Debt Policy and Practices Lead

Working at HM Treasury puts you at the heart of government, making a difference to the UK economy and ultimately to people's lives right across the UK.

As Debt Policy and Practices Lead, you will develop evidence-based policy and practical projects to improve how government prevents and resolves overdue debt. Your work will support delivery of the 2026–2030 Government Debt Management Strategy, protecting public money and ensuring debt is recovered efficiently, effectively and fairly.

You will take an innovative approach to complex debt policy challenges, drawing on evidence, user research and sector expertise. We will rely on you to identify emerging issues, develop guidance and turn ideas into practical improvements in government debt management.

You will bring together operational departments, policy teams, finance colleagues, advice organisations and private sector experts to develop coordinated solutions. Your work will support consistent, proportionate approaches, including for people and businesses facing financial difficulty or barriers to repayment.

We are looking for someone with deep debt management knowledge, strong policy skills, and understanding of operational challenges and strategic awareness. You will communicate complex issues clearly, build effective relationships and provide well-supported advice to government organisations, ministers and senior officials. You will lead projects, exercise sound judgement and deliver practical outcomes while responding flexibly to changing priorities.

Key Accountabilities for this role:

• Lead the development of evidence-based debt policy and projects that support government to prevent debt arising and resolve overdue debt.
• Bring together debt policy and operational experts from across government, the advice sector and the private sector to identify shared challenges and develop coordinated, practical solutions.
• Monitor emerging issues in debt management and develop clear guidance that helps public bodies manage risks and improve outcomes for people and businesses, including those facing financial difficulty or other barriers to repayment.
• Gather and interpret data, evidence and user research to inform debt policy and improve the consistency and efficiency of how government manages and resolves debt.
• Build effective relationships across government and with external partners, drawing on their expertise to shape debt policy and support shared priorities.
• Provide authoritative debt policy advice to ministers and senior officials, using specialist expertise to support decisions and resolve complex issues.
• Coordinate accurate and timely responses to press and public enquiries, working closely with the Treasury Press Office and relevant policy teams.
• Contribute flexibly to the wider work of the Government Debt Management Function and Public Spending Group, helping the team respond effectively to changing priorities while supporting an inclusive working environment.

Benefits:

Alongside your salary of £60,170, HM Treasury contributes £17,431 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

• Generous Annual Leave - 25 days (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus public holidays and the King's birthday.
• Outstanding Pension Scheme - Defined Benefit pension with employer contributions of 28.97%
• Parental Leave Packages - Including 6 months' occupational pay for maternity/adoption, shared parental leave options.
• Advance Schemes & Discounts - Rental deposit, cycle-to-work, SmartTech, season ticket loans, and access to HM Treasury's benefits portal for a wide range of discounts.
• Flexible & Hybrid Working - Options include part-time, job-share, compressed hours, flexitime, and hybrid working.