A strong understanding of firms' and investors' strategies and business models is vital to our work and we are taking steps to deepen our capability in this area. This is an important element of our wider build out of a world-leading strategic insight and analytics capability within a regulatory body, which has already involved establishing a new Executive Directorate for Data, Technology and Insight (DTI), bringing together an exciting mix of complementary skills and expertise in areas such as strategic analysis, data analytics, and artificial intelligence.
We have begun to build out a new 'strategic business analysis' capability to deepen our understanding of firms' strategies and business models (including in relation to AI and 'digital ecosystems'). Bringing the voice and perspective of businesses and investors directly into our work is vital to helping create the conditions for innovation, investment and growth in the UK.
As a key part of this, we are looking to hire one or more Strategic Business Analysts with the skills and drive to develop this capability and deliver our organisational ambition in this space. This is an exciting opportunity to spearhead the establishment of an innovative new profession and shape our wider organisational thinking and approach. You will build out our capability and capacity in strategic business analysis, delivering robust insight at pace.
Your input will shape the CMA's work and thinking upstream through proactive research as well as on a wide range of live cases and investigations, including complex digital cases. You will draw on a sophisticated, real-world understanding of how businesses and investors operate, as well as an ambition and ability to develop and exploit cutting-edge interdisciplinary approaches to deepen and expedite our insight.
You can read more about the CMA and the work we do in our Candidate Information Pack ., Responsibilities will vary across projects and cases, but will typically include:
+ Strategic business analysis: Understanding how firms and markets currently operate and how this could evolve in the future. You will gather relevant information, analyse and advise upon the implications of a broad range of strategic and business issues as they relate to the firms we investigate - e.g. digital platforms, and fast-evolving markets like Artificial Intelligence. This could include:
o Ecosystem: trends/ disruptive forces, competitive analysis, systems thinking, profit pools
o Business and investors: business model, strategy, sources of competitive advantage, incentives, "playbook", funding model
o Future: strategic options, industry scenarios and drivers
+ Helping build a new function entrepreneurially: supporting the creation of a world-leading function specialising in strategic analysis, engaging colleagues and stakeholders effectively, identifying scope to generate value through impactful strategic insights and analysis across the waterfront of CMA work, from horizon scanning through to live cases and investigations, including complex digital cases.
+ Problem-solving, using a hypothesis-driven approach, sound analytical skills and good judgement to identify the scope for impactful strategic insight and analysis, and deliver this effectively.
+ Communicating effectively: Through presentations and written reports, communicating findings from your analysis, and articulating clearly the implications for a project or case. Audiences will include senior decision makers, other colleagues and a wide range of external stakeholders and experts.
+ Team working: You will be a committed and highly respected member of multi-disciplinary project teams, working collaboratively and contributing to wider work and discussions in order to help inform conclusions beyond your own analysis., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Seeing the Big Picture
+ Working Together
+ Making Effective Decisions
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Developing Self and Others, This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Existing CMA staff can apply for this position and remain working from their current office location.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement and an online application form. Further details about application requirements are listed on the application form.
The selection process will comprise of the sift (CV & application review) and an interview. Arrangements for the interview will be enclosed in the invitation. Interviews will be either conducted either virtually, by Microsoft Teams, or in-person at a CMA office.
Sift Stage
An initial sift based on criteria 1 and 2 (Lead Criteria) may be held if a large number of applications are received. If your application progresses to a full sift, all elements of the essential criteria listed under Person Specification (above, below and in the attached candidate pack) will then be considered.
The sift will take place week commencing 8th September 2025.
If your application is successful you will be invited to attend an interview. You will be notified via email to log-in to your Civil Service Account and book your interview slot. You will be sent an email with full details of your arrangements for interview.
Interview Stage
Interviews will be held week commencing 22nd September 2025.
The first part of the interview will comprise a presentation, details of which will be forwarded in advance of the interview. The second part of the interview will be a 45-minute -1 hour panel interview in which you will be asked questions based on the Behaviours and Experience skills outlined in the role profile.
The CMA value being tested at interview is 'Collaborative'.
For additional help, please see our Application Tips and Guidance.
Reasonable adjustments:
We want to make sure no one is at a disadvantage during our recruitment process because of a disability, condition or impairment. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should complete the "Assistance required" section in the "Additional requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process.
For example, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you are deaf, a Language Service Professional. You might also require additional time to complete a timed assessment or a sign language interpreter to support with the relaying of information.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
1) Demonstrable relevant strategic experience and expertise, including experience in analysing strategies and/or business models in real-world industries and competitive dynamics. This could include experience in strategy consulting, in-house strategy, investment banking, private equity, equity research, or other relevant organisations or qualifications. (Lead Criterion)
2) Ability to engage with businesses and investors, with a collaborative growth, opportunity, "full potential" upside language and mindset (Lead Criterion)
3) Effective problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills, with the ability to frame and structure problems, identify the information required to robustly test ideas, and deliver an answer effectively.
4) Good communication and presentation skills (oral and written) which result in persuasive, objective, well-reasoned arguments and the ability to communicate to a variety of audiences.
5) Ability to operate in a multi-stakeholder team, including building effective relationships with colleagues to achieve results through collaborative work and problem solving; supporting and sharing relevant insight to contribute to team discussions and conclusions beyond your own discipline.
6) Curiosity and commitment to continuous improvement for yourself, others and the organisation, contributing to a culture of continuous improvement. Being open to developing one's own knowledge and skill set, as well as investing in the capabilities of others by giving clear, honest feedback.
It is a particularly exciting time to join the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The CMA's mission is to make markets work well for consumers, businesses, and the UK economy.
Alongside your salary of £47,650, Competition & Markets Authority contributes £13,804 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
As well as the interesting and varied work you'll do to contribute to effective competition in the UK, and to ensure consumers get a good deal when buying goods and services, you'll also benefit from:
+ 25 days leave (increasing to 30 days over five years), plus 8 public holidays and an additional day off for the King's birthday. In addition, you'll be able to access a wide range of other types of leave as and when you need it, including generous maternity, paternity, shared parental leave and adoption options, as well as paid special leave for volunteering
+ Season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, flu vaccinations and eye tests
+ Access to the Civil Service Sports & Leisure, giving discounted gym membership, high street discounts, free access to UK wide attractions and a free Tastecard
+ A range of wellbeing benefits, including an employee assistance programme, flexible working options and family friendly policies, regular networking events and professional learning opportunities at work
You can read more about our benefits in our candidate pack.
Our Values
We are Ambitious and Evidence-based, and always strive for Excellence. We treat everyone with Respect and are Collaborative and Inclusive.
Everything we do is underpinned by the Civil Service values: Honesty, Integrity, Impartiality and Objectivity.
You can read more about life at the CMA in our candidate pack.
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