Director General - Economics and Chief EconomicAdviser

HM Treasury; Whinfield; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK governmental department is seeking a Director General to lead macroeconomic policy. The role involves advising the Chancellor on fiscal policy, leading engagement with key economic bodies, and managing two large groups within the department. An ideal candidate has significant experience in economic policy, strong leadership skills, and a proven ability to engage with senior stakeholders. This position offers comprehensive benefits, including flexible working options and a generous pension scheme.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus 8 public holidays

Flexible working patterns

Generous parental leave packages

Defined Benefit pension scheme

Cycle-to-work scheme

Qualifications

• Proven track record in economic policy management.
• Ability to lead and engage effectively with senior stakeholders.
• Experience in fiscal policy and economic management.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership of macroeconomic policy.
• Act as principal adviser to the Chancellor and Treasury Ministers.
• Lead two Treasury Groups comprising 200 staff.
• Champion economics in government as head of the Government Economic Service.

Skills

Leadership

Economic policy understanding

Influencing skills

Communication skills

Job description

Are you interested in playing an important high profile role in the senior leadership team of HM Treasury? We are seeking a highly motivated leader with an outstanding track record in economic policy, and with excellent leadership, influencing and communication skills.

The Director General provides overall leadership of macroeconomic policy within HM Treasury. This includes the primary mission to increase economic growth and fiscal consolidation, in order to deliver sustainable public finances and fiscal policy. The postholder also leads departmental engagement with the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee, who set interest rates; the Office for Budget Responsibility, who provide economic and fiscal forecasts; and the Debt Management Office.

The Director General (‘the DG’) role reports to the Permanent Secretary and is the principal Treasury adviser to the Chancellor on macroeconomic and fiscal policy. The DG is a member of the Treasury’s Executive Management Board (EMB) and part of the collective leadership of the Treasury, a department of c.2,000 staff, as well as the head of the Government Economic Service (GES), providing leadership to economists across government. In addition to engagement with the MPC, OBR and DMO, the DG is also directly responsible for leading two Groups (the Economics Group and the Fiscal Group), each with one Director and totalling around 200 staff.

What you will bring to the team.

Key Accountabilities

• Act as principal adviser to the Chancellor, Prime Minister and Treasury Ministers on the macroeconomy, fiscal policy and growth, as well as the macroeconomic and microeconomic implications of wider policy issues;
• Lead the Treasury’s relationships with the monetary and markets side of the Bank of England (including attendance at the Monetary Policy Committee and acting as Accounting Officer for the Reserves), the Office for Budget Responsibility, the Debt Management Office and its relations with the markets, and international institutions including the IMF, the OECD (as they relate to the UK economy) and chair the G20 Framework Working group;
• Provide strong leadership to two Treasury Groups, comprising 200 staff, and collectively to the whole department as a member of EMB, alongside their Director General and Permanent Secretary colleagues;
• Champion economics in government as head of the Government Economic Service (GES), acting as a credible and authentic leader within the economics field, and provide professional leadership for economists and analysts across HM Treasury.

We are proud of a diverse and inclusive work environment, committed to fairness and the promotion of equality of opportunity for all. We know that having a range of experiences, ways of working and thinking makes us a stronger organisation, better at developing policy that is reflective of the communities we serve. We embrace different views and experiences and value the fresh perspective that people from a variety of circumstances bring to the work we do. We welcome applications from candidates who have not previously worked for the Civil Service, mid‑ and late‑career changers with transferrable skills, people from all backgrounds and circumstances regardless of disability, ethnicity, LGBT+ identity and socio‑economic status.

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, we operate flexitime systems, allowing 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.
• Range of active staff networks, based around interests (e.g. analysts, music society, sports and social club) and diversity.

For more information about the role and how to apply, please follow the apply link.

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.