HM Treasury
Policy Adviser – Defined Contribution Pensions
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Job Summary
Working at HM Treasury puts you at the heart of government, making a difference to the UK economy and ultimately to people’s lives right across the UK.
Jobs at the Treasury are fast-paced, fun and can offer unparalleled perspective – not least the opportunity to advise Ministers on the decisions which directly determine the UK’s prosperity. Deep in our DNA is a commitment to empowering our people: maximising individual and collective impact, with interesting work no matter your role or seniority.
Day-to-day you could be supporting Ministers to decide the right level of a specific tax or line of government spending; helping maintain the stability of financial markets; analysing the long-term trends impacting the future of the economy; or enabling this work as part of our vital corporate functions.
We are a high-performing department and proud to have outstanding staff from a wide range of backgrounds. We are also a friendly, inclusive and sociable workplace that prides itself on fostering great team spirit. Our two largest offices are 1 Horse Guards Road in London, opposite St James’ Park, and the Darlington Economic Campus, which also contains eight other departments. We work seamlessly across all our sites, including Norwich, Birmingham and Leeds, as one Treasury.
We are both a 1,000-year-old institution and dynamic, forward-looking economics and finance ministry, with a strong direction set by our organisational strategy, the Future Treasury Vision. The 21st century offers huge opportunities and poses new challenges for the UK. Working at the Treasury is your chance to help the country chart the right course.
Job Description
Reforming the UK pensions landscape is a key priority for this government. Shortly after taking office the government announced a landmark review of the pensions system. The postholder will have responsibility for shaping and driving reform of the pensions system including by supporting the work of the independent Pensions Commission. The first Pensions Commission, 20 years ago, was transformative in establishing the Automatic Enrolment that now has 9 in 10 eligible employees saving for retirement. The second Pensions Commission is a once in a generation opportunity to shape pensions policy for the coming decades, with a particular focus on ensuring individuals are saving enough for retirement alongside ensuring the system remains fiscally sustainable. This will mean working closely with DWP and HMRC to review the Automatic Enrolment framework, as well as developing innovative proposals to adapt the pensions system to a changing labour market.
The Defined Contribution Branch are also responsible for pensions tax policy, working with HMRC policy partners to ensure that pensions tax policy continues to support government objectives and advising on potential measures ahead of each Budget. In the past the branch has led major reforms to the way we tax pension contributions, including raising the Annual Allowance and abolishing the Lifetime Allowance.
We will also shape policy and control spending relating to DWP arm’s length bodies: The Pensions Regulator, The Pensions Ombudsman and Nest.
The team’s work involves a significant amount of face-to-face contact with ministers and senior officials.
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 are seeking candidates who can collaborate effectively to deliver against shared objectives, analyse information to draw evidenced conclusions and position their work in a wider context. We're also looking for an individual who will bring enthusiasm and motivation to the role, thereby contributing to a positive team dynamic.
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The postholder(s) will be responsible for developing policy in their area, advising Treasury ministers on developments, and providing recommendations that will help ministers achieve their priorities. This is likely to include presenting your ideas and explaining pensions and savings issues to ministers, and working with special advisers, press office and parliamentary teams to prepare Budget and/or Spending Review briefing for ministers. The postholder(s) will work closely with HMRC, DWP and other Treasury colleagues. Seeking input from and maintaining good relationships with both internal and external stakeholders is a crucial part of the job. All members of the team are expected to work flexibly, moving between policy projects as ministerial priorities change.
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.
Candidate Drop-In Session
The hiring manager will be running a candidate drop-in session to give you greater insight about the role and HM Treasury, and ask any questions you might have. If you would like to join us, use the link below to join the call at the right time.
Monday 12 October 2026 @ 17:00 – 17:30 @ Join the meeting here
If you would like to speak to the hiring manager informally prior to the closing date, please contact Siobhan Amutharasan – Siobhan.Amutharasan@hmtreasury.gov.uk
Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
Person Specification
Applications should consist of a CV including your employment history, and a 250-word statement demonstrating evidence of each of the below shortlisting criteria. Your CV and employment history won’t be scored. It’s used to give context to your application and support discussions at interview.
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The panel will review applications and invite those that best demonstrate evidence of the shortlisting criteria below for interview. Please keep this in mind when writing your application.
Please note that only applications submitted through Civil Service Jobs will be accepted.
The Shortlisting Criteria:
- Making Effective Decisions: Ability to look at complicated information, weigh up different options and clearly explain your recommendation.
- Communicating and Influencing: Ability to communicate effectively with senior leaders and break down complicated information.
- Working Together: Ability to build good relationships with colleagues from different teams and use these connections to drive goals forward.
The lead criterion is: Making Effective Decisions
If we receive a high volume of applications, we’ll first sift using the lead criterion only. Those meeting the minimum score will then be assessed against all remaining criteria.
Interview Stage
If You Are Successful At The Application Stage, You Will Be Invited To Interview Where You Will Be Assessed Against The Following Criteria:
Strengths
Behaviours:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Seeing the Big Picture
Interview Task / Presentation
Prior to your interview, we will contact you about a task / presentation that the panel would like you to deliver as part of the assessment. Further details will be communicated to you nearer the time.
Benefits
- Salary: Alongside your salary of £44,600, HM Treasury contributes £12,920 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
- Annual Leave: 25 days (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus public holidays and the King’s birthday.
- Pension Scheme: Outstanding Pension Scheme - Defined Benefit pension with employer contributions of 28.97%.
- Parental Leave Packages: Including 6 months’ occupational pay for maternity/adoption, shared parental leave options.
- 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 discounts.
- Flexible & Hybrid Working: Options include part-time, job-share, compressed hours, flexitime, and hybrid working.
Hybrid Working
HM Treasury operates an office-based working approach across all Treasury sites. There is an expectation of a minimum of 60% attendance in the office. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.
Selection Process Details
- Closing date: Sunday 18th October 2026
- Shortlisting: w/c 19th October 2026
- Interviews: w/c 2nd November 2026
This timeline is indicative and may be subject to change. We will inform you if there is a substantial change to the recruitment timeline.
Security Requirements
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check.
Nationality Requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
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