At a Glance
- Tasks: Join the Payments Policy team to shape innovative payment models and drive regulatory change.
- Company: Be part of the FCA, a key player in UK financial regulation.
- 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 the future of finance while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in financial services and strong analytical skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 43100 - 50100 £ per year.
Division: Supervision, Policy & Competition (SPC)
Department: Cross-Cutting Market Analysis and Strategy
Salary banding: National (Leeds and Edinburgh) from £43,100 to £50,200 and London from £47,300 to £55,100 (salary offered will be based on skills and experience)
This role is graded as: Associate – Level 8 – 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 in the Payments and Digital Assets directorate, the Policy department develops policy to address the challenges and opportunities the FCA identifies in payments, crypto, open banking, open finance sectors.
Role responsibilities
- Play an active role in the Payments Policy team, helping to deliver a major regulatory modernisation programme and supporting policy development on innovative payment models, including agentic commerce
- Support wider project delivery and management of FCA policy governance
- Deliver impactful payments policy projects by applying your expertise in analysis and project management, shaping the future of financial regulation and innovation
- Build close cross-functional relationships across the organisation, promoting collaboration that accelerates policy delivery and enhances the FCA’s influence
- Shape policy proposals that directly influence regulatory frameworks, ensuring fair, transparent, and future-ready markets
- Role model FCA’s Values and Core Capabilities, inspiring high standards and integrity across the organisation
Skills required
- Minimum: Prior experience of working within financial services or a regulated industry
- Demonstrable experience of analysing information and forming a judgement
- Demonstrable experience in supporting on policy development
- Essential: Good organisational skills with the ability to manage a variety of competing priorities and issues
- Problem solving and strategic thinking skills
- Good stakeholder management skills with the ability to build a network across the organisation
- Good written and oral communication skills
- Willingness to learn and develop, taking on new responsibilities and adopting a flexible and pragmatic approach to your work
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 closing: 15th June 2026 at 23:59
- CV Review/Shortlist: 17th June 2026
- Interview: 22nd to the 30th June 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.
Payments Policy Associate in London employer: Financial Conduct Authority
The FCA is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Leeds or Edinburgh where you can contribute to shaping the future of 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, you'll find meaningful opportunities for growth and collaboration within a supportive team. Join us to make a real impact on regulatory frameworks while enjoying a flexible working model that respects your lifestyle.
Contact Details:
Financial Conduct Authority Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Payments Policy Associate in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the FCA on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the FCA's recent projects and policies. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about shaping the future of financial services.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your STAR technique for answering competency questions. We want to hear about your past experiences and how they relate to the skills we’re looking for, so be ready to share specific examples.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our online portal! It’s the only way to get your application seen, so make sure you follow the process to the letter. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace Payments Policy Associate in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Payments Policy Associate role. Highlight your experience in financial services and any relevant skills that match the job description. We want to see how you can contribute to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about payments policy and how your background makes you a great fit for the FCA. Keep it engaging and personal, so we get a sense of who you are.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to showcase your organisational and problem-solving skills in your application. We’re looking for someone who can juggle multiple priorities and think strategically, so give us examples of how you've done this in the past.
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. Head over to our website and get your application in!
How to prepare for a job interview at Financial Conduct Authority
✨Know Your Payments Policy
Before the interview, dive deep into the current trends and challenges in the payments sector. Familiarise yourself with recent regulatory changes and how they impact financial services. This will not only show your interest but also your expertise in the field.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be prepared to discuss specific examples where you've analysed information and formed judgements in a previous role. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it clear how your analytical skills can contribute to policy development.
✨Build Relationships
Highlight your experience in stakeholder management during the interview. Share examples of how you've built networks across organisations and collaborated on projects. This is crucial for the role, so demonstrating your ability to foster relationships will set you apart.
✨Embrace Flexibility and Learning
The FCA values a willingness to learn and adapt. Be ready to discuss how you've taken on new responsibilities in the past and how you approach challenges with a flexible mindset. This will resonate well with their culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
