Senior Policy Manager - Money in Westminster

About Public First, an SHGH Company. Public First is a specialist consultancy that helps businesses, charities, philanthropists and public bodies improve public policy. Based in London, we have worked in more than thirty international markets. We are part think tank, part strategic consultancy, part research company, and part communications agency. In practice, we bring together the disciplines that make policy change happen: research and analysis, economics, political insight, strategy and communications.

Our team includes former senior civil servants, political advisers, campaigners, researchers and journalists. Many of us have worked at the most senior levels of government, parliament and political movements, and we continue to be active across the political spectrum. Public First is part of SHGH, a group of cross-border advisory firms, guiding clients through an unprecedented period of change in policy, politics, regulation, and sustainable growth.

In 2025, Public First launched a new team to bring together our existing research and policy expertise on money and work – covering financial services, household finances and the future of the labour market. Our projects look at how financial services can support consumers, businesses and the wider economy. We also examine money from the perspective of family finances, and the challenges individuals and employers face in the world of work.

The team is led by Andrew Harrop, a former think tank director who has over 20 years' experience in shaping public policy on work and pensions and has advised dozens of politicians and senior officials. Our current clients include major financial services firms, trade bodies, think tanks and charities.

We are now looking for an experienced professional to take on a senior role within the team – with a particular focus on financial services and money.

The Role: We are recruiting a Senior Policy Manager to play a leading role in delivering and shaping our policy work on money and financial services. This role is suited to someone with substantial experience (typically 3 to 5 years) in policy, research, consultancy or a closely-related field, who is ready to take ownership of projects and act as a trusted adviser to clients.

Senior Policy Managers at Public First lead projects day-to-day, manage and support more junior colleagues, and make a strong intellectual contribution to Public First's work. You will work closely with Directors to design projects, develop insights and arguments, and support the growth and profile of our practice.

The ideal candidate - We are looking for someone who:

• Is an outstanding communicator. You will have a strong track record of producing clear, persuasive written work for senior audiences, and be confident presenting and discussing complex issues with clients, policymakers and sector leaders.
• Brings credibility on financial services policy, consumer finance or a closely-related area. You may come from government, a think tank, charity, business, trade body, consultancy or other relevant setting, but you should be comfortable engaging at a relatively senior level on financial services and household finance.
• Can lead complex projects independently. You will be experienced in managing multifaceted projects, setting direction, overseeing timelines, and ensuring high-quality outputs.
• Is comfortable working directly with clients. You should have experience of building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, handling client discussions and contributing to proposals or new work.
• Provides intellectual leadership. You will contribute ideas, frame problems clearly, challenge assumptions where appropriate, and help shape Public First's thinking and voice on financial policy.
• Supports and develops others. You should be motivated by helping more junior colleagues grow, providing constructive feedback, and contributing to a strong, collaborative team and organisational culture.

Example responsibilities:

• Project leadership: Leading projects day-to-day, with responsibility for delivery, quality and coordination across the team.
• Research and analysis: Conducting desk research, focus groups, polling, analysing quantitative and qualitative data, ensuring outputs are rigorous, well-structured and persuasive.
• Advocacy and engagement: Shaping and supporting advocacy and engagement strategies linked to our research, including developing policy recommendations, briefings and messaging, and engaging with policymakers, parliamentarians, sector leaders and other stakeholders.
• Client relationships: Acting as a day-to-day lead for clients on projects, building trusted relationships and ensuring work meets client needs and expectations.
• Team working: Collaborating effectively with colleagues across Public First, communicating clearly about progress and challenges, and contributing positively to team and organisational culture.

Location and Salary: We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and particularly encourage applications from candidates with disabilities and candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds. We operate a hybrid working model, with a mix of home and office working. Our main office is based in Victoria. Many of us, including the founders, have young children and we work hard to be genuinely family-friendly. Salary will depend on experience. For this role we expect salary to range from £40,000-£55,000 depending on candidate experience. We also offer a profit-share programme, 5 per cent employer pension contribution, 25 days annual leave and private healthcare.

How to apply: Please apply below by submitting your CV and answering these three questions in the boxes provided: Why you are interested in this role? How do your skills and experience align with the requirements of the job? Why would you be a good fit for Public First? Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we encourage early applications. Interviews will either be online or in person at our office in Victoria, London. Closing date: 9am, Monday 26th January 2026.