At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct financial resilience assessments and support regulatory decisions to safeguard consumers.
- Company: Join the FCA, a key regulator in UK financial services.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, private healthcare, and a flexible benefits scheme.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial stability and consumer protection.
- Qualifications: Experience in prudential risk management and regulatory frameworks is essential.
The predicted salary is between 53800 - 72000 £ per year.
This role is graded as: Senior Associate, Regulatory
About the FCA and team
We regulate financial services firms in the UK, to keep financial markets fair, thriving and effective. By joining us, you'll play a key part in protecting consumers, driving economic growth, and shaping the future of UK finance services. SPC oversees firms and individuals (supervision), creates and reviews the rules by which they operate (policy) and identifies and remedies ineffective competition in markets (competition). Sitting within the Specialist Directorate, the Financial Resilience department (FRD) leads the FCA's efforts to minimise consumer and market harm from weaknesses in firms' financial resilience by setting standards through rules and guidance, and by providing specialist supervision and data capabilities.
Role responsibilities
- Conduct and support in-depth financial resilience assessments across a diverse portfolio of wholesale and retail firms, identifying vulnerabilities and help safeguard consumers, markets and financial stability giving you exposure to complex business models.
- Deliver high-quality analysis and recommendations that support timely, evidence-based regulatory decisions and are well informed and effective.
- Evaluate and apply the most appropriate regulatory tools, helping firms meet financial resilience standards, deepening your knowledge in prudential regulation and enhancing your decision-making capability.
- Coach and mentor Associate colleagues, sharing technical expertise and supporting capability across the team whilst developing your own people management skills.
- Collaborate closely with front line supervisors, contributing to joined up regulatory outcomes, expanding your network and deepening your understanding of supervisory practices.
- Demonstrate sound judgement, effective stakeholder engagement and personal accountability, acting as a role model for FCA values and behaviours.
- Apply prudential regulatory frameworks across a range of firm types and business models, building technical knowledge and gain regulatory insight.
- Engage professionally with senior internal and external stakeholders, providing clear advice, shaping outcomes, building alignment and contributing to strategic work.
Skills required
- Minimum: Demonstrable knowledge and experience in prudential risk management and regulatory frameworks, enabling effective assessment of firm resilience and regulatory compliance.
- Prior experience of FCA-regulated firms, including an understanding of their business models and the risks they face.
- Demonstrable experience of assessing, managing, challenging, or making decisions on risk and financial resilience within regulated financial institutions.
- Essential: Demonstrated ability to navigate and resolve complex prudential issues, applying sound judgement to deliver balanced and well-reasoned outcomes.
- Demonstrated analytical capability with the ability to interpret complex information and articulate clear, evidence-based views, both verbally and in high-quality written outputs.
- Experience leading projects to completion within defined timelines and quality standards, ensuring delivery of robust and reliable outcomes.
- A collaborative professional with a commitment to inclusion, able to build relationships, influence stakeholders, and promote alignment towards shared departmental objectives.
- Experience in coaching and mentoring colleagues on professional and technical subjects, contributing to capability development and knowledge sharing within the team.
Benefits
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Non-contributory pension (8-12% depending on age) and life assurance at eight times your salary.
- Private healthcare with Bupa, income protection, and 24/7 Employee Assistance.
- 35 hours of paid volunteering annually.
- Colleagues spend a minimum of 50% of their working time in the office each month (60% for Directors and Executive Directors) across our London, Leeds and Edinburgh offices.
- A flexible benefits scheme designed around your lifestyle.
Our values and culture
Our colleagues are the key to our success as a regulator. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture: one that's free from discrimination and bias, celebrates difference, and supports colleagues to deliver at their best. We believe that our differences and similarities enable us to be a better organisation - one that makes better decisions, drives innovation, and delivers better regulation.
If you require any adjustments due to a disability or condition, your recruiter is here to help - reach out for tailored support. We welcome diverse working styles and aim to find flexible solutions that suit both the role and individual needs, including options like part-time and job sharing where applicable.
Disability confident: our hiring approach
We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, and therefore, people or individuals with disabilities and long-term conditions who best meet the minimum criteria for a role will go through to the next stage of the recruitment process. In cases of high application volumes, we may progress applicants whose experience most closely matches the role's key requirements.
Useful information and timelines
- Advert Close Date: 20th November 2026 (midnight).
- CV Review/Shortlist: 24th - 26th November 2026.
- Screening call with Hiring Manager 30th November - 2nd December 2026.
- Interviews w/c 7th December 2026.
Your Recruiter will discuss the process in detail with you during screening for the role, therefore, please make them aware if you are going to be unavailable for any date during this time.
Senior Risk Specialist | London, UK employer: FCA
Foster Care Associates (The FCA) is an outstanding employer that prioritises the well-being and professional development of its staff. With a supportive work culture, generous benefits including a £2,000 car allowance and up to 35 days of annual leave, employees are encouraged to grow within their roles while making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families across the South West. Located in Ivybridge, this position offers a unique opportunity to work in a vibrant community dedicated to fostering excellence in care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Risk Specialist | London, UK
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like FCA. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Risk Specialist | London, UK
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to FCA.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on FCA's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at FCA
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with FCA.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at FCA will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former FCA employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.