Job vacancy: Head of Policy

The CSA is accepting applications for a Head of Policy vacancy.

Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

Closing Date: 31st October 2023

CSA Head Office is in Newcastle upon Tyne but options for hybrid and remote working within the UK can be discussed.

About the Organisation:

The Credit Services Association (CSA) is the only national trade association in the UK for organisations active in the debt collection and purchase industry. Our membership employs nearly 11,000 people, held over £20bn of consumer debt for collection last year across over 20million accounts, and they held nearly £4bn of commercial debts in over 1.5million commercial accounts. Our members act on behalf of a large and diverse range of creditors including banks and utility companies, and comprises specialist organisations such as tracing agencies and law firms. Further information on the CSA can be found here.

Job Description:

The CSA Head of Policy is a member of our senior management team, working alongside our Head of Compliance and Head of Regulatory Impact, shaping the policy development and lobbying work on behalf of our member firms and ensuring that the voice of our members is heard at the highest level. As Head of Policy, you will be responsible for delivering a proactive policy agenda and designing and implementing policy in relation to the Association’s strategic goals.

Your role will include:

• You will work closely with the CEO, developing and maintaining an active government and regulatory relations programme, ensuring that the Association’s views are represented in the formulation and adoption of UK and European policy and legislation.
• You will be responsible for identifying key policy issues, risks and opportunities for the collections and debt purchase sector and developing a clear strategy to support the Association’s aims and objectives.
  You will be involved in identifying relevant industry consultations, providing high quality commentary and formal responses to government consultations, submissions and briefings to meetings for CEO/Board and Senior Compliance Team.
• You will assist in managing interactions and communications with MPs and other key stakeholders to develop a positive and productive dialogue.
• You will act as one of the senior spokespeople to articulate the Association’s policy and stance on key industry and policy issues, representing the Association at members meetings, working groups, external meetings and conferences where required.
• You will be responsible for identifying decision makers, policy makers, partners and stakeholders across the financial services, money advice sector and political and regulatory landscape.
• You will provide research and analysis to our Chief Executive, Board and Senior Management team, and you will develop and inform the Association’s programme of lobbying and campaigns, and raise awareness of key issues relevant to the Association, its members and stakeholders.
• You will coordinate our public facing policy program with at least four policy publications a year.
• You will be required to prepare succinct and influential reports, briefings, articles, letters, and communications on policy issues liaising with key stakeholders to research consultation responses, and provide supporting evidence where necessary.
• You will work closely with the Association’s Communications team to ensure that all internal and external communications support the Association’s strategic policy views and aims.
• You will ensure all appropriate policy activities abide by the Association’s internal policies, including Competition Policy, at all times.
• You will help administer some of the CSA Board sub-committees including our International Affairs committee and prepare reports and papers for consideration accordingly.
• You will have responsibility for liaising with our Learning & Development team to support our skills and training curriculum so it is relevant and up to date in policy terms for member firms who use our training resources.

Skills and Experience:

• A minimum of two years' experience in a policy related role and proven policy research and analytical skills, with the ability to analyse, interpret and communicate complex information.
• A proven track record of leading and influencing stakeholders and external and internal parties at national level, ideally within the financial services or money advice sector.
• The ability and drive to work autonomously, delivering written content and responding to comment requests to tight deadlines.
• Proven strategy development and representation experience.
• Strong verbal and presentation skills, including at Board level or on media.
• Strong leadership and organisational skills with proven project management experience.
• Outstanding written communication skills including the ability to draft briefings and correspondence at the most senior levels.
• Familiarity and experience with the financial services regulatory landscape and the collections and debt purchase sector in the UK would be highly desirable

We are open to discussing the potential for this role on a hybrid / flexible and home working basis, however regular UK based travel to represent the Association is required, including regular visits to the CSA Office in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Candidates should be aware that the successful applicant will be required to apply for the appropriate level of DBS, up to enhanced, and offers will be conditional upon receipt of suitable references, DBS and credit check, in line with the CSA’s Safer Recruitment and Good Repute policy. The Credit Services Association is an equal opportunities employer.

• Salary £60,000 pa
• 25 days holiday per year plus bank holidays
• Pension
• Death in Service Policy

For further information about the role, or to request an application pack, please contact ashleigh.johnson@csa-uk.com or call 0191 217 3077.