Business Banking Policy Adviser

About The GroupThe Financial Services Group advises the government on how to promote a stable and efficient financial services sector, to deliver excellent outcomes for consumers and business, enhance the UKs position as a global hub for financial services and support economic growth across the country.The financial services sector is important to the UK economy providing significant numbers of jobs and making a large contribution to the UKs economic output. It also provides essential services to individuals for example, helping them to purchase goods with ease, buy their first home, and plan for their retirement. During the COVID pandemic, it played a critical role in supporting individuals and businesses for example, in providing payment holidays for individuals and businesses affected by the pandemic and working with the government to deliver Bounce Back Loans.We ensure that financial services businesses such as banks, investment firms, financial advisors and insurers are well-regulated. Ensuring firms treat customers fairly, customers have access to a range of financial services as a result of competition in the market, and there are appropriate remedies in place when things go wrong.We work on a significant international agenda which includes promoting openness and trading links between the UK and countries all around the world, including through Free Trade Agreements and other international dialogues and negotiations. To do this we work closely with colleagues in offices overseas from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office and the Department for International Trade.Working with stakeholders is key in Financial Services for example, we work closely with the independent regulators to help them fulfil their roles, consult consumer groups on issues affecting them, and work with the sector on wider issues like the net-zero agenda.About The Team The Banking and Credit Team is a high-profile and friendly team of about 20 people with interests across a range of financial services issues. The team leads the Treasurys policy work on retail banking, mortgages, business lending, building societies and mutuals, dormant assets, and the Governments strategy for competition in financial services. The team works closely with a number of Treasury teams (in the Financial Services and Financial Stability Groups, the Fiscal Group and the Enterprise and Growth Unit), other government departments and with a wide range of partners, including all the major banks.About the JobThe team has a vacancy for a stretching and high-profile role in the Business Lending and Competition Unit. The role will give the post-holder the opportunity to shape Government policy in a wide-ranging and fast-paced area.The business banking sector is one of the most critical in the UK economy, providing essential financial services to sustain and grow the UKs businesses. The role is varied and high-profile, with significant ministerial, parliamentary and press interest and engagement. You will be the lead on several areas of business banking policy development, working to ensure the Treasury has an effective and coherent medium-to-long term strategy for the sector.The post-holder can expect to manage a wide-ranging and high-profile portfolio, influencing the work of the Financial Services Group across business lending and domestic banking sector competition issues. While also getting to work with a broad range of internal and external parties including the major banks and alternative finance providers, industry and consumer representatives, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Bank of England, other Government Departments and institutions.Key accountabilities for this role include:Proactively drive forward our development and delivery of business banking policy, leading on broad policy areas such as dispute resolution between banks and SMEs, the regulatory framework, access to bank accounts and supply of finance and delivery including through legislation, guidance and voluntary industry initiatives..Advise senior officials and Ministers on key issues related to business banking and competition.Look holistically at how the current regulatory framework is impacting competition in the wider domestic banking sector, and work with colleagues across Financial Services, Financial Stability and the independent regulators to ensure a balanced approach to regulation which adequately delivers market stability while enabling the entrance and growth of new banking services providers.Lead external stakeholder engagement for the Business Lending and Competition Unit, develop a strategy to support policy development and effective senior/ministerial engagement, and forge strong and collaborative relationships across industry, financial regulators and other government teams.Provide high-quality support for senior and ministerial engagement with the SME finance sector, including written and verbal briefings, to ensure that the governments engagement strategy is effective.Respond to parliamentary, public and press activity/enquiries, including supporting ministers in parliamentary debates, and use these channels to identify and monitor developing policy issues.Act as a key point of contact for the business banking and domestic competition policy areas, dealing with issues and queries as they arise in a timely manner and with sound judgement.Provide high-quality, flexible support to other areas of the units work, such as the Dormant Assets Scheme, as needed.Candidate Drop-In Session Microsoft Teams The hiring manager will be running a candidate drop-in session for this role to give you greater insight about the role as well as the chance to learn more about HM Treasury and ask any questions you may have. If you would like to join us, then use the link below to join the call at the right time. 4th October 2024 12:00 13:00hrs Join the meeting nowIf you would like to speak to the hiring manager informally prior to the closing date for applications to find out more about the job, please contact Sophie Green ([email protected]).