Head of Economics

Civil Aviation Authority; London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

The Civil Aviation Authority seeks a Head of Economics to lead economic regulation for airports and air traffic services. This senior role will manage a team of experts to ensure high-quality economic analysis and policy development, influencing crucial decisions in the UK's aviation sector. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in economic regulatory frameworks and experience in engaging with stakeholders at senior levels. This permanent position supports flexible working arrangements and professional development within a diverse team.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Free onsite gym at Gatwick

Discounted gym membership for London

28 days annual leave

Generous pension scheme

Qualifications

• A track record of expertise in applying economics in a regulatory or policy setting.
• Experience working at a senior level planning and conducting economic analysis.
• Excellent analytical skills and communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and drive policy development and economic analysis.
• Ensure deliverables are clear and of high quality.
• Engage with key stakeholders on a range of policy issues.
• Manage economists and policy experts, and coordinate with Programme Directors.

Skills

Economic analysis

Regulatory frameworks

Cost assessment

Stakeholder engagement

Drafting skills

Multi-disciplinary teamwork

Education

Degree in Economics or relevant field

Job description

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Head of Economics

Salary: £90,000 up to £105,000 dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time (Part-time or FTC available)

Security Level: BPSS

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship.

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

The role

The Economic Regulation and Competition Policy (ERCP) team is a vital part of the Civil Aviation Authority's (CAA) Consumers and Markets Group (CMG). It protects consumers by ensuring that airports and air traffic service (ATS) providers do not exploit their market position, oversees the CAA's competition responsibilities and provides economics input and support to the CAA's wider policies and initiatives. The team is responsible for the economic regulation of Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL), Gatwick Airport Limited (GAL) and the monopoly air traffic services provider for the UK, NATS (En Route) Plc (NERL). Understanding the impact of policy options and our actions is essential in ensuring we protect the interests of consumers, while enabling wider aviation policy.

We are looking for a highly experienced economist to play a key role in leading significant elements of our work in the regulation of airports and ATS, and economic analysis input to programmes across the CAA. Reporting to a Programme Director, as the Head of Economics, you will manage the work of economists and policy experts in the team to assess key policy issues, as well as overseeing the commission and delivery of work by consultants. This includes work on our key price control programmes, including airport capacity expansion.

You will be responsible for developing and delivering cohesive work plans, identifying the best approach to analysis and engaging with senior level stakeholders. You will be responsible for the timely delivery of robust, evidence based and assured regulatory analysis and policy to support key decisions that stand up to intense legal and stakeholder scrutiny, applying first principles to solve important economic issues where there is limited precedent and the production of high-quality documents for publication - excellent drafting and editing skills are an essential requirement of the post. The initial focus of this role is likely to be on our price control reviews for HAL (H8) and NERL (NR28). This may include work on cost assessment, service quality and incentives. We will need to be flexible to changes in specific responsibilities and work areas over time as the teams' work programmes and priorities evolve.

This role is permanent and offers the opportunity for professional development, through working within a highly experienced team, directly influencing and engaging with senior leaders, and working across a wide variety of high profile and interesting economic and policy issues.

We understand that work-life balance is key and would be happy to consider those seeking part time work and/or a job share as well as those seeking a full-time role. We operate (and are committed to) a hybrid working model, with the flexibility to work remotely for part of the week. The team currently requires attendance in the office around one and half days per week for full-time employees (pro rata for part time colleagues) on average and we will keep this under review based on team needs.

Core accountabilities

The Head of Economics will be responsible for:

• Overseeing and driving forward key elements of policy development and the economic analysis that supports this policy. This is expected to include work on the economic regulatory frameworks for airports and air traffic services, including assessing the efficiency of costs and design of regulatory incentive mechanisms, and may include supporting wider CAA work on areas of consumer policy, aviation markets, and new innovations and technologies.
• Ensuring key deliverables are clear, on time, produced to a high quality, robust to external challenge and scrutiny, and supported by appropriate quality assurance processes. This includes reviewing and drafting consultation, decision and policy papers that cover difficult technical issues as well as issues with the potential to generate intense media and stakeholder interest. It also includes the drafting and quality assurance of CAA board papers.
• Developing the overall approach to senior engagement with key internal and external stakeholders on the range of policy issues and engaging at a senior level with key stakeholders on a wide range of issues.
• Overseeing the work of our economists and policy experts, technical advisors and consultants.
• Reviewing and challenging regulatory business plans and submissions from other stakeholders.
• Working closely with the Programme Directors to ensure work is fully coordinated across the wider ERCP work programmes.
• Providing advice to the Programme Directors, Economics Director, Chief Economist, the CAA Executive Committee and Board as required.
• Development and empowering of team members, through opportunities to develop skills and training, as a senior leader in the team.
• Championing CAA values and D&I policy.

About you

Skills, knowledge and experience that are essential for the job:

• A track record of expertise in applying economics in a regulatory or policy setting, including overseeing complex technical analysis. This could be in one or more of: design of regulatory frameworks, cost/efficiency assessment and the design of regulatory incentive mechanisms
• Experience working at a senior level planning and conducting economic analysis and policy development, for example within a government department, regulator or regulated company (or other relevant experience).
• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to design and oversee complex analysis.
• Ability to develop effective work programmes to address a wide range of issues relating to economic regulation.
• Skilled communicator with the ability to explain complex information to a wide range of audiences including non-economists and the abilities to influence and withstand challenge under scrutiny.
• Excellent drafting skills and able to deliver concise and clear written material for publication.
• Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams and delivering work through team members.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience of regulatory finance and accounting issues.
• Knowledge of aviation and transport.

Additional information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

To be vetted you must have the right to work in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken.

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

For more information on BPSS clearance please visit - BPSS clearance

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.

Relocation & Property

This role will be based at the CAA's Canary Wharf office, however candidates are advised that the CAA's head office will be relocating from Aviation House (Gatwick) to new premises, within a 15-mile radius, in a few years' time. Our move is driven by strategic, operational and environmental considerations.

Inclusive recruitment

We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Working with us

We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.

We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!

Our values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone - For more information please Click Here

Closing Date: 7th August 2025

Interview Date: From w/c 18th August - September 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

No recruitment agencies please.