Commercial Lawyer

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. This is an exciting time to join the FCA as we transform to become a smarter regulator, being more innovative, data-led and outcomes-focused. The Operations Legal team provides legal advice to colleagues across the FCA on a range of operational matters, focusing on commercial, data protection and procurement law. This role would suit someone at an early stage of their legal career and is an excellent opportunity to join a supportive and collaborative team where learning and development are actively encouraged. Working alongside experienced specialist lawyers, you will receive close supervision, mentoring and guidance to help you develop your technical expertise and professional skills. The role offers substantial opportunities to gain experience, take on increasing responsibility and progress your career in a supportive environment.

Role responsibilities

• Provide practical legal advice on a broad range of commercial, procurement, data protection and operational matters
• Draft, review and negotiate commercial contracts, licences, NDAs, secondment agreements and other business arrangements
• Advise on supplier and procurement issues, including contract changes, extensions and strategic commercial relationships
• Support legal matters relating to the FCA Handbook, digital services, websites and business continuity arrangements
• Advise on data protection, confidentiality, information sharing and information governance issues
• Develop and maintain legal templates, playbooks, guidance and training materials to support the wider business
• Build effective relationships with stakeholders across the FCA and external advisers, providing clear and solution-focused advice
• Identify legal and regulatory risks and work with specialist teams to ensure appropriate management and escalation where required
• Support estates projects, academic collaborations and other corporate initiatives across the organisation

Skills required

• Minimum: Qualified Lawyer (Solicitor, barrister, Chartered Legal Executive, or equivalent legal professional) typically from newly qualified (NQ) up to 3 years’ PQE
• Experience as a practising lawyer, in the public sector, private practice or in house legal team
• Relevant experience in general commercial law / commercial contracts. Experience also in public procurement, data protection and/or technology-related legal issues would be beneficial
• Essential: Effective communication and analytical skills, with the ability to present complex issues in a clear, concise and effective manner
• Essential: Ability to learn new or novel legal concepts rapidly, demonstrating self-motivation while working under the guidance and support of senior colleagues
• Essential: Practical problem-solving skills, with the ability to deliver pragmatic, outcome-focused advice and communicate intricate legal issues clearly to non-legal stakeholders
• Essential: Effective organisational skills, with demonstrable experience managing competing priorities and delivering high-quality work to strict deadlines
• Essential: Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to build, sustain and leverage positive professional relationships across the organisation
• Essential: Commitment to continuous improvement, including developing legal know-how, guidance, templates and training to support wider organisational capability

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• 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
• Colleagues spend a minimum of 50% of their working time in the office each month (60% for Directors and Executive Directors) across our London, Leeds and Edinburgh offices
• A flexible benefits scheme designed around your lifestyle

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.

Timeline: Job advert closes: Midnight, 9 September 2026 CV Review/Shortlist: 11 September 2026 Interviews are likely to be held in person from W/C 21 September.