Senior Policy Adviser – Sustainable Finance

HM TREASURY; Darlington; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

HM Treasury is seeking a professional for a role in the Sustainable Finance Unit to guide policies for a world-leading transition finance market. The role requires working with various stakeholders to ensure the UK finance sector responds to climate change challenges and promotes sustainable finance effectively.

Benefits

25 days annual leave rising to 30 after 5 years

Flexible working patterns

Generous parental and adoption leave packages

Defined Benefit pension scheme with 28% employer contributions

Access to cycle-to-work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in financial services or sustainable finance.
• Ability to analyze policy details and recommend actionable policies.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement policies for a leading transition finance market.
• Engage with government and regulatory bodies on transition planning.
• Manage staff and oversee daily operations within the team.

Skills

Analytical skills

Relationship building

Policy analysis

Education

Degree in Finance, Economics, or related field

Job description

Do you have experience working in financial services and/or sustainable finance? Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to be involved with one of the fastest-growing trends in global finance? If so, read on!

About the Team

The Sustainable Finance Unit

The Sustainable Finance Unit is an impactful and friendly team. We lead on policy and regulation for sustainable finance, ensuring the UK’s finance sector can respond to the challenge of climate change. This includes supporting the financial sector to unlock the financing needed to address climate change, empowering people to understand the environmental impact of their financial choices, and ensuring that the rapidly scaling market for sustainable finance is well-regulated. Sustainable finance is key to the Government’s vision for the future of finance in the UK.

Prudential & Sustainability Team

The Sustainable Finance Unit is part of the wider Prudential & Sustainability team, a friendly team with a multifaceted and high-profile remit, responsible for policy on sustainable finance and prudential banking.

About the Job

In this role, you will:

1. Design and implement policies to ensure the UK has a world-leading transition finance market. This involves working closely with government departments, regulators, and industry, particularly the Transition Finance Council, to position the UK’s financial services sector to capture sustainability-related opportunities, manage climate and environment-related risks, and mobilize private finance to support a resilient, net-zero, and nature-positive economy.
2. Engage with government departments (including the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Department for Business and Trade, and DEFRA) and financial regulators (such as the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority) to ensure effective, proportionate, and coordinated policy and regulation on transition planning, supporting the alignment of positions across departments and regulators.
3. Lead Treasury's engagement on how adaptation and nature can be integrated into international and domestic sustainable finance frameworks.
4. Promote the UK’s approach to sustainable finance regulation internationally by preparing Ministers and senior officials to engage with industry leaders, participate in international forums, and liaise with Parliament. Attend international meetings to represent the UK’s position and foster greater international alignment on sustainable finance frameworks.
5. Manage and matrix-manage staff within the wider Unit, overseeing daily management, development conversations, and supporting the overall team.

About You

You should be able to analyze policy details, identify key issues, and make policy recommendations. Building relationships and working effectively with partners, including senior staff and external stakeholders, is essential. You will support others and align work with organizational objectives while remaining alert to emerging issues that could impact your work area.

Benefits Our People Love

• 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the King’s birthday (unless you have a legacy Civil Service arrangement). Flexitime allows up to 2 additional days off each month.
• Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours)
• Generous parental and adoption leave packages
• Access to a Defined Benefit pension scheme with 28% employer contributions, cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, and season ticket advances
• A range of active staff networks based on interests and diversity

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

If you need reasonable adjustments to participate in the selection process, please mention this in your application or contact the recruitment team at [e-mail].