Senior Policy & Strategy Advisor

We’re responsible for Land Transaction Tax, Landfill Disposals Tax and the introduction of the Visitor Levy. Our work raises revenue to support public services, like the NHS and schools, in communities across Wales. But that’s not all, we're also involved with and support future tax design for Wales.

Join a place with purpose

You’ll join a team of 100+ talented people from across 14 different professions. Our culture is best described as innovative, collaborative and kind. By working together, we’ll deliver a fair tax system for Wales.

Our people

You’ll be working with people from a wide range of backgrounds and experience. From Operations, Policy, Digital and Data, HR, Communications to Finance – there’s a place for you in our friendly team.

You’ll be our greatest asset

You’ll be joining an inclusive organisation and be part of a team where you can thrive, be rewarded and heard.

We’re recognised as one of the top organisations for people engagement in the Civil Service People Survey. Inclusion and fairness are one of our strongest areas, as well as pay and benefits – our People Survey results say it all!

We’re also recognised for being innovative and a digital, ‘cloud-based’ organisation that supports hybrid and flexible working enabling a great work-life balance.

More about working for us, our roles and our Corporate Plan 2025 - 2028 .

You will play a central role in shaping the long-term direction of strategy and tax policy in WRA. This is a new role focused on WRA’s existing and future strategic approach and will be key in shaping and driving forward delivery of WRA’s objectives. This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing organisation in an impactful role.

You will support the development of the WRA corporate strategy and business planning. This high-impact role will ensure that WRA’s approach is future-focused, evidence-led, and aligned with ministerial priorities and the Welsh way of doing tax.

You’ll take a leading role in ensuring and embedding the WRA’s approach to new regulatory requirements, helping to futureproof the organisation and ensure we continue to deliver with “Our Approach” in mind.

The WRA has been growing and this is a new role which you will be able to shape it as it develops. You will gain a unique insight into how the work of government is delivered on the ground by working closely with colleagues in operational delivery, legal, and digital and data. You will influence at senior levels in WRA, the Welsh Treasury and with Ministers.

You will also support thinking on and development of tax legislation and longer term tax administration policy as well as the design of possible new WRA functions/services, working closely with Welsh Government partners and key stakeholders to explore the WRA’s future role.

“This is an exciting time for the development of the WRA and this new role plays a crucial part in shaping the future of our organisation. We’re looking for someone to take our policy and strategy development to the next level as we prepare to take on new functions and ensure our framework is fit for the future.”

• Dave Matthews, Strategy & Capability Director

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)

We’ll always be clear about how we assess your application, at each stage of the process. This will usually include:

• Assessment of your Application Form and CV against the relevant Success Criteria
• A panel interview (if you’re successful at the initial sift stage) Interviews will take place in person.
• If any additional assessments are needed for this role, such as a test or presentation at interview, we’ll let you know in advance.
• Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift will be conducted using the lead behaviour, Delivering at Pace.

We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Leader so we’ll ask you if you need any adjustments at each stage of the recruitment process. So that we can support you in a way that works for you, we’ll offer a pre-interview accessibility chat to anyone that declares a disability or needs any adjustments. This will take place with someone who is independent of the recruitment process and you won’t be placed at any disadvantage as a result of needing adjustments.

A reserve list may be held for this role for applicants that have scored above the appointable threshold at interview. This means that if a similar vacancy becomes available in the next 12 months we may contact you to offer you the role.

Success criteria

Behaviours

Criteria

Assessed in personal statement and CV

Assessed during interview or assessment

Seeing the big Picture

Understand how the strategies and activities of the team create value and meet the diverse needs of all stakeholders. Remain alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact your work area.

Yes

Yes

Delivering at pace

Act promptly to reassess workloads and priorities when there are conflicting demands to maintain performance

Yes

Yes

Communicating and influencing

Communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner - choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact. Show positivity and enthusiasm towards work, encouraging others to do the same.

No

Yes

Strengths

Criteria

Assessed in personal statement and CV

Assessed during interview or assessment

Networker

You proactively create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the organisation.

No

Yes

Challenger

You can bring a fresh perspective whatever the situation or context. You see other people’s views and appreciate that there are many different angles to consider

No

Yes

Experience

Criteria

Assessed in personal statement and CV

Assessed during interview or assessment

Experience of strategy development

Yes

Yes

We recommend you review the job description (or candidate pack) under the 'attachments' section before completing your application.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.