Head of Regulatory Policy and Engagement
Salary or salary range: £62,555 - £72,233
Contract type: Fixed contract
Location of position: Office is based in Birmingham close to New Street Station. Hybrid working arrangement between 4-8 days in the office.
Application deadline: 28 May 2024
Background
The Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) was established by the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015. Fiona Dickie was appointed to the role of the Pubs Code Adjudicator in May 2020, having previously acted as Deputy from November 2017. Fiona was reappointed to the role for a further three-year term running from May 2024 until May 2027.
The role of the PCA is to enforce the statutory Pubs Code (the Code) which came into force in July 2016. The Code regulates the relationship between large pub-owning businesses and their tied tenants (a tied tenant is someone who is obliged to buy at least some of their alcohol from their landlord, sometimes with other products or services, usually in return for a reduced rent). The PCA is independent, with powers to arbitrate individual Code disputes and investigate suspected breaches of the Code. You can find out more about the PCA’s first investigation here. The Code applies to pub-owning businesses which own 500 or more tied pubs in England and Wales.
Further information on PCA can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/pubs-code-adjudicator
Responsibilities
The Pubs Code Adjudicator is responsible for monitoring and encouraging compliance with, and enforcing, the Pubs Code.
The Role
This is a senior role in the PCA, with a seat on the Management Board.
Using your honed policy skills, you will help deliver the PCA’s strategic priorities as an inclusive, expert regulator in this technical and complex environment. The role is key to delivering a challenging regulatory agenda as part of the PCA’s 3-year strategy published in August 2022.
The PCA is seeking an expert communicator and a strong leader who displays passion and enthusiasm for our work, helping to inspire colleagues, stakeholders and industry experts to fully engage with the Pubs Code and the PCA’s strategic objectives.
You will demonstrate and embed a culture of inclusion and equal opportunity for all.
You will have excellent communication skills, able to explain complex matters in a simple and accessible way, both in writing and verbally, to a wide range of stakeholders. You will be able to proactively create, maintain and promote a strong network of contacts across the PCA, BEIS and externally with stakeholders.
You will be experienced in advising senior officials (including at Board level) and ministers, securing and maintaining their trust and confidence.
The work of the PCA is technical and often fast paced. You will be able to promote resilience and responsiveness within the PCA and provide clarity about the action required to achieve results and address unexpected developments, within the PCA and with key stakeholders. You will be expected to share knowledge and resources across boundaries to support the PCA’s objectives and you will be equally at home knowing how and when to procure external support, deliver targeted regulatory activity and have good financial acumen to support the PCA’s objectives.
The PCA is a small friendly team that requires a flexible approach to delivering the PCA’s objectives . Training relating to the industry and the Pubs Code is regularly available and the PCA offers the opportunity to develop new skills and secure qualifications.
The Person
Essential Criteria:
• Lead the strategic development of regulatory policy in existing and emerging areas - design and oversight of use of PCA powers of advice and guidance.
• Set strategic direction and lead stakeholder engagement, events, articles and other media.
• Lead for regulatory action with pub-owning businesses (POBs) (including collaborative working with G6 Director of Business Management and Development)
• Contract management for comms agency.
• Design and oversight of tenants’ Code understanding (including methods of communications, website, survey outputs etc)
• Oversight of development and training of, and for, experts related to Code activities.
• Strategic development of effective CCO and BDM operations to bring about culture change.
Desirable Criteria
• Demonstrate a proven track record of your ability to learn and apply complex legislation.
Process and closing date
The deadline for applications is 4.00pm on Tuesday 28 May 2024. Please send completed applications or to request further information email Julia.Tortise@pubscodeadjudicator.gov.uk