Lead Economist and Policy Specialist

Job description

Overview

RSSB is seeking a Lead Economist and Policy Specialist to join our Standards Management, Policy and Strategy team. The team plays a key role in developing and managing railway standards on behalf of the GB rail industry, while also providing expertise in policy, regulatory affairs, economics, commercial services and value measurement across RSSB.

As Lead Economist and Policy Specialist, you will provide expert advice that bridges economics and regulatory policy. Reporting to the Principal Regulatory and Policy Specialist, you will help shape rail standards and wider RSSB strategies by combining robust economic analysis with sound policy thinking. Your work will directly inform decisions taken by industry leaders, government and regulators, including the safety, interoperability and economic case for new and revised standards used across the GB rail network.

You will represent RSSB at cross-industry committees and forums, work alongside senior colleagues at DfT and ORR, and play a leading role in establishing good practice in both economics and policy across the organisation. This role offers a rare opportunity to build genuine dual expertise within a unique organisation at the heart of Britain's railway. This is a permanent opportunity, based at our Fenchurch Avenue office with hybrid working. The close date for this role is 20th September 2026.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert economic advice on business cases, impact assessments and value-for-money appraisals, helping standards committees and cross-industry groups reach well-evidenced decisions.
• Shape and continuously improve the application, continuous improvement and quality assurance of economic assessment methodologies (including cost-benefit analysis aligned with HMT Green Book and DfT TAG), working with and coaching colleagues to strengthen the consistency, rigour and credibility of RSSB's evidence base across rail standards work and wider RSSB activities.
• Evidence the value of RSSB's work in support of the Value Management Office, translating outputs into measurable benefits for the rail industry.
• Advise on rail safety, interoperability and standards-related policy frameworks, supporting RSSB's customers, RSSB's Standards Directorate and the national research, development and innovation programme.
• Develop and shape policy positions and strategies for the directorate and wider business, working together with colleagues to ensure they are underpinned by robust economic and regulatory evidence.
• Engage with government, the regulator and industry bodies to help shape and resolve policy and regulatory issues, interpreting changes in legislation, regulation and industry policy affecting railway standards and advising RSSB and its members on the implications and appropriate responses.
• Communicate complex economic and policy concepts clearly to non-technical audiences, producing written and verbal outputs that engage stakeholders and support sound decisions, and contributing to delivery of the Rail Standards Strategy and Business Plan commitments.
• Deliver economic and/or policy consultancy and training as part of RSSB's commercial work programme, providing members and clients with expert advice.

Qualifications

Essential:

• A minimum of a 2:1 bachelor's degree in economics, public policy, social sciences, mathematics or a related quantitative discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Significant demonstrable experience in both economic analysis (e.g. cost-benefit analysis, impact assessment) and regulatory or public policy work, ideally in a regulated industry, with a track record of supporting, coaching or quality-assuring others' work.
• Extensive knowledge of HMT Green Book and DfT TAG (or equivalent appraisal and evaluation frameworks), and the ability to apply them in a complex policy environment.
• Sound reasoning skills applied in a complex industry context, with experience using data and tools for economic and statistical analysis.
• Ability to interpret legislation, regulation and policy and advise on their implications, with experience engaging government departments, regulators or industry bodies to shape and resolve policy issues.
• Ability to communicate complex economic and policy concepts clearly to non-technical audiences, both in writing and verbally.
• Experience writing and reviewing technical documents, demonstrating attention to detail.
• Committed to proactively seeking opportunities to broaden your skills and experience, including the ability to quickly grasp unfamiliar technical and regulatory areas and a willingness to learn from and with others.
• Communicate effectively and share thoughts and ideas through methods appropriate to the audience.
• Adapt and respond effectively when embracing new opportunities, change and in navigating uncertainty.
• Actively contribute as part of a team and work towards achieving team goals and outcomes.
• Take responsibility and demonstrate accountability in completing tasks and achieving objectives, actively seeking to resolve problems and identify opportunities.
• Committed to customer service and placing customer satisfaction at the heart of our success to ensure we deliver against our shared goals.
• Can work collaboratively within an evolving industry, gaining stakeholder confidence through understanding their goals and motivations and demonstrating credibility as an expert.
• Make timely, informed decisions taking account of the benefits and constraints involved

Desirable

• A postgraduate qualification in economics or a related discipline.
• Experience applying quantitative methods and rail or transport appraisal guidelines (e.g. TAG, PDFH, Green Book) using tools such as Python, SQL or R.
• Knowledge of rail performance and operations, or experience in rail analysis modelling (e.g. economic benefits, performance, crowding, cost, revenue, or appraisal).

Why Join RSSB?

We value our people and offer a competitive benefits package, including:

• 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• Private medical and dental cover
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Season ticket loan and travel subsidy
• Cycle to work scheme
• Volunteer leave
• Performance-related bonus
• Pension scheme
• Learning and development opportunities

Ready to Apply?

If you're ready to take the next step in your career with RSSB, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now.

We value diversity and equal opportunities in employment and are committed to creating a workplace which is inclusive to everyone. As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, we encourage candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria, to apply for our jobs. If you have applied under the Disability Confident Scheme, please let us know in advance by emailing [email protected] Find out more about Diversity and Inclusion at RSSB: Rail Safety and Standards Board Careers - VERCIDA

If you require any reasonable adjustments with respect to our selection process including information in an alternative format, please contact us at [email protected]