Head of Competition

Michael Page (UK); England; Hybrid; GBP 73,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading regulatory agency in the United Kingdom is seeking a Head of Competition to lead strategic initiatives within the Economics, Finance, and Markets Directorate. The successful applicant will set the competition strategy, drive complex regulatory projects, and build a highly skilled team. Candidates should demonstrate experience in managing teams and influencing industry stakeholders. This permanent, full-time role offers a competitive salary and a hybrid working pattern.

Responsibilities

• Set the competition strategy and integrate it with safety and economic regulation.
• Drive complex projects maximizing the ORR's impact.
• Build and lead a highly skilled team.
• Lead engagement with industry figures to build reputation.
• Advise the Board on future strategy based on market impacts.

Skills

Working autonomously and at pace

Ability to analyse complex evidence

Managing teams

Influencing and establishing credibility

Leadership

Making Effective Decisions

Job description

About Our Client

Michael Page has partnered with The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to recruit a Head of Competition to lead their specialist team within the Economics, Finance and Markets (EFM) Directorate. The ORR is the independent safety and economic regulator for Britain's railways.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Set the competition strategy, integrating competition policy with safety and economic regulation.
• Drive complex projects, including market studies and enforcement cases, maximising the ORR's impact with finite resources.
• Build and lead a highly skilled team, fostering a culture of analytical excellence.
• Lead engagement with the CMA, concurrent regulators, and senior industry figures to build the ORR's reputation.
• Anticipate long-term market impacts (economic, environmental, technological) to advise the Board on future strategy.

Further responsibilities are in the Job Description.

The Successful Applicant

Essential Criteria

To apply, you must provide clear evidence in your CV and Personal Statement demonstrating how you meet the following essential criteria.

Technical Skills

• (Lead Criteria) Working autonomously and at pace to lead complex competition or regulatory projects (such as enforcement of competition law, market studies, or sector‑specific regulatory projects) and present clear advice to support effective decision‑making.
• Ability to analyse complex and voluminous evidence and materials.

Experience

• Managing teams, including direct reports and cross‑functional teams.
• Leading engagement, influencing, and establishing credibility with industry stakeholders, government (UK and devolved), other regulators, and the wider competition community.

Behaviours

• Leadership: Inspiring a diverse workforce and creating a culture where everyone feels valued.
• Making Effective Decisions: Using evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice.
• Changing and Improving: Seeking out opportunities to create effective change and suggesting innovative ideas for improvement.

What's on Offer

• Job Title: Head of Competition
• Organisation: Office of Rail and Road (ORR)
• Grade: Grade A
• Salary: London: £78,032 - £82,855; Regional (Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Manchester, York): £73,421 - £78,420
• Contract: Permanent, Full‑Time
• Working Pattern: Hybrid (40% on‑site)
• Full Candidate Information Pack: ORR Candidate Information Pack

How to Apply

This campaign is being managed exclusively by Michael Page. To apply, please submit:

1. A comprehensive CV setting out your career history.
2. A Personal Statement explicitly addressing how you meet the Essential Criteria listed above.
3. You can either send your applications directly with the Subject Line ORR Head of Competition Application.
4. Or collate your personal statement and CV in one document and apply via our website.

The Assessment Process

• Longlisting/Pre‑Sift: If we receive a high volume of applications, your application will be pre‑sifted against the Lead Criteria only. You must demonstrate strong evidence of leading complex competition/regulatory projects to pass this stage.
• Shortlisting: Candidates who pass the pre‑sift will be assessed against all essential criteria (Technical, Experience, and Behaviours).
• Interview: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview w/c 26th January 2026.

For a confidential discussion

Mohammad Jameul - Consultant
Email: mohammadjameulatmichaelpage.co.uk
Telephone : [phone]