Head of Economics Advice

Salary: £90,000 to £95,000 per annum dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

Security Level: BPSS

Base Location: Canary Wharf, London

Hybrid Working: Consumer and Markets Group have a principle of colleagues spending 40% of their working time away from home (e.g. in an office, on offsite courses, meeting stakeholders etc.)

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

Please note that both a CV and a cover letter are required for any application detailing how you meet the person specification for the role.

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in our field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

The economic regulation and competition policy (ERCP) team is a vital part of the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) Consumers and Markets Group (CMG). It protects consumers by ensuring that airports and air traffic service (ATS) providers do not misuse their market position and oversees the CAA’s competition responsibilities. The team’s remit is expanding to include leading the delivery of economics support to shape the CAA’s wider policies and initiatives, including airspace modernisation, new aviation technologies, consumer protection, economic growth and promoting sustainability across the aviation sector. Understanding the impact of policy and regulatory options is essential in enabling aviation and aerospace to innovate and grow while protecting the interests of consumers and wider society.

We are looking for an experienced economist to play a key role in delivering economics advice to shape CAA decisions that are not primarily focused on the economic regulation of airports and air navigation services. The postholder is likely, in due course, to also have an opportunity to lead elements of the team’s economic regulation work, although this is not expected to be a main focus initially. Reporting to a Programme Director, as the Head of Economic Advice, you will manage the work of economists in the team as well as overseeing work delivered by consultants.

You will be responsible for developing and delivering cohesive work plans, identifying appropriate analytical approaches, and engaging with senior-level stakeholders. You will be responsible for the timely delivery of high‑quality, evidence‑based and assured economic analysis to inform key decisions,  which can withstand legal and stakeholder scrutiny. You will apply first‑principles thinking to address important economic issues where there is limited precedent and produce high‑quality documents for publication — excellent communication skills, written and oral, are essential.

The initial focus of this role will be enhancing how economics is used in decision-making across the CAA. This will involve leading a team in delivering high‑quality tailored advice to shape CAA policies and initiatives; providing guidance and training for non‑economists; and engaging with key internal and external stakeholders. Your specific responsibilities will evolve as the team’s priorities develop.

The Role

The Head of Economic Advice will be responsible for:

• Overseeing and driving forward the delivery of economic analysis to influence policies and initiatives across the CAA, including those relating to airspace modernisation, new aviation technologies, consumer protection, economic growth and sustainability across the aviation sector. In time, you are likely to have opportunities to lead elements of our work on price controls and other aspects of the regulatory frameworks for airports and air traffic services. 
• Ensuring key deliverables are produced on time, to a high standard, and supported by appropriate quality assurance processes. This includes reviewing and contributing to the drafting of impact assessments, consultation documents, and decision and/or policy papers that cover technical issues, as well as issues that may generate intense media and stakeholder interest. It also includes drafting and quality assurance of CAA Board papers.
• Engaging with internal and external stakeholders to senior levels (e.g. CAA Board members, Government officials to Director level) on a wide range of issues relevant to the team’s work.
• Overseeing the work of our economists, policy experts, technical advisors and consultants.
• Reviewing, guiding and constructively challenging economic analysis produced by external stakeholders.
• Working closely with Programme Directors to ensure work is aligned across the wider ERCP programmes.
• Providing clear and balanced advice to Programme Directors, the Economics Director, Chief Economist, the CAA Executive Committee and Board as required.
• Supporting and empowering team members through skill‑development opportunities and training.
• Championing CAA values and D&I policy.

You may also be expected to support other aspects of our regulatory and competition economics work.

Limited occasional UK travel to meet with stakeholders and to CAA Head Office (Aviation House) near Gatwick Airport may be required.

About You

Essential skills, knowledge and experience

• Strong academic background in economics, including at least a 2:1 undergraduate degree in economics and / or a postgraduate economics qualification.
• Experience working at a senior level as an economist in a regulatory, policy or competition environment (e.g. government department, regulator, regulated company or consultancy, or other relevant experience).
• A strong record of designing and overseeing economic analysis to influence the development of policy or regulation. This should include significant experience of overseeing the application of option appraisal techniques in the context of impact assessments or government business cases (or similar). 
• Strong leadership skills and experience of developing and managing delivery of work programmes.
• Strong people management skills and experience of delivering work through multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information to a wide range of audiences, including non‑economists.
• Good relationship‑building and influencing skills.
• Ability to produce clear, concise and persuasive written documents tailored to different audiences and suitable for publication.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• Knowledge of aviation and/or other transport sectors.
• Experience working on issues related to economic regulation, for example within a government department, regulator, regulated company or consultancy.

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

BPSS - To be vetted you must have the right to work in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken.

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

For more information on BPSS clearance please visit - BPSS clearance

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.

Relocation & Property

The CAA will be relocating from Aviation House (Our Gatwick Office) to new premises in a few years’ time. Our move is driven by strategic, operational and environmental considerations.

We will be moving to a new local home, up to a 15-mile radius of Aviation House, to minimise disruption for our valued colleagues and customers.

We are now working with colleagues and visitors to understand what we need in our new office, before we start our property search. We will sell Aviation House and land, vacate the site and move to new premises, but we do not expect to move before 2028

Inclusive Recruitment

We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Use of Artificial Intelligence by candidates in the CAA recruitment process

We recognise that many of our candidates find Artificial Intelligence to be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected on that basis.

Working With Us

We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.

We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!

Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here

Closing Date: Sunday 22nd February 2026

Interview Date: W/C Monday 2nd or 9th March 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

No recruitment agencies please.