Head of Tax Policy Unit

If you’re interested in making a difference to people’s lives, the Treasury can offer you an exciting opportunity to influence decision making that affects the whole of the UK. Working at the heart of government, we collaborate across government to promote responsible public spending and drive strong and sustainable economic growth.  

Our work ranges from protecting customers through the regulation of the financial sector, helping to reduce carbon emissions and creating a greener economy, to promoting British trade around the world and supporting people across the country on jobs, growth and more.  

HM Treasury is proud of a diverse and inclusive work environment, committed to fairness and the promotion of equality of opportunity for all. We know that having a range of experiences, ways of working and thinking makes us stronger and better at developing policy that reflects the needs of every community. We embrace different views and experiences and value the new perspective that people from a variety of circumstances bring to the work we do. We welcome applications from candidates who have not previously worked for the Civil Service, mid- and late-career changers with transferrable skills, people from all backgrounds and circumstances regardless of disability, gender, age ethnicity, LGBT+ identity and socio-economic status.  

We are part of the Darlington Economic Campus, a pioneering new cross-government hub which brings people together to play an active role in the most important issues of the day whilst working closer to the communities we serve. The campus provides the opportunity for people from all over the UK to help shape the future of the country, and our flexible working practices ensure you can collaborate effectively with our partners. It’s central government, made more accessible to you! 

About the Groups

We are recruiting for a range of tax roles across two of our Groups:

Business and International Tax​

The aim of the Business and International Group (BIT) Group is to provide strategic oversight of business, environmental, transport, property, VAT, excise taxes and customs duties that together raise revenue of over £400 billion a year. The Group works closely with other government departments and is outwards facing towards key stakeholders, including business, industry, interest groups and international counterparts, and there are opportunities to be part of this engagement at all levels. ​​

The work of the Group is vital to fund essential public services, while working with other Treasury Groups to support the Government’s wider agenda – including supporting business investment and economic growth, developing and negotiating new customs arrangements following the UK’s departure from the EU; levelling up opportunities across all parts of the United Kingdom; and delivering “Net Zero” carbon emissions by 2050. The Group’s high-profile portfolio make it a highly dynamic, flexible and interesting place to work. 

Personal Tax, Welfare and Pensions​

We work to build a tax and welfare system that supports the government’s goals of fiscal sustainability, economic growth, and fairness. We look after high-profile areas including personal taxes, labour markets, welfare, tax administration, pensions, tax avoidance, and savings. We also coordinate spending controls for HM Revenue & Customs, Department for Work and Pensions. The Group is responsible for over £400bn in tax receipts and £300bn in welfare spending, impacting the lives of millions of citizens across the UK.  ​​​

Our work means that we are often at the centre of ministers’ decision making, and we play a significant part in the Budget and the Spending Review. We work closely with HMRC, DWP and Number 10, and with a wide variety of external stakeholders.

Both Groups​

By joining one of these Groups, you will become part of a team that value and encourage the best in one another, whilst tackling some of the most pressing and interesting policy questions on the Government’s agenda  ​​

Each Group is committed to diversity and includes a wide range of backgrounds and specialisms.  We proudly support a friendly and inclusive working environment with an active ‘Wellbeing Plan’ focussed on learning and belonging, to create a culture in which all individuals are valued.  ​​

Development is encouraged for all roles and the work will offer a range of opportunities to support this. such as supporting those that want to undertake tax qualifications or develop a career in other areas of HM Treasury. These roles are suitable for Hybrid Working with an expectation that staff are in the office at least half of the time.

About the Job

Great policy making is about understanding what needs to change, what problems need to be solved and supporting Ministers to arrive at the best solution to deliver the change. We have a range of rewarding roles that will give you the opportunity to make a real impact in developing policy, whether you are currently a tax specialist or you are new to tax policy but have great transferable skills.  ​

Our policy teams have a diverse range of previous experience, as we focus on the core skills that underpin the roles – including strong problem-solving skills, the ability to clearly explain your thinking both in writing and in person, and the drive to overcome challenges and see your ideas through into action and delivery.  ​

Whilst specific roles will vary slightly depending on their focus, all our Head of Tax Policy roles: ​

• Lead projects which shape a specific area of tax policy or strategy, proactively identifying opportunities for change and providing Ministers and senior colleagues with expert advice ​
• Influence others to achieve HM Treasury and Government objectives, including through the development and maintenance of constructive and close relationships with HM Treasury colleagues, HM Revenue and Customs and other government departments, ministers, and key external stakeholders.  ​
• Step back from day-to-day tasks to understand where your work fits in a  changing tax policy landscape – and make changes to your team’s direction and priorities where appropriate. ​
• Drive forward and project manage work in a fast-paced environment, ensuring that work is well planned and executed to deliver against ministers’ objectives.  ​
• Undertake robust analysis, to ensure a strong evidence base to enable effective decision making by ministers and senior officials.  ​
• Demonstrate strong leadership of your area, delivering through others to ensure successful delivery of objectives and acting as an excellent line manager, developing a small team of policy advisors and senior policy advisors to fulfil their potential.  ​

It is not a requirement to have any previous tax experience. For those entering these roles without prior knowledge of tax, we provide a comprehensive training offer including an induction programme delivered by academic experts, and the opportunity to study for professional tax qualifications if desired.​

For these roles, we are looking for you to have strong leadership skills and be confident engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders. All our roles require good judgement, the ability to get to grips quickly with new issues, and the ability to work well with others, alongside an interest in developing your understanding of tax policy.​

Already a tax specialist? We can tailor the roles based on your skills and background, if you demonstrate:​

• When prompted in the application form or at the offer stage: Relevant qualification, either tax (CTA, ATT), accountancy (ACA, ACCA) or appropriate solicitor equivalent (although those working towards a qualification can also be considered)​
• During the interview: Strategic understanding of the tax system, developed through your track-record of working in a tax related area in a previous role

Candidate Drop-in Sessions

If you would like to learn more about working within our Tax policy teams, then we are holding a drop-in session where you can speak with some of our teams and hear them talk about their roles. We can also share an insight to working at HM Treasury and the Civil Service, and the collaborative approach between the Darlington Economic Campus and HM Treasury’s London office.​

• Monday 27 November 5pm – 6pm – Click here to join the meeting ​
• Wednesday 29 November 5pm – 6pm – Click here to join the meeting 

​Near Misses

If you are a near miss at this grade during the interview process, but clearly demonstrate your ability to work at a different grade – our Range E (Grade 7 equivalent in the Civil Service) – then you may be offered a position at this grade. This would come with our commitment to developing you into a tax policy professional and will be discussed with potential individuals after the interview.  

For your application, we are looking for you to submit a Personal Statement (of no more than 1250 words) demonstrating your skills, knowledge, and capability to excel in the role. You should reflect on the “About the Job” section and demonstrate your knowledge and transferrable skills so we can assess your suitability for the role.  ​

Please review the Candidate FAQ document that is attached to the advert for guidance on how to complete your application form. ​

You will be asked to provide some CV details during the application process, including your employment history and professional qualifications, however it will not be assessed. Your CV details will be used to support conversations at interview and inform how your role may be shaped if you are successful. 

Candidate Guidance Support Session

We will be running an overview of the application and assessment process, Success Profiles and the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, 
Result) approach for interested candidates. This will help you shape your personal statement to ensure you can demonstrate your 
complete skillset.

Tuesday 28 November 5pm – 6pm – Click here to join the meeting 

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture

• 25 days’ annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the King’s birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant)

• Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours)

• Generous parental and adoption leave package

• Onsite restaurant and coffee bar. The London office also offers a gym, showers and prayer room

• Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving

• Access to a retail discounts and cashback site

• A Rental Deposit Advance Scheme to help meet the total costs of deposits for privately rented homes

• A range of active staff networks, based around interests (e.g. analysts, music society, sports and social club) and diversity (e.g. women in the Treasury, ethnic minority network, LGBT* network, faith and belief network).

• Access to a range of allowances if eligibility applies. These include profession related allowances. HM Treasury awards Professional Tax Allowances to staff who demonstrate a strong ability in tax policy making and a commitment to continuous professional development. 

Flexible working arrangements:   HM Treasury views flexible working as essential in enabling us to recruit and retain talented people, ensuring that they are able to enjoy a long-lasting career with us. All employees have the right to apply for flexible working and there are a range of options available including; working from home, compressed hours and job sharing.

HM Treasury operates an office based working approach across all Treasury sites – Darlington, London, and Norwich, with the expectation of achieving 50% attendance in the office as a minimum requirement, along with the flexibility of working remotely. This blended working approach allows you to work collaboratively, meet stakeholders face to face, support others and promotes a healthy work life balance (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. All our offices have been recently modernised and designed to collaborate and connect with colleagues as well as desk and quiet space to allow a range of ways to work.

Job contact :

• Name : Kimberley Aldrich
• Email : kimberley.aldrich@hmtreasury.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : hrrecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk