At a Glance
- Tasks: Investigate banking complaints and manage your own caseload with support.
- Company: Join the Financial Ombudsman Service, a vital not-for-profit in UK financial services.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing valuable skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in banking products and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with one day in the office; training provided in London.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 35000 £ per year.
Looking for a new challenge? Take a look at our current vacancies. If you see a vacancy that is right for you, we encourage you to apply!
Make a positive difference to financial services.
Contract: up to 4 years fixed-term contract
Working hours: full time (35 hours pw) and part time (28 hours pw)
Salary: £32,175pa (full time), £25,740pa (part time)
Reporting to: Ombudsman Manager
Start date: 15th September 2025
Our current hybrid policy requires one day per week in the office.
As part of your induction, you’ll need to spend your first week in our London office. We will cover your expenses for your time in London.
About us:
The Financial Ombudsman Service is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that plays a vital role in UK financial services. Every day we help resolve disputes between consumers, or small businesses, and their financial service providers. The complaints we deal with vary. A customer might be having trouble with their bank account, struggling with payday loans, think an insurance pay out isn’t fair, or be worried about their mortgage. If we believe a customer hasn’t been treated fairly, we’ll ask the business to put things right. If we think the business isn’t at fault, we’ll explain why. The decisions we make have a huge impact: they can be life-changing for individuals, and they provide insights which are useful for financial businesses. By joining us as an Investigator, you’ll play a key role in Banking products. Each case and each customer are different. No two days are ever the same and sometimes the work is demanding, but it’s a job that makes a real difference and you’ll be rewarded with generous benefits as well as job satisfaction.
Key responsibilities:
- Investigating complaints about Banking 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
Person specification:
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 Banking 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 Banking
- Experience in decision making or investigative roles for example, legal, paralegal, casework or claims
Why the Financial Ombudsman Service?
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 Program offering professional support with legal, health and money issues
- Opportunities for personal and career development
How to apply:
Go to the website and upload your CV, which should highlight relevant skills and experience and explain any gaps in your working life. Use the supporting statement box to demonstrate how you meet the minimum criteria. If you get through the initial screening round successfully, we’ll invite you to an online assessment. Please bear in mind that we may close the application window for this role earlier than the date specified if there’s a large number of applications.
Authenticity of applications:
We value authentic, personal applications. If we determine that your CV or supporting statement was generated using AI tools, your application may be withdrawn from consideration.
Proud to be an inclusive employer:
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’re proud to be a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader. This means that we will put disabled candidates through to the next stage of the recruitment process as long as they meet the minimum criteria for a role. (Exceptions may apply if we have so many applications, we can’t interview all the candidates who qualify under the scheme.)
Investigator - Banking employer: Financial Ombudsman Service
Contact Detail:
Financial Ombudsman Service Recruiting Team
Recruitment@financial-ombudsman.org.uk
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Investigator - Banking
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities of the Investigator role. Understanding how to manage a caseload and communicate effectively with both consumers and financial businesses will help you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Join our 'Becoming an Investigator' Recruitment Network. This will not only keep you updated on upcoming opportunities but also provide insights into the role and the organisation, which can be invaluable during your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills in any discussions or interviews. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experiences where you successfully resolved conflicts or made fair decisions, as this is crucial for the Investigator position.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the Financial Ombudsman Service's values and mission. Being able to articulate how your personal values align with ours can make a strong impression and demonstrate your commitment to making a positive difference in financial services.
We think you need these skills to ace Investigator - Banking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant skills and experiences that align with the Investigator role in Banking. Focus on your analytical abilities, customer service experience, and any background in financial products.
Craft a Strong Supporting Statement: Use the supporting statement box to clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the job description. Provide specific examples of your experience in decision-making and problem-solving within a banking context.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is key for this role, ensure your application reflects your ability to articulate thoughts clearly. Use concise language and structure your responses logically to showcase your written English skills.
Be Authentic: Your application should reflect your genuine self. Avoid using AI tools to generate your CV or supporting statement, as authenticity is valued. Personal touches can make your application stand out.
How to prepare for a job interview at Financial Ombudsman Service
✨Understand the Role
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of an Investigator in Banking. Familiarise yourself with the types of complaints you might handle and the importance of fair decision-making in financial services.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since excellent communication is key for this role, prepare to demonstrate your ability to listen actively and explain complex issues clearly. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully communicated with upset customers or resolved conflicts.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to make balanced decisions. Practice articulating your thought process when faced with a complaint, ensuring you weigh all sides before reaching a conclusion.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous experience related to banking products or customer service. Use specific examples to illustrate how your background has prepared you for the challenges of this role, especially in managing relationships and resolving disputes.