Job vacancy template

We are currently recruiting a Policy and Public Affairs Lead for a Permanent contract. 
This role is hybrid, both working from home and in our London, Oxford or Edinburgh hub. 

We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly between home and the hub to suit their needs and preferences, in line with our hybrid working policy.

Colleagues are able to work their hours flexibly, in line with core business hours and requirements. We also offer formalised flexible working agreements.  

The starting salary is £67,830 per annum if based in Oxford or Edinburgh, £73,245 if based in London.

To apply, please send a CV and cover letter to HRsupport@actuaries.org.uk by the closing date of 30 June 2026.

Purpose of the job

The role holder will lead on public affairs activity for the IFoA that influences government, regulators and key stakeholders in line with the IFoA’s strategic objectives. They will also, with other policy colleagues, lead on the development and delivery of policy work that promotes actuarial insight and voice in policy, legislative and regulatory debates.

Principal accountabilities

Public Affairs Leadership

• Design and deliver public affairs strategies (appropriate to the size and nature of the IFoA) to influence:
  • HM Treasury, DWP, BEIS and other relevant Government departments
  • UK Parliament (MPs, peers, select committees)
  • UK regulators, including the PRA, FCA, TPR, Lloyds and FRC
  • Devolved UK administrations
• Horizon scanning to identify and exploit opportunities for the IFoA to advise ministers, parliamentarians, officials and advisors on policy development, including opportunities for collaboration with others to maximise impact.

Policy Leadership 

• Lead on the development and delivery of policy positions on issues central to actuarial work, including (but not limited to):
  • insurance and financial services regulation
  •  pensions policy and long term savings
  • risk management and capital frameworks
  • data, modelling, AI and ethical use of analytics
  • climate change, sustainability and systemic risk
• Translate complex actuarial and technical analysis and input into clear, accessible policy outputs.
• Commission and oversee policy research, working closely with the Practice Boards and other actuarial experts as well as the Research and Thought Leadership committee.
• Lead on development of IFoA responses to government or regulator consultations and identify follow-up engagement opportunities where appropriate.

Stakeholder Engagement

•  Work in partnership with actuarial volunteers to develop positions that reflect professional expertise and public interest and to agree key priorities for policy engagement.
• Lead on IFoA external engagement with parliament, government and public bodies/regulators.
• Develop external networks and relationships with key stakeholders to support the IFoA’s ability to influence in priority areas. 

Leadership and Governance

• Mentor and develop policy and public affairs colleagues and manage external advisers (as required).
• Provide policy and public affairs advice to, and prepare high-quality papers/updates for IFoA leadership and governance boards and committees, including Practice Boards.
• Contribute to organisational strategy, business planning and risk management.

Main contacts

Internal:

• Head of Policy and Public Affairs; Director of Regulation, Policy and Risk and colleagues within the Policy and Public Affairs Team
• CEO, President, IFoA Board Chair
• Colleagues across Marketing, Communications, Research, and Communities
• Practice Boards and other volunteer groups 

External:

• Policymakers, including ministers and elected representatives, government officials and regulators
• Think tanks, trade and academic bodies, professional associations and actuarial employers 

Decisions

• Providing advice to IFoA leadership and boards/committees to inform decision on public affairs strategies, with significant potential external exposure.
• Prioritising competing policy areas and where policy activity should be targeted.
• Manage conflicting and/or competing views of members to reach consensus on core narratives and on our key policy priorities as an organisation.  

Knowledge and experience 

Essential:

• Substantial experience in policy and public affairs, ideally within financial services, pensions, insurance, regulation or a professional body environment.
• Strong strategic political awareness, understanding of government and parliamentary processes and ability to develop public affairs strategies.
• Understand complex and technical policy issues quickly and able to form opinions on policy options and positions and advise as appropriate.  
• Ability to operate credibly with external senior stakeholders and to work collaboratively with key internal stakeholders, particularly volunteers, providing advice and constructive challenge.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to understand complex technical information and to communicate this effectively to a range of audiences
• Well-organised, able to work to tight deadlines and able to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously. 

Desirable:

• Experience of working for a professional body or membership organisation.
• Experience of working for or closely with UK financial services regulators (e.g. FCA, PRA, TPR).
• Experience of working within a relevant government department or in parliament.
• Understanding of actuaries or experience working closely with them.
• Experience of international policy engagement. 

Additional dimensions

• Significant impact on how the IFoA is perceived, both internally by members and externally by policy makers
• Able to communicate effectively with colleagues to drive forward our policy priorities as an organisation and ensure that members understand our policy positions and know how to influence them.  
• Understand the IFoA’s strategic objectives and apply them to a policy context.  

Alternative format and adjustments

Please email the HR Team if you require:

• any information regarding our vacancies in an alternative format
• any adjustments to support you to fully participate in any part of the application and recruitment process

Any information shared will be used only to enable us to make reasonable adjustments to support candidates to participate in the recruitment process. It will not inform selection decisions.

You can reach us at HRsupport@actuaries.org.uk.