At a Glance
- Tasks: Supervise retail banking firms, ensuring fairness and consumer protection in financial services.
- Company: Join the FCA, a key regulator shaping UK finance for a fairer market.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, hybrid work, private healthcare, and a flexible benefits scheme.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on consumers and drive positive change in the banking sector.
- Qualifications: Experience in financial regulation and strong analytical skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 52400 - 68000 € per year.
Division: Supervision, Policy & Competition
Department: Market Interventions – Retail Banking
Salary: National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £52,400 to £61,800 and London from £57,700 to £68,000 (salary offered will be based on skills and experience)
This role is graded as: Senior Associate - Regulatory
We are recruiting for 2 Senior Associate positions within retail banking.
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 Retail Banking Directorate oversees supervision and policy for UK retail banking and mortgages, driving better outcomes for consumers including those with vulnerabilities - through firm-specific, sector-wide, and event-driven work, with a strong focus on fairness, affordability, and consumer protection.
Role responsibilities
- We are recruiting for 2 positions in the department; the first is in a team responsible for a portfolio of retail banking firms, while the second sits within a team responsible for supervising two large banks. Please indicate in your application whether you are willing to be considered for both vacancies, and whether you have a preference.
- Influence senior leaders by engaging with firm management on culture, governance, and systems, driving better customer outcomes and stronger organisational integrity.
- Assess business strategies by analysing firm models and identifying key risks, solving complex problems to protect consumers and markets.
- Shape regulatory approaches by contributing to supervisory strategies, ensuring effective interventions that reduce harm and maintain trust.
- Leverage data insights by spotting trends and anomalies, providing actionable intelligence that strengthens decision-making and industry oversight.
- Build collaborative networks by working with internal teams and external stakeholders, fostering alignment and shared success across the financial ecosystem.
- Champion continuous improvement by recommending process enhancements and supporting colleagues, helping the division stay agile and proactive in addressing sector-wide risks.
Skills Required Minimum
- Prior experience regulating or working with regulated financial services firms on one of the FCA retail banking priorities: consumer duty, financial crime, fraud, operational resilience.
- Proven experience in building and maintaining relationships with senior management and stakeholders internally and externally.
- Prior experience working in an analytical role to reach sound judgements quickly and clearly from a broad and varied range of information.
Essential
- The ability to act on your own initiative to make informed and timely decisions, cutting through complexity, identifying the key issues and escalating issues appropriately.
- Present yourself and the FCA in a professional and credible manner, with strong oral and presentation skills.
- Experience of successful teamwork, working with others to deliver outcomes and achieve tasks, proactively offer your support to colleagues.
- Proven ability to balance and manage competing priorities, with factors often outside of your control with minimal oversight.
- Willingness to learn and develop yourself and others, taking on new responsibilities and adopting a flexible and pragmatic approach to your work.
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.
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: Wednesday 21st January at 11:59pm.
- CV Review/Shortlist: 23rd January.
- Case Study Assessment: w/c 2nd February.
- Interview: w/c 9th February.
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 Retail Banking Firm Supervisor 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 the UK financial services landscape. With a strong commitment to employee development, a flexible hybrid working model, and a diverse, inclusive culture, we empower our staff to thrive while ensuring consumer protection and market integrity. Join us to be part of a team that values collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement, all while enjoying competitive benefits and a supportive workplace.
Contact Detail:
Financial Conduct Authority Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Retail Banking Firm Supervisor
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees of the FCA on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the company culture and what they really value in candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the FCA's recent initiatives. We want to show that we’re not just interested in the role, but also passionate about the mission of protecting consumers and driving economic growth.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice our storytelling skills! Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to frame our experiences. This will help us articulate how our past roles align with the responsibilities of a Senior Associate.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through the FCA’s online portal! It’s the only way to get our application seen. Plus, it shows we’re serious about the opportunity and ready to follow their process.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Retail Banking Firm Supervisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Senior Retail Banking Firm Supervisor. Highlight your relevant experience in regulating financial services and any specific achievements that align with the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Use it to showcase your understanding of the FCA's mission and how your skills can contribute to better outcomes for consumers.
Be Clear and Concise:When filling out your application, keep your language clear and concise. We want to see your qualifications and experiences without wading through unnecessary fluff. Stick to the point!
Apply Through Our Website:Remember, applications must be submitted through our online portal. Don’t send your application via email or social media, as we won’t be able to consider it. Head over to our website and get your application in!
How to prepare for a job interview at Financial Conduct Authority
✨Know Your Regulatory Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the FCA's priorities, especially around consumer duty and operational resilience. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just interested in the role but also understand the regulatory landscape.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare examples of how you've used data to make informed decisions in previous roles. The interviewers will want to see your ability to analyse complex information and reach sound judgements quickly, so have some solid examples ready.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Think about your past experiences working with senior management and stakeholders. Be ready to share how you’ve built and maintained those relationships, as this is crucial for the role. A good story can really help illustrate your point!
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Initiative
Be prepared to discuss times when you've had to adapt to changing circumstances or take the lead on a project. The FCA values proactive individuals who can manage competing priorities, so highlight your ability to stay agile and make timely decisions.