The Fair Work Agency (FWA) launched in April 2026 with a clear and ambitious mission: to make work fairer for everyone. We bring together key powers to protect workers, support responsible businesses, and take decisive action against exploitation. Today, we regulate employment agencies, license gangmasters in the agricultural and horticultural sectors, tackle serious labour abuse and modern slavery, and enable enforcement of the National Minimum Wage.
But this is just the start.
With new powers under the Employment Rights Act 2025, we are expanding our role even further. We are building the capability to ensure workers receive what they are entitled to, from holiday pay to statutory sick pay, and strengthening the system so that rights are not just set out in law, but actively upheld in practice.
Our approach is bold and practical:
- We empower workers, ensuring they understand their rights and can easily access support and raise concerns
- We make it easier for businesses to comply, simplifying processes and helping responsible employers do the right thing
- We take firm action against those who exploit workers and undercut fair competition
This is a unique opportunity to join an organisation at the very beginning of its journey. You will help shape how we operate, influence our culture, and play a direct role in improving outcomes for millions of workers and employers across the UK.
We are looking for people who are curious, collaborative and driven by making a real difference, people who want to build something that matters.
Job description
About the role:
We are now seeking a Head of Policy Insights and Strategic Analysis (PISA) to support the FWA’s Strategy and Impact Directorate. This is an exciting time to be joining the FWA as it expands both its remit and staffing. You will have an integral role in shaping an innovative research and analysis agenda for the FWA and helping to promote the FWA as a learning organisation.
This is a senior, influential role for someone who thrives on building capability, shaping strategy, and ensuring a strong evidence base lies at the heart of the FWA’s work.
You will lead a multidisciplinary team and directly manage 4 Grade 7s with responsibility for strategic intelligence; research and analysis; data science and wider policy insights learning from other regulators nationally and internationally. You will promote a collaborative working environment drawing on the breadth of skills, insights and experience of your team and maximising the use of data, research, and intelligence to provide the best possible evidence base to support the FWA’s strategic direction and evaluation of its impact.
This is a high-profile role within the FWA, feeding into and working closely with the FWA’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT) as well as the FWA Advisory Board. You will also forge successful relationships with policy officials, academics and other experts in the field at both national and international level, helping to establish the organisation as a recognised thought-leader in labour market compliance and enforcement.
Some UK travel will be required (mainly to other FWA sites). There may also be opportunities for international travel.
This role will suit an analytical leader with a strategic mindset who has both widespread experience and a strong appetite for collaboration and innovation; a credible leader with proven communication and influencing skills at senior level inside and outside of organisations; and someone with a reputation for delivery and quality.
Person specification
When giving details in your employment history and personal statement you should highlight your experience in line with the essential criteria.
Essential criteria:
- A strong analytical background demonstrated through either relevant professional membership/accreditation (e.g. economist, operational researcher, social researcher, statistician) or equivalent senior experience leading analysis and research work in practice
- Experience of working in a complex environment, acting as an internal expert – advising and challenging senior leaders on strategic and operational intelligence/insight matters.
- Strong evidence of shaping and leading research programmes with clear application to influencing policy development and senior decision-makers.
- Proven aptitude for leadership, building and developing multidisciplinary teams to deliver successful outcomes.
- Extensive experience working collaboratively and building policy and academic networks inside and outside of government in the UK and internationally.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills and ability to successfully influence challenging internal and external stakeholders.
Desirable criteria:
- Experience of working in labour markets or related areas
- Experience of working in a compliance and enforcement or other regulatory environment
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Managing a Quality Service
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Analysis - You will be required to prepare a presentation at interview stage
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 13th July 2026
