Economist and Strategy Lead for Government Economic Service, HM TREASURY

We seek a proactive economist who demonstrates leadership, strong analytical skills, and effective communication to advance the Government Economic Service profession vision: “to champion economics in government, and to promote the use of high-impact, high-quality economic analysis provided by excellent economists.”

About The Team

The Government Economic and Social Research Team (GESR) is a friendly, dynamic group that supports the Government Social Research (GSR) and Government Economic Service (GES) professions. They help attract, develop, connect, and retain skilled analysts throughout the government. We work across government to ensure social researchers and economists have the resources required to deliver high-quality analysis and evidence for policymakers across all UK Government and public service functions.

We also partner with external organisations (e.g., Royal Economics Society, Society for Professional Economists, Discover Economics) to improve evidence use in policy making, keep GES members updated with the latest analysis techniques, and promote diversity in perspectives and analyst hiring.

The team is divided into Strategy and Operations groups. Together, they deliver all policies and commitments in the GSR and GES Strategies. They work closely with senior leaders. This is a high-profile team in both areas, offering many chances to engage with senior collaborators, develop leadership skills, and grow professionally inside and outside HMT.

Diversity and inclusion of people and ideas are central to our mission. You must be committed to role modelling the positive and inclusive behaviour we expect of our membership. The team works across two locations, London and Darlington, and occasional travel is encouraged between the two. If long-distance travel between sites is difficult for you, a range of reasonable adjustments can be arranged.

Responsibilities

• Provide authoritative advice on developing the economics profession to GES leaders, including the Joint Heads of the GES.
• Act as the lead professional economist for the GESR team.
• Lead the technical response to the 2026 external review of GES professional assessment, developing and recommending options for updated economics testing.
• Lead delivery of the GES Strategy and development of the next GES strategy from 2027.
• Line manage and coach the HEO GES Engagement Lead.
• Oversee the GES secretariat function, supporting key cross-government boards and meetings with senior leads.
• Oversee engagement with the 3,700-strong GES membership, including delivery of the annual GES Conference and a regular rhythm of member communications and events.
• Coordinate delivery and reporting for the current GES Strategy, which outlines priorities for a profession with 3,700 members across more than 50 departments.
• Improve economics capability throughout the Civil Service and increase its impact on public sector delivery and government policy.
• Deliver clear and decisive advice to GES leaders and departments across the Civil Service.
• Ensure governance, technical assessment, recruitment, professional development, and member engagement are efficient and consistent with the GES Strategy and the GES Technical Framework.
• Build direct working relationships with Departmental Chief Economists, Directors of Analysis, and other senior economists across the Civil Service.

Requirements

The successful candidate will have evidence of:

• Operating strategically, understanding the wider policy and collaborator landscape, and aligning work to organisational or cross-government priorities.
• Building positive relationships with senior partners and communicating clearly and confidently to influence decisions or secure engagement.
• Using analysis, judgment, and input from interested parties to make or support effective decisions at the right level.
• Working with economics, economists, or analytical professions to deliver strategic projects, improve capability, or strengthen professional standards.

Applicants for the role are required to be either:

• An existing member of the GES profession, or
• Meet the minimum academic requirements for GES membership as set out in the GES membership criteria.

Benefits

• 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). Additionally, flexitime systems allow employees to take up to an additional 2 days off each month.
• Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours).
• Generous parental and adoption leave packages.
• Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions of 28.97%.
• Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme and season ticket advances.
• A range of active staff networks, based around interests (e.g., analysts, music society, sports and social club) and diversity.