At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational and cyber resilience initiatives, shaping regulatory thinking and enhancing sector capabilities.
- Company: Join the FCA, a key regulator in UK financial services, ensuring fairness and effectiveness.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, private healthcare, and a flexible benefits scheme tailored to your lifestyle.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial markets while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in technology and cyber resilience, with strong analytical and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 60700 - 80766 £ per year.
Division: Supervision, Policy and Competition
Department: Technology, Resilience and Cyber
Salary: National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from 60,700 to 80,766 and London 66,600 to 88,666 per annum (Salary offered will be based on skills and experience)
This role is graded as: Lead 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, our Technology, Resilience and Cyber (TRC) department works with financial firms to improve the resilience of their systems against cyber threats and operational disruptions - helping protect consumers, safeguard markets, and build trust in the technology that powers financial services.
Role responsibilities:
- Act as the Operational Resilience expert, providing trusted advice and guidance across the team, wider department and the FCA, helping shape regulatory thinking and support resilient outcomes across the sector.
- Manage strategic engagement with portfolio supervision teams, building close partnerships that shape supervisory priorities and ensure technology, resilience and cyber risks are effectively understood and managed.
- Perform assessments of large firms, delivering forward looking, evidence based insights that enable supervisors to make informed decisions and identify where further action is needed to enhance firms' technology, resilience and cyber capabilities.
- Conduct the analysis of significant cyber and technology incidents, uncovering key insights, identifying systemic risks and helping shape regulatory responses that enhance market resilience.
- Own and deliver high profile thematic initiatives, coordinating activity across teams and working with others to deliver meaningful results on complex technology and resilience challenges.
- Represent the FCA in technical discussions with senior industry stakeholders and partner authorities, building credibility, building relationships and contributing to broader resilience objectives across the financial sector.
- Conduct market-wide analysis and peer benchmarking, assessing firms' technology and cyber maturity to identify trends, highlight leading practices and support evidence-based regulatory decision-making.
- Coach, mentor and develop colleagues, sharing knowledge and providing constructive feedback to build capability, improve performance and promote a culture of continuous learning.
Skills required:
- Minimum: Prior experience analysing complex information and making judgements based on this.
- Demonstrable experience identifying and presenting recommendations to stakeholders, in relation to technology and cyber resilience capabilities.
- Essential: Demonstrated experience in inspiring, motivating, and leading effective teams and stakeholders to achieve shared objectives.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts clearly and effectively to diverse audiences.
- Solid understanding of widely used technology, cybersecurity frameworks, standards, and best practice guidance, with the ability to apply these within a business context.
- Knowledge of, or experience within, the Wholesale, Retail, or Insurance sectors, with an appreciation of the associated business, regulatory, and risk environments.
- Highly analytical with strong problem solving capabilities, exercising sound judgement and attention to detail; focused on delivering high-quality work and maintaining the highest professional standards.
- Relevant industry qualifications e.g. CRISC, CISM, CISSP, IS027001 / 2 Lead Auditor/Implementer or alternatives.
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.
- Hybrid model where employees work a minimum of 40% in the office each month (expectation of 50% for senior leaders). Changing from September to a minimum of 50% in the office each month (expectation of 60% for Directors and Executive Directors).
- 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: 18th August 2026
CV Review/Shortlist: 20th August 2026
First Interview and Case Study Assessment: W/C 31st August 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.
SC Clearance is required for this role (SC Guidance) - you will hold or will be required to obtain Security Check (SC) level vetting.
Summary Location: London; Leeds; Edinburgh Type: Full time
Locations
Operational and Cyber Resilience Lead in Midlothian, Scotland employer: Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
The FCA is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can make a significant impact on the financial services industry. With a strong commitment to employee development, a diverse and inclusive culture, and comprehensive benefits including private healthcare and generous leave, you'll find ample opportunities for growth and collaboration in our Edinburgh, Leeds, and London offices. Join us to be part of a team that values innovation and integrity while shaping the future of UK finance.
Contact Details:
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operational and Cyber Resilience Lead in Midlothian, Scotland
✨Get Involved in the Cybersecurity Community
Diving into the cybersecurity community is key for landing that full-time gig. Join forums like Reddit's r/cybersecurity or attend local meetups to connect with industry veterans and other job seekers. Networking is everything in this field—don’t just be a passive lurker!
✨Show Off Your Skills with Capture the Flag Competitions
Participate in Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions; these are not just a fun way to boost your skills but also a chance to showcase your talent to potential employers. Many companies, including Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), love seeing candidates who actively engage in these challenges.
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✨Apply Directly Through Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
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We think you need these skills to ace Operational and Cyber Resilience Lead in Midlothian, Scotland
Some tips for your application 🫡
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Use real-world examples:When writing your cover letter, don’t just stick to your qualifications. Share real-world examples of how you’ve tackled security issues or vulnerabilities. This gives the hiring team at Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) insight into your practical problem-solving abilities and makes your application memorable.
Demonstrate your passion for cybersecurity:Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, so show us that you’re always learning! Mention any recent courses, webinars, or industry events you’ve attended. This not only exhibits your enthusiasm but also signals to Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) that you’re committed to staying ahead in the game.
How to prepare for a job interview at Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
✨Sharpen Your Technical Skills
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✨Highlight Your Certifications
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✨Show Your Passion for Cybersecurity
Since you’re going for a full-time gig, showing genuine enthusiasm for the field can make all the difference. Share any personal projects, blogs, or communities you’re part of that relate to cybersecurity. This not only showcases your passion but also your commitment to staying engaged in this ever-evolving field.
