Head of Department (Risk Advisory) in Leeds

We’re looking for a talented and influential Head of Department to join us on a permanent basis. Reporting to the Director of Risk and Compliance Oversight, you will be accountable for providing high-quality, trusted risk advice and oversight across the FCA. This will be accomplished through the leadership of a team of risk experts specialising in risks of harm as well as operational, execution, and public confidence risks. The team’s remit includes offering authoritative guidance, challenge and oversight of risk management across the FCA.

Cultivating strong partnerships with the first line of defence is key to ensuring risks are appropriately managed and the trade-off between risk and opportunity is carefully considered in decision making, in line with organisational risk appetite. Key deliverables include the development, implementation and maintenance of risk appetite statements, continual scrutiny of the risk and control environment, and support for comprehensive risk assessment activities across major change programmes and business-as-usual operations.

The team will regularly provide clear, evidence-based opinions to senior management, the Executive Committee, and the Board Risk Committee, evaluating the effectiveness of risk management and balance between risk and opportunity, and recommending targeted improvements where necessary.

What will the candidate get from the role?

• Joining the Senior Leadership Team at the FCA during an exciting and challenging time of great change in financial services and its regulation.
• Leading a department of talented and committed people through significant projects whilst also delivering on business-as-usual objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a senior leadership team member of R&CO, with collective responsibility for formulating and delivering R&CO’s annual business plan and operating the Risk Advisory Department in a way that is commensurate with the R&CO Vision.
• Deliver insightful, impactful risk advisory services into 1LOD that challenge thinking and enrich 1LOD consideration of risk, enabling 1LOD to make informed, risk-conscious decisions that balance risk and opportunity in line with organisational risk appetite.
• Ensure that risk activities for the Risk Advisory team are strategically aligned with the FCA’s overarching objectives and business plan, with a focus on continuous improvement to achieve an optimal, effective risk and control environment.
• Provide expert advice and guidance on risk and the organisational approach to risk management, providing feedback and support on how this is reflected in the risk management system, ensuring consistent organisation-wide understanding and adoption.
• Identify, develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across 1LOD, enabling robust, constructive risk discussions that ensure good understanding of key risks being faced and identification of emerging risks.
• Deliver meaningful, evidence-based insights, which add tangible value to stakeholders and enable the balanced management of risk and opportunity to optimise the success of the organisation.
• Produce practical, usable opinions and reporting on key risks to senior management, the Executive Committee and Board Risk Committee, which demonstrate a clear understanding of business strategies and risks, and constructive challenge of risk management measures.
• Champion transparency in all risk reporting and communications, ensuring clarity and accountability, overseeing the quality and accuracy of divisional risk and control profiles on CoreStream, the organisation’s Risk Management System.
• Work collaboratively with the Enterprise Risk Framework Team to support the refinement and maintenance of the risk framework, policies, and standards, ensuring these are practical, value-enhancing, and embedded across the FCA.
• Chair the R&CO Strategic Risk Forum, on behalf of the Director, ensuring agendas meet terms of reference requirements, focus on the key risks facing the organisation and deliver meaningful insight and outputs.
• Deliver designated projects such as refining the FCA’s risk appetite, conducting in-depth analysis of thematic risks, and driving initiatives to optimise the risk and control environment.
• Recruit, develop, and manage staff in accordance with the FCA capability framework, fostering a high-performing, professional, and engaged team culture.
• Act as an exemplar of the FCA’s core values, nurturing a culture of openness, integrity, and continuous professional development where all colleagues are empowered to achieve their potential.

Location: London, Edinburgh, Leeds

Contract type: Full time, Permanent

Profession: Compliance, Risk

Working pattern: Flexible working, Hybrid

Closing Date: 12/05/2026