Financial Analysis Technical Specialist - Payment Systems Supervision in London

Department: PSR – Payment Systems Market Interventions (PSMI)

Salary: National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £74,900 to £90,000 and London from £82,300 to £100,000 (salary offered will be based on skills and experience).

About the PSR and team: Every time anyone uses a cash machine, transfers money, uses contactless, or gets paid, they use a payment system. Payment systems are always evolving and the PSR is here to make sure they work well for everyone. The PSR is an independent economic regulator led by interim Managing Director, David Geale – who is also FCA Executive Director, Payments and Digital Finance. Operationally the PSR is currently an independent subsidiary of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), however in March 2025 the Prime Minister announced that the PSR would be consolidated into the FCA, a pragmatic next step in simplifying regulation of payments. This transition will likely take some time and will follow a Government consultation, although the Government has already been clear that payment systems must continue to be effectively regulated. For the time being, therefore, the PSR continues to focus on delivering its important and impactful programme of work, collaborating closely with the FCA. The Payment Systems Market Interventions Division (PSMI) you are applying to join will ultimately move into the FCA when the new legislation takes effect. Candidates should be aware, therefore, that there may be changes to their responsibilities as consolidation into the FCA progresses. The PSMI Division ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and promotes better outcomes for payment system users by addressing poor practice and emerging risks.

Role responsibilities:

• Providing financial and analytical insight to support supervision of payment system operators and participants, including assessment of business models, cost structures, revenues, investment incentives and financial sustainability.
• Analysing firm‐level and system‐level financial information to support supervisory casework, thematic reviews and risk assessments.
• Supporting supervisors to understand how firms' financial positions, strategies and incentives may impact competition, innovation, resilience and consumer outcomes.
• Contributing specialist input to supervisory engagement with firms, including preparation for meetings, review of submissions and challenge of firms' financial analysis.
• Helping to develop and improve the Supervision team's analytical tools, frameworks and approaches, including use of financial data and management information.
• Supporting the Manager of Supervision with development and delivery of the overall supervision strategy, including identification of emerging risks and areas of focus.
• Playing a leadership role within the Supervision team and wider department, providing coaching, guidance and informal mentoring to colleagues, supporting development, consistency and collaboration.
• Acting as a role model for PSR values and behaviours.

Skills and experience:

• Minimum: Demonstrable experience in financial analysis, financial modelling or assessment of firm economics, gained in a regulator, consultancy, financial services firm, or similar environment.
• Experience of analysing complex financial information and translating it into clear, well‐reasoned insights for non‐specialist audiences.
• Essential: A solid understanding of how firms operate from a financial and economic perspective.
• Ability to apply financial analysis in a supervisory context, supporting proportionate and evidence‐based decision‐making.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial concepts clearly and persuasively.
• Sound judgement and attention to detail when working with sensitive or high‐profile information.
• Ability to work collaboratively across disciplines, including with supervisors, economists and lawyers.
• Good organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high‐quality analysis to deadlines.

Benefits:

• 28 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 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).
• A flexible benefits scheme designed around your lifestyle.

Equal Opportunities Statement: 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. 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.