At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of planning data and technology for strategic decision-making.
- Company: Join the FCA, a key regulator in UK financial services.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, private healthcare, and a flexible benefits scheme.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on how the FCA plans and prioritises its work.
- Qualifications: Experience in data models and analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 49600 - 62000 € per year.
Salary: National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranges from £49,600 to £62,000 and London from £54,500 to £68,000 (salary offered will be based on skills and experience).
Role is graded as: Lead Associate - Corporate.
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. The Integrated Planning Team sits within the Portfolio Management Unit and plays an important role in helping the FCA make well‑informed, joined‑up decisions about its priorities, people and resources. The team brings together planning, data and insight from across the organisation to create a clearer picture of what can be delivered, what it will take and where the key trade‑offs and opportunities lie. Working closely with colleagues across divisions and corporate functions, the Portfolio Management Unit helps shape a more connected, forward‑looking approach to planning and portfolio oversight – giving this role the opportunity to help improve how the FCA plans, prioritises and delivers its work.
Role Responsibilities
- Shape the development of planning data and technology across strategic, annual and in‑year planning, ensuring decision‑makers have timely, high‑quality insight.
- Design and implement planning data models and standards, integrating financial, people, delivery, risk and dependency information into a clear, consistent view.
- Review and assess divisional plans, using data‑driven analysis to assess affordability, capacity, deliverability, risk and key trade‑offs.
- Develop dashboards and management information that translate complex data into clear, actionable insight for senior leaders and governance forums.
- Partner with colleagues across Planning, Finance, People, Risk and Technology to improve data quality, align requirements and enable joined‑up decision‑making.
- Build capability across the planning community through technical leadership, coaching and guidance, while continuously improving tools, processes and ways of working.
Minimum Skills Required
- Demonstrated experience designing and applying data models, standards and information structures to support complex planning, reporting and decision‑making in large organisations.
- Extensive experience analysing and constructively challenging business plans, investment proposals or similar submissions, using data to assess affordability, capacity, deliverability, risk and dependencies.
- Demonstrated ability to develop dashboards, management information and decision‑support reporting that translate complex data into clear, actionable insight for senior stakeholders.
Essential
- Ability to provide technical leadership within a specialist area, using coaching, quality assurance and guidance to enable high‑quality delivery without formal line management responsibility.
- Well‑developed analytical judgement and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, question assumptions, identify trade‑offs and turn complex information into clear, decision‑ready insight.
- Deep understanding of how large, complex organisations operate, with the ability to connect strategic priorities to operational, financial, people, risk and delivery considerations.
- Effective stakeholder management and communication, with the credibility to provide constructive challenge and communicate complex technical issues clearly to audiences at all levels, including senior leaders.
- Ability to operate effectively within structured governance environments, applying sound professional judgement where information is incomplete, priorities compete and decisions have organisation‑wide impact.
- Effective collaborative skills, with experience working across organisational boundaries—particularly with Finance, People, Risk and Technology—to improve ways of working and support joined‑up decision‑making.
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
Job advert close: Midnight, 3rd June 2026. CV review/shortlist: 5th June 2026. Interview: w/c 15th June 2026. Your recruiter will discuss the process in detail during screening for the role, so please make them aware if you are going to be unavailable for any date during this time.
Integrated Planning Data and Technology Lead employer: Financial Conduct Authority
The FCA is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Edinburgh or Leeds where you can make a significant impact on the future of UK financial services. With a strong commitment to employee development, a diverse and inclusive culture, and generous benefits including a non-contributory pension and private healthcare, the FCA fosters a supportive atmosphere that encourages collaboration and innovation. Join us to be part of a team that values your contributions and prioritises your well-being while shaping the regulatory landscape.
Contact Detail:
Financial Conduct Authority Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Integrated Planning Data and Technology Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the FCA on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the role and the team, plus it shows our genuine interest.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the FCA's recent projects and initiatives. We want to show that we’re not just interested in the job, but also in how we can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a mate to do mock interviews with us. This helps us articulate our experience and skills clearly, especially when discussing complex data and planning strategies.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through the FCA’s online portal! It’s the only way to get our application seen, so let’s make sure we follow the rules and submit everything on time.
We think you need these skills to ace Integrated Planning Data and Technology Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Integrated Planning Data and Technology Lead role. Highlight your experience with data models, planning, and stakeholder management. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how your background makes you a perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your understanding of the FCA's mission and values.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role involves a lot of data analysis, be sure to include examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. We love seeing how you can turn complex information into clear insights!
Apply Through Our Website:Remember, applications must be submitted through our online portal. Avoid sending your application via email or social media, as we won't be able to consider those. Let's keep it simple and straightforward!
How to prepare for a job interview at Financial Conduct Authority
✨Know Your Data Models
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of data models and standards. Be ready to discuss how you've designed and applied these in previous roles, especially in complex planning scenarios. This will show that you understand the technical aspects of the role.
✨Prepare for Analytical Challenges
Expect to be asked about how you analyse and challenge business plans. Prepare examples where you've used data to assess affordability, capacity, and risk. This will demonstrate your analytical judgement and problem-solving skills, which are crucial for this position.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Think of instances where you've effectively communicated complex information to senior stakeholders. Be ready to explain how you manage relationships across different teams, particularly with Finance, People, Risk, and Technology. This will highlight your collaborative skills.
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Style
Even if you won't have formal line management responsibilities, be prepared to discuss how you provide technical leadership and coaching. Share examples of how you've guided teams or individuals to improve processes and deliver high-quality results.