HM Treasury
Policy Adviser – Defined Contribution Pensions

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Are you able to effectively collaborate to deliver against shared objectives, analyse information to draw evidenced conclusions and position your work in a wider context? If so, we’d love to hear from you!
About the Team
The Pensions and Savings Team is one of five teams in PTWP (Personal Tax, Welfare and Pensions) group. We are responsible for policy that supports people to build savings and pensions throughout their working life and for the state pension and connected benefits paid to people once they retire. The team is responsible for significant annual tax reliefs (totalling over £70bn) and AME (Annually Managed Expenditure) (exceeding £100bn). To deliver our policies, we work closely with other teams within HM Treasury and also with other departments, particularly DWP and HMRC. These are exciting policies that are meaningful across the population. The size and influence of these policies mean that they are always of interest to ministers.
We are a small and friendly team. We play an active role in making sure that PTWP has an inclusive, positive working environment. We are committed to ensuring a good work-life balance and currently have people with a variety of working patterns and part-time roles.
About the Job
In this role, the key responsibilities are :
- Leading and co-ordinating HMT’s input to the Pensions Commission, including on the future of Automatic Enrolment policy taking into account DWP ambitions, cost of living issues for affected people and the fiscal and economic impacts. The postholder will advise the Pensions Commissioners on matters of HMT policy, ensuring that relevant teams in HMT have the opportunity to input, seeing the Commission through to conclusion in early 2027. The postholder will also advise Ministers on responding to the Pensions Commission’s recommendations, and eventually on legislative change to deliver landmark reforms.
- Advising HM Treasury ministers on policy changes related to taxation of pension contributions, including pensions tax relief thresholds and pensions tax relief administration ahead of each Budget. The postholder will advise ministers on policies to deliver a fair and affordable pensions tax system, and coordinate analysis that supports recommendations. This involves working closely with HMRC through the policy partnership as well as other teams in HMT.
- Advising Ministers on matters relating to DWP arm’s length bodies including spending control and classification.
- Communicating government policy on the taxation of pension contributions through drafting responses to queries received by HM Treasury, working closely with other policy teams.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
About You
You do not need to be a policy professional or have any specific qualifications to succeed in the role. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and previous knowledge of pensions or policy making is not necessary. We're also looking for an individual who will bring enthusiasm and motivation to the role, thereby contributing to a positive team dynamic.


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Some of the Benefits our people love!
- Generous Annual Leave – 25 days (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus public holidays and the King’s birthday.
- Outstanding Pension Scheme – Defined Benefit pension with employer contributions of 28%
- Parental Leave Packages – Including 6 months’ occupational pay for maternity/adoption, shared parental leave options.
- Flexible & Hybrid Working – Options include part-time, job-share, compressed hours, flexitime, and hybrid working (where business needs allow).
- Advance Schemes & Discounts – Rental deposit, cycle-to-work, SmartTech, season ticket loans, and access to HM Treasury’s benefits portal for a wide range of discount codes.
For more information about the role and how to apply, please follow the apply link.
If you need any reasonable adjustments to take part in the selection process, please tell us about this in your online application form, or speak to the recruitment team at hrrecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London