Technical Specialist – Mutuals Team

Division: Authorisations

Department: Approved Person & Mutuals

Salary: National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £72,100 to £97,800 and London from £79,300 to £105,000 (salary offered will be based on skills and experience)

This role is graded as: Technical Specialist - 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. The Authorisations Division serves as the initial point of contact for firms and individuals seeking to provide regulated financial services in the UK, making authorisation decisions to ensure applicants meet the FCA’s standards. The Mutuals Team delivers the FCA’s registering authority function and leads the cross‑FCA industry‑facing work of the Mutual Societies Development Unit.

Role Responsibilities

• You will be responsible for providing advice across the FCA and sector more widely on issues relating to mutual societies
• Leading on engagement with external stakeholders and representing the FCA at wider sector forums including with government and other regulatory bodies
• Leading the work of the Mutual Societies Development Unit
• Maintaining and periodically reviewing FCA policy and guidance on mutuals societies
• Undertaking horizon scanning to identify emerging trends and risks in the sector
• Applying knowledge of law and policy in providing input to the Team’s complex and challenging caseload of applications and use of powers
• Supporting the implementation of operational and legislative change within the mutuals team
• Writing briefings for senior colleagues, such as for their attendance at Parliamentary committees
• Proactive involvement in a variety of activities and initiatives across the organisation

Skills Required

Minimum:

• Prior Experience of working in the mutuals or co‑operatives sector
• Demonstrable experience of working within a policy and legislative framework

Essential:

• Excellent relationship management skills to enable credible engagement, influence and challenge with senior internal and external stakeholders
• Excellent written skills, with experience drafting external communications and briefings for senior colleagues
• Knowledge of, and an interest in, the mutual societies sectors
• Experience understanding and applying legislation and policy in decision‑making
• The ability to make appropriate risk‑based decisions based on the information available and analysis undertaken
• Experience of coaching and mentoring team members
• A 'can‑do' attitude with a proven track record of being able to work under pressure
• Producing high‑quality work to tight deadlines
• Self‑sufficient and able to prioritise competing demands

Benefits

• 28 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

• Advert Closing: Sunday 29th March (midnight)
• CV Review/Shortlist: Tuesday 31st March
• 1st Interview: w/c 6th April
• 2nd Interview: Mid‑April

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.