Future Payment Systems & Infrastructure Lead

Department: Payment Systems Market Interventions.

Salary range: National (Edinburgh and Leeds) £60,700–£70,000; London £66,600–£80,000.

Role graded as Lead Associate – Regulatory.

Role responsibilities

• Act as lead across the Future Payment Systems & Infrastructure team’s work, supporting prioritisation and progression of workstreams.
• Manage and lead complex stakeholder relationships, including with other authorities and select payment system participants.
• Support the Manager of Future Payment Systems & Infrastructure with development and delivery of the strategy for the team’s work.
• Champion innovation and continuous improvement in practice, including development of tools, approaches and ways of working.
• Provide coaching, guidance and informal mentoring to colleagues across the team, supporting development, consistency and collaboration.
• Build and maintain a deep understanding of emerging firms, the environments they operate in and the strategic and operational risks they pose.
• Support senior colleagues in the transition of payment systems onboarding into the FCA’s framework, including new ways of working, governance and engagement models.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, inclusion and learning within and across the team, acting as a role model for PSR values and behaviours.

Minimum requirements

• Demonstrated experience in supervision, monitoring or regulatory relationship management roles within a regulator or regulated environment.
• Experience of operating with significant internal and external influence, including engagement with senior stakeholders.
• Ability to analyse complex information, identify key issues and produce clear, well‑reasoned written outputs, including contribution to strategic assessments.

Essential skills

• Deep knowledge of payment systems, including how they operate, are supervised and support effective, proportionate regulation.
• Experience of leading or coordinating complex regulatory, supervisory or project‑based work, including delivering outcomes through periods of change or organisational transition.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively, both verbally and in writing, on complex issues.
• Well‑developed judgement, decision‑making and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to operate effectively on sensitive or high‑profile issues.
• Well‑developed organisational and planning skills, with the ability to balance strategic priorities with day‑to‑day delivery.
• Knowledge of economic regulation, competition policy, payments public policy, or another regulated industry.
• Line management experience is desirable.

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.
• Hybrid model with a minimum of 40% office each month (expectation 50% for senior leaders, 60% for Directors and Executive Directors).
• Flexible benefits scheme designed around your lifestyle.
• We are a Disability Confident Employer and our hiring approach is inclusive. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture, celebrating difference and supporting colleagues to deliver at their best.