At Smart, our mission is to transform retirement, savings and financial wellbeing, across all generations, around the world.

THE ROLE

The Head of Policy leads the development and delivery of the Master Trust’s policy strategy, ensuring the organisation remains a leading voice in the evolution of the UK pensions landscape.

This role is responsible for shaping and communicating the Trust’s position on policy and regulatory matters, engaging proactively with government, regulators, and industry bodies to influence outcomes that support good member outcomes, strong governance, and a sustainable pensions market.

Key responsibilities: 

Policy Strategy and Development

• Lead the development and implementation of the Master Trust’s pensions policy agenda, focusing on key areas such as automatic enrolment, retirement outcomes, decumulation, investment governance, and member engagement.

• Anticipate and respond to government and regulatory consultations, ensuring that the Trust’s position is evidence-based, credible, and aligned with its strategic objectives.

• Produce high-quality briefings, policy papers, and recommendations for the SLT and Board.

• Advise on policy implications for product design, investment strategy, and operational processes.

Stakeholder Engagement and Representation

• Act as the principal point of contact with government departments (e.g., DWP, HM Treasury) and regulators (The Pensions Regulator, FCA).

• Represent the Master Trust in industry forums, trade associations, and working groups (e.g., Pensions UK, ABI, PMI, PPI).

• Build and maintain strong relationships with policymakers, regulators, and other stakeholders to influence policy direction and enhance the Trust’s reputation as a policy leader.

• Collaborate with Communications and External Affairs teams to ensure consistent and effective messaging on policy issues.

Governance, Regulation, and Compliance

• Provide expert advice to internal stakeholders on legislative and regulatory developments impacting defined contribution (DC) pensions and Master Trust authorisation requirements.

• Work closely with Compliance, Governance, Legal, and Risk teams to ensure the Trust’s policy positions and operations remain compliant with evolving regulation.

• Support the Board and Trustee discussions with regulatory insights, risk assessments, and forward-looking analysis.

Research and Thought Leadership

• Commission and oversee research that informs the Trust’s policy positions and enhances its reputation for thought leadership.

• Drive initiatives that contribute to the public and industry debate on retirement adequacy, ESG integration, and financial wellbeing.

• Represent the Trust at conferences, panels, and media opportunities, demonstrating leadership and credibility.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The skills, experience, and aptitudes we are looking for are listed below but please don’t be discouraged from applying if you don’t meet every single one of these criteria – having a ‘can do’ attitude is sometimes more important than being able to tick every box:

• Extensive experience in pensions policy, regulation, or strategy — ideally within a Master Trust, pension provider, consultancy, or government/regulatory body.

• Deep understanding of UK DC pensions, including automatic enrolment, charge caps, default funds, and decumulation pathways.

• Proven ability to influence policymakers, regulators, and senior stakeholders.

• Strong analytical and writing skills with the ability to translate complex policy issues into clear recommendations.

• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and presentation skills.

• Strategic thinker with a focus on improving outcomes for pension scheme members.

• Experience managing or mentoring a policy or regulatory team.

• Experience working with or within The Pensions Regulator, DWP, FCA or in a similar policy role.

• Understanding of ESG and stewardship policies in the context of pension investments.

• Familiarity with data and research methods for policy analysis.

• Relevant qualifications in law, economics, public policy, or finance.

WHO WE ARE

We work in partnerships with governments and financial institutions in the UK and internationally. Our cloud-native digital platform is revolutionising how people around the world think about, and save for, their retirement.

At heart, we’re a financial technology business. What we do is all about innovation, and using the power of digital change to put the customer first. Our Engineers will tell you that working at Smart gives you the opportunity to play your part in developing world-class technological solutions, working with – and learning from – like-minded people.

You’ll also find that, across our business, our colleagues love Smart’s culture, and how what we do means better financial outcomes for savers. That feels worthwhile, and it means that what we do, collectively, goes way beyond the nine to five of a typical working day.

Don’t just take our word for it – you can see what our colleagues say about working at Smart on LinkedIn Life and Glassdoor.

BENEFITS

At Smart, one of the eight principles we work to is “We want happy and good people in our team”. We created a list of benefits that helps us achieve this goal:

• 25 days’ holiday per year, increasing with length of service.

• £500 annual training budget to spend on your professional development

• Extensive private healthcare, including dental, eyecare and EAP

• Pension scheme via salary sacrifice. Smart will match your contributions up to 7% of your salary.

• Enhanced sick leave (three months’ pay per year)

• Enhanced maternity and paternity (maternity – 6 months fully paid/paternity – 3 weeks fully paid)

• Death in service insurance cover

• Fully-paid five-week sabbatical after five years of employment

• In office wellbeing, such as manicures, massages and barbers. 

• Smart employees also enjoy a 50% discount on orders from our sister company Arena Flowers, Britain's most ethical florist. They offer unique hand-tied bouquets, luxury flowers, letterbox flowers, plants and gifts to spend on friends and loved ones or even for yourself.

We think Smart is an awesome place to work. If it sounds like somewhere you’d like to work, too, and if you’re ready to play your part in our continued success in the future, then naturally we’d love to meet you.