At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape UK finance policy and protect consumers through impactful projects.
- Company: Join the FCA, a leading regulator in financial services.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, hybrid work, and private healthcare.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture with flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in consumer finance and drive positive change.
- Qualifications: Experience in consumer finance policy and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 52400 - 68000 £ per year.
Division: Supervision, Policy & Competition
Department: Consumer Finance
Salary: National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £52,400 to £68,000 and London from £57,700 to £75,000 (salary offered will be based on skills and experience)
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). The Consumer Finance Directorate is responsible for the supervision and policy making for the consumer finance market encompassing 30,000 firms across 8 portfolios. It also encompasses 3 additional portfolios claims management companies, credit unions and mortgage intermediaries.
The successful candidate will play a vital role in the critical work the Consumer Finance Policy team undertakes in protecting consumers in the UK. Our work is frequently concerned with issues facing the most vulnerable in society and their use of credit and debt products. As a Senior Policy Advisor, you will have the opportunity to make an impact through ownership of one or more projects and in supporting the work of the wider team.
Role responsibilities:
- Collaboratively work with colleagues to develop policy proposals and take them through internal and external processes
- Draft briefings and papers to explain complex issues
- Present recommendations to the FCA Board and Executive Committees
- Help manage the team’s reactive workload (supporting other teams, responding to MPs letter & queries)
- Work with external stakeholders (e.g., the consumer credit industry, HM Treasury, consumer bodies) to promote our objectives
- Share your knowledge and best practice with colleagues
- Work on high-profile projects including reform of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, the Credit Information Market Study, and our review of our CONC 3 financial promotion roles
Skills required:
- Minimum: Prior experience of assessing data and intelligence and identifying relevant issues and themes
- Demonstrable experience of analysing and resolving policy issues
- Experience of communicating complex policy developments effectively to internal and external stakeholders
- Essential: Knowledge derived from direct and recent experience of working in the consumer finance market or in the regulation of similar markets
- Experience of leading projects to deliver strategy, framework, risk strategy and controls
- Good understanding of the wider business, economic and market environment
- Well-developed analytical capability with the ability to quickly and clearly draw out key implications from a broad and varied range of information
- A self-managed thinker with a collaborative mind-set and a risk-based approach, including the ability to reach sound and timely judgements which can be justified in a concise and effective manner
- An ability to produce consistently high-quality outputs to tight deadlines
- Effective communications skills with experience in stakeholder management and persuasion
Benefits:
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- 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)
- 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
- A flexible benefits scheme designed around your lifestyle
Our Values & 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 Timeline
Job advert close: w/c Sunday 7th June at 23:59pm
CV Review/Shortlist: Tuesday 9th June
Interview: w/c 15th June
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 Consumer Finance Policy Advisor in London employer: Financial Conduct Authority
The FCA is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Edinburgh and Leeds where you can make a meaningful impact on consumer finance policy. With a strong commitment to employee growth, a diverse and inclusive culture, and generous benefits including a non-contributory pension and 35 hours of paid volunteering annually, the FCA empowers its employees to thrive both personally and professionally while contributing to the integrity of the UK financial services sector.
Contact Details:
Financial Conduct Authority Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Consumer Finance Policy Advisor 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 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 Consumer Finance Policy landscape. We should be ready to discuss recent developments and how they impact consumers. This will show we’re not just interested in the job, but also in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice our communication skills! Since this role involves presenting to the FCA Board, let’s rehearse explaining complex issues clearly and concisely. Mock interviews with friends can help us nail this.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through the FCA's online portal! It’s the only way to get our application seen. Let’s make sure we follow all the guidelines and submit before the deadline.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Consumer Finance Policy Advisor in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in consumer finance and policy. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects you've worked on!
Be Clear and Concise:When drafting your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language to explain complex issues, as this reflects the communication skills we value. Remember, we’re looking for high-quality outputs, so make every word count!
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for consumer finance shine through! We love candidates who are genuinely interested in making a difference in the industry, especially for vulnerable consumers. Share why you’re excited about this role and how you can contribute.
Follow the Application Process:Don’t forget to submit your application through our online portal. Applications sent via email or social media won’t be accepted, so make sure you follow the guidelines. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Financial Conduct Authority
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the Consumer Finance market and the key issues facing it. Familiarise yourself with recent developments, especially around the Consumer Credit Act and the Credit Information Market Study. This will help you speak confidently about relevant topics during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples where you've assessed data and identified key themes. Think of situations where your analytical capabilities led to effective policy solutions. Being able to articulate these experiences will demonstrate your fit for the role.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining complex policy issues in simple terms. You might be asked to present recommendations or draft briefings, so being able to communicate effectively with both internal and external stakeholders is crucial. Consider doing mock interviews to refine this skill.
✨Collaborative Mindset
Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and external stakeholders. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully led projects or worked within a team to achieve common goals. This will show that you can thrive in the FCA's team-oriented environment.
