small, friendly, collaborative team with big influence, with a culture of innovation and excellence, giving the opportunity to be part of conversations that matter nationally. In 2023 we were awarded as one of the Sunday Times ‘Best Small Places to work’ in the UK. We have a can-do attitude, which makes PIMFA a great place to work. Our team consists of hardworking, fresh-thinking, dedicated individuals. You will enjoy a competitive salary of £55k plus good benefits and flexible working.

As a Senior Policy Adviser at PIMFA, you will take ownership of important matters affecting the UK’s wealth management and financial advice sector. You will help our members navigate regulatory and operational change, bringing them together to develop a collective voice and practical solutions to shared challenges. This role will sit within the PIMFA Policy and Regulatory Team with a clear operational focus and awareness. Ideally, you will have an understanding of regulations and policies, as well as technical issues in areas such as custody and settlement, transaction reporting, CASS, tax, technology change management, cybersecurity and resilience, and digital assets – and how these impact firms, clients, and the sector as a whole.

Examples of significant industry operational changes PIMFA is progressing with the government, regulator and its members include the Digitisation Task Force recommendations and T+1 Accelerated Settlement. You will engage directly with members, regulators, government and industry stakeholders, facilitating discussion, shaping projects, and ensuring high-quality delivery on time. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is motivated and has a genuine interest in, as well as relevant experience in, financial services operations and/or financial services policy and regulation.

As a Senior Policy Adviser at PIMFA, you will:

• Report to the Head of Regulatory Policy and Compliance.
• Act as policy lead on vital matters affecting the UK’s wealth management and financial advice sector.
• Identify and engage with members and stakeholders to analyse challenges, shape opportunities, and put forward clear positions and solutions.
• Convene committees or working groups, supporting a member Chair or taking a Secretariat role if required, creating value-added agendas and preparing high-quality materials.
• Provide a high-value service to member firms, supporting them on regulatory and operational change.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with regulators, government, statutory bodies and industry partners.
• Represent and speak on behalf of PIMFA at conferences, seminars and roundtables.
• Track developments in regulation, policy and business practice, assess their impact, and shape PIMFA’s response.
• Contribute to wider PIMFA initiatives, supporting our growth, reach and membership value.

Responsibilities:

• Draft consultation responses, policy papers, briefing notes, reports and presentations.
• Organise and run committees, working groups and workshops, ensuring agendas and outputs add value.
• Facilitate meetings and discussions to deliver clear outcomes, capturing minutes and actions and following through on execution.
• Manage member and stakeholder relationships, including day-to-day queries and follow-up.
• Monitor UK regulatory and policy developments relevant to your focus areas and share insight with the team.
• Represent PIMFA and its members on various industry, government and regulatory bodies and groups.
• Collaborate with colleagues across business development, training and events.

Qualifications:

• Around 5 years’ professional experience, ideally in financial services, consulting, legal, regulatory or policy roles.
• Familiarity with the wealth management and/or financial advice sector is desirable.
• Ability to understand and interpret regulation and policy, and assess impact on firms.
• Working knowledge of regulatory compliance, technology and operational issues in financial services, with exposure to areas such as custody and settlement, transaction reporting, CASS, tax or technology change, such as the adoption of AI, is an advantage.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with confidence facilitating discussions, leading workshops and presenting to stakeholders.
• Proven ability to deliver projects to a high standard on time, with excellent organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Self-initiating and well-organised, and comfortable working in a collaborative, remote-first team with appropriate support and structure provided.
• Motivated, ambitious and team-oriented, with the ability to build strong relationships across a wide range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrable interest in financial services, regulation and policy.

What is in it for you?

PIMFA was recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the UK’s Best Places to Work in 2023, and we have continued to build on that award to create a dynamic, forward-looking organisation. As a fully remote team, flexibility is at the heart of our work approach. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits to support you as a valued member of the team:

• A permanent, full-time opportunity with a competitive annual salary, up to £55k (although flexible part-time arrangements may be considered, salary on a pro-rata basis).
• Annual discretionary bonus (on completion of probation, based on individual and firm performance).
• Death in Service.
• Workplace pension scheme (on completion of probation).
• Access to private medical scheme (on completion of probation).
• 25 days holiday (pro-rata for part-time) plus office closure over Christmas and New Year.
• Genuine work-life balance with flexible working.
• Predominantly home-based but expected to attend regular internal and external meetings as required (travel expenses paid for all travel from home base); access to co-working space available in London but with hubs in other UK cities (Manchester and Reading).
• Continuous learning and development.
• Opportunity to grow with a supportive management structure to help you realise your potential.
• Holistic support.
• An inclusive workplace - PIMFA is an equal opportunities employer and was voted in the top 100 best places to work, small businesses by the Sunday Times 2023.