Investigator

Investigator

Full-Time 24833 - 30351 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Investigate financial complaints and make fair decisions while managing your own caseload.
  • Company: Join the Financial Ombudsman Service, a diverse and inclusive organisation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous benefits, and opportunities for personal development.
  • Other info: Be part of a supportive team that values diversity and inclusion.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference by resolving financial disputes and helping customers.
  • Qualifications: Experience in customer service or investigative roles, with strong communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 24833 - 30351 £ per year.

As an Investigator new to the role, you’ll spend up to six months in our academy getting the training you need to make fair and reasonable decisions with certainty. After that, you’ll work as part of a team, supported by an Ombudsman Manager, overseeing your own caseload and prioritising your work. You’ll be responsible for:

  • Investigating complaints about pensions, investments and insurance products
  • Managing your caseload effectively to reach targets
  • Managing relationships with our customers – both consumers and financial businesses
  • Examining evidence to get to the heart of each complaint
  • Weighing up all sides of a story and assessing the relevant rules and regulations to make fair and reasonable decisions
  • Communicating with empathy – listening carefully to both sides, asking the right questions and using sound judgement
  • Communicating your findings clearly, explaining what you think and why through a clear and structured written response

You’ll be a self-starter who can prioritise tasks and work well independently. You’ll have great people skills and an analytical, problem-solving mind. You may have experience in customer services, sales or retail, in a legal/paralegal role, or have worked in casework, claims or investigative work for another public agency.

Essential Criteria

  • Demonstrable experience working in pensions, investments and insurance related products
  • Expertise making fair and balanced decisions, where you must articulate your thinking clearly
  • Excellent communication skills, including a talent for listening and explaining things in clear language as well as good written English
  • Experience providing excellent customer service with people who may be angry or upset
  • Problem solving and finding constructive solutions
  • Strong administrative skills and the ability to prioritise your workload
  • History of working to meet targets or service level agreements

Desirable Criteria

  • Knowledge of financial products
  • Relevant qualifications within pensions, investments and insurance
  • Experience in decision making or investigative roles for example, legal, paralegal, casework or claims

We’re a UK-wide service, with strong values and a diverse workforce, where you can be your authentic self. We’re committed to being a great place to work and to recruiting people from all backgrounds. So, as well as a competitive salary, we offer a great package of benefits, including:

  • Core benefits including generous pension, life assurance, critical illness cover, income protection, personal accident cover, private medical insurance, virtual GP
  • Optional benefits including travel insurance, technology scheme, cycle to work scheme, dining and lifestyle memberships, dental cover
  • Holiday entitlement of 25 days, with the option to buy or sell extra days (full time equivalent)
  • Discounts on your everyday shopping, from groceries and petrol to household goods and gift vouchers
  • An Employee Assistance Programme offering professional support with legal, health and money issues
  • Opportunities for personal and career development

Reflecting the communities we serve helps us provide the best service to our customers. Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our success, so we welcome applications from women and other under-represented groups. As part of our commitment to the Race at Work Charter, we welcome applications from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority candidates. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and, under the scheme, will progress a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria to interview.

With fairness at the heart of everything we do, we embrace difference and treat everyone as equals. We’re a diverse organisation, but something we all share is our values. They’re central to the way we work – and work together. We’re an independent, not-for-profit organisation that sorts out disputes between financial businesses and their customers. We do this by making decisions that are fair – and feel fair to both sides. The Financial Ombudsman Service is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be treated in a fair and equal manner and in accordance with the law, regardless of gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation. We’re committed to being a great place to work – attracting and developing people from the widest possible range of backgrounds. We want everyone to perform at their best and feel able to be themselves. We understand that if we’re diverse and inclusive, we’ll better understand different perspectives, which is fundamental to our job resolving financial complaints.

Investigator employer: Financial Ombudsman Service

The Financial Ombudsman Service is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture in Manchester, where you can make a meaningful impact on the lives of consumers facing financial disputes. With a strong commitment to employee development, generous benefits including a competitive salary, comprehensive health coverage, and opportunities for personal growth, you'll find a rewarding career path that values your contributions and promotes work-life balance through flexible working arrangements. Join us and be part of a diverse team dedicated to fairness and integrity in financial services.

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Contact Details:

Financial Ombudsman Service Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Investigator

✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks

The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!

✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences

Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Financial Ombudsman Service. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!

✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise

Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Financial Ombudsman Service.

✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites

Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Financial Ombudsman Service. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!

We think you need these skills to ace Investigator

Analytical Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Communication Skills
Customer Service Skills
Decision-Making Skills
Evidence Examination
Relationship Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.

Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Financial Ombudsman Service and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!

Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.

Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Financial Ombudsman Service how you can be a team player!

How to prepare for a job interview at Financial Ombudsman Service

✨Brush Up on Technical Skills

Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!

✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen

If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Financial Ombudsman Service.

✨Know Your Numbers

In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.

✨Connect with Company Goals

Familiarise yourself with Financial Ombudsman Service's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!