Working for CMA

Careers that make a difference to people and businesses across the UK.

We work to promote competition for the benefit of consumers across all sectors of the UK economy.

As a world-leading competition authority, our work is varied, high-profile and underpinned by the highest professional standards.

Our staff work across the UK and we have offices in London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff. Through our commitment to flexible working, we support our staff to do their best work, wherever they are.

What’s it like to work at the CMA

Find out more about life at the CMA on our LinkedIn life pages

Apply to join us

Our vacancies are advertised on Civil Service Jobs.

Applying to the CMA Standing Counsel panel

The CMA first established its Standing Counsel panel in 2015 and has since expanded the panel across two further recruitment rounds. The CMA is now seeking to appoint at least six additional junior counsel to its Standing Counsel panel.

In combination we expect these appointments to bring further generalist competition experience, as well as particular expertise in:

  • digital markets and/or technology regulation to assist with the Digital Markets Unit
  • consumer law to assist with the new administrative enforcement model
  • director disqualification

Appointments will be made under the following arrangement:

  • the appointment will be for an initial period of three years, with the possibility of an extension for up to a further three years
  • Standing Counsel will be expected to prioritise accepting instructions from the CMA wherever possible
  • before accepting any instructions to act against the CMA, or which might lead to acting against the CMA, Standing Counsel will notify the CMA of the proposed instruction. The CMA will consider these notifications on a case-by-case basis to ensure any such instructions do not risk giving rise to a conflict of interest
  • Standing Counsel will be expected to deliver training to CMA staff throughout the duration of their appointment

If you need assistance filling out the application form, please email standingcounsel2024@cma.gov.uk and a member of the team will get back to you.

Please note that due to a number of extension requests, the closing date for receipt of applications has been extended to 4pm on Friday 4 October 2024.

Our offer to you

CMA staff enjoy a range of benefits, including:

  • access to an excellent civil service pension scheme
  • 25 days’ annual leave (increasing to 30 days over a 5-year period)
  • supportive parental and special leave policies
  • flexible working patterns, including working from home
  • a focus on work-life balance: we want our staff to deliver their best work, and we make sure you can balance that with your personal life

Other employee benefits:

  • interest-free season ticket and cycle to work scheme
  • employee health and wellbeing initiatives; including flu jabs, free eye tests and mental health support
  • learning opportunities, including internal and external training, management and leadership development, and sponsorship for professional qualifications
  • paid-for professional memberships

Career development

We’re committed to maximising our employees potential by supporting them to develop the knowledge, professional and technical skills and experience required to advance their careers.

We offer a range of professional and skills training through the CMA Academy, as well as access to Civil Service wide learning and development opportunities.

Learn more on our training and development LinkedIn page.

Equality and diversity

We’re committed to implementing and monitoring our equality and diversity policies with the aim of recruiting, retaining and promoting staff regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation.

We’re proud of our accreditations and memberships, including:

  • Time to Change Champion
  • The Prince’s Responsible Business Network - Race At Work Charter
  • Disability Confident Employer

As part of our commitment to reducing barriers to employment, we guarantee an interview to any candidate with a disability who meets our minimum selection criteria.

Further information

To find out more information, read about the CMA’s strategy and future plans:

For more information on working at the CMA, visit our careers page.

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