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- Tasks: Provide legal advice on data protection and engage with colleagues across the FCA.
- Company: Join the FCA, a key regulator ensuring fair financial markets in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, hybrid working, private healthcare, and a flexible benefits scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a diverse, innovative environment focused on consumer protection.
- Qualifications: Qualified Lawyer with at least 3 years' experience and strong knowledge of data protection legislation.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements available; we support diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
The predicted salary is between 60900 - 76000 £ per year.
Job Description
Department: Law, Policy & International (LPI)
- Salary: National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £60,900 – £76,000 and London £66,900 – £83,500 (salary offered will be based on skills and experience)
- This role is graded as: Senior Associate, Practising Legal
- Your recruitment contact is Raimonda via Raimonda.stankute@fca.org.uk Applications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via social media or email will not be accepted.
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 Legal Division provides advice and legal services across the full spectrum of FCA activities, whether regulatory, policy, enforcement or operational. Sitting in Enforcement Legal, the teams within LPI ensure that our policies and rules can be effectively enforced and that we have the appropriate investigation and enforcement powers and policies to achieve fair and just outcomes in response to misconduct.
Role Responsibilities
- Contribute to the development and implementation of the FCA’s enforcement policies(e.g. Enforcement Guide, Decision Procedure and Penalties Manual) and use this framework to guide actions across authorisations, supervision and interventions
- Provide legal and policy advice on enforcement and the exercise of the FCA’s powers, collaborating across Legal Division and other FCA teams
- Support Technical Specialists/Lead Associates in delivering team projects through proactive project management, coordinating multiple stakeholders and guiding junior Associates, trainees, or paralegals
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including senior colleagues and external bodies
- Prepare and present updates on projects, legal, or policy issues to EMO Directors and other internal committees (e.g., ExCo, ERPC)
Minimum
Skills required
- Applicants must be a qualified lawyer, eligible to practise in the UK
- Post qualification experience in one or more of the following areas: financial services regulation, investigations, complex litigation, fraud, public law or policy-making
Essential
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to quickly assess information and identify key issues
- Advanced legal expertise, capable of conducting complex legal research and providing practical, imaginative and legally sound solutions in novel situations
- Excellent communication skills, able to convey complex legal and policy matters clearly and concisely to a variety of audiences, including senior stakeholders
- Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with peers, management, internal teams and external agencies at a senior level
- Self-motivated, able to manage deadlines under pressure
Benefits
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Hybrid model with up to 60% remote work
- 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
For a full list of our benefits and our recruitment process as a whole visit our benefits page.
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
Timeline
- Advert Closing Date: 28th December 2025
- CV Review/Shortlist: 30th December 2025
- First Interview: w/c 5th January 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
- Candidates from this recruitment round may also be considered for future vacancies in the Legal Division
Senior Lawyer employer: Financial Conduct Authority
Contact Detail:
Financial Conduct Authority Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Lawyer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the FCA's current policies and recent changes in data protection legislation. This will not only help you understand the context of the role but also allow you to engage in informed discussions during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of the FCA, especially those in the Legal Division. They can provide valuable insights into the organisational culture and expectations, which can be beneficial for your application and interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your experience that demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to deliver pragmatic legal advice. Tailoring your examples to align with the FCA's focus on data protection will make a strong impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to build relationships by preparing to discuss how you've successfully collaborated with colleagues or stakeholders in previous roles. The FCA values communication and relationship-building, so highlighting these skills will be crucial.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Lawyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your qualifications as a lawyer, particularly your PQE and experience in data protection legislation. Use specific examples that demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to deliver clear legal advice.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the FCA's mission. Discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in providing legal advice on privacy and data matters. Be sure to mention your ability to build relationships across teams.
Showcase Relevant Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on roles where you have directly advised on data protection issues or worked within the public sector. Highlight any high-profile projects you've contributed to, showcasing your ability to handle sensitive legal matters.
Demonstrate Cultural Fit: The FCA values diversity and inclusion, so reflect this in your application. Mention any experiences that demonstrate your commitment to these values and your ability to work in a supportive environment. This will show that you align with their organisational culture.
How to prepare for a job interview at Financial Conduct Authority
✨Know Your Data Protection Legislation
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of data protection laws, especially the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018. Be prepared to discuss how these laws apply to the FCA's operations and how you can contribute to their compliance.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Skills
The role requires strong analytical skills, so be ready to showcase your ability to analyse complex legal issues. Prepare examples from your past experience where you successfully navigated challenging legal scenarios and delivered clear, pragmatic advice.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Engaging with colleagues and building trusted relationships is key in this role. During the interview, focus on establishing a connection with your interviewers by being personable and showing genuine interest in their work and the FCA's mission.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and judgement. Think of specific situations where you had to deliver sound legal advice under pressure, and be ready to explain your thought process and the outcomes of your decisions.
