Consumer Finance Sector Team Specialist

Division – Consumer Finance

Department – Market Analysis & Policy

Salary - National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £67,100 to £83,800 and London £73,700 to £92,100 per annum (Salary offered will be based on skills and experience)

About the FCA   

The FCA regulates the conduct of 45,000 firms in the UK to ensure our financial markets are honest, fair and competitive. Follow this link to find out more About the FCA.  Over 30,000 of these firms are supervised within the Consumer Finance Directorate.

The Consumer Finance Sector Team supports supervisors who carry out firm work and thematic work by identifying and analysing the key risks affecting markets, firms and their consumers. We do this by gathering and analysing market intelligence about the Consumer Finance sector and by interacting externally with trade associations, consumer organisations, other regulators, government departments and other market participants. 

What you will be doing?

The key responsibilities of the post holder will be to:

• Constantly and proactively synthesise a wide range of information on the consumer finance market to deliver high quality market intelligence and identify and prioritise sector risks of harm

• Act as an ambassador for the FCA on the consumer finance market, both internally and externally, providing expertise, insight and thought leadership on sector-wide issues and developments

• Contribute to wider strategic thinking about the market as a whole

• Support the production of risk reports for senior management

• Promote education and understanding of the consumer finance market amongst supervisors and other internal stakeholders

• Build and maintain strong and effective relationships with a network of stakeholders within the sector, in particular trade bodies, industry professionals and other regulatory bodies

What will you get from the role?

You will benefit from the opportunity to:

• Gain a wide overview of the markets we regulate: this role will give you unparalleled insight into the market and firms' business models and strategies

• Apply your analytical skills and commercial awareness in new ways, adapting to the barriers of reviewing whole markets, individual firms, and consumer behaviour to identify and assess risks to the FCA’s goals

• Take on a challenging and varied workload, deepening your understanding of the regulatory model, and responding to the latest market trends and industry issues.

• Collaborate with a wide range of regulatory specialists, external trade bodies, and regulated firms

• Have the satisfaction that you have made a positive difference to consumers

Which skills are required?

We are a Disability Confident Employer; therefore, disabled people or individuals with long-term conditions who best meet the minimum criteria for a role will go through to the next stage of the recruitment process. (To learn more about the Disability Confident Scheme Click Here).

Minimum 

• Proven experience of working within the consumer finance market

• Proven experience of advising on and applying the consumer finance regulatory framework

Essential

• Experience of scoping and managing projects requiring technical expertise to deliver strategy, framework, risk appetite and controls

• Good understanding of the wider business, economic and market environment

• An independent thinker with an analytical mind-set and a risk-based approach to decision making, including the ability to reach sound and timely judgements which can be justified in a concise and effective manner

• Strong and proven track record in stakeholder management and influencing skills

• Good written and oral communication skills, including the ability to distil complex issues into succinct messages, present to a variety of internal and external stakeholders & act as a credible representative for the FCA externally 

• An understanding of the wider impact of regulation on consumers and businesses, and the ability to look at issues from the perspective of the consumer

• Deep knowledge of consumer finance markets (e.g. consumer credit, debt advice)

Our Values & Diversity

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and our ambition is to cultivate a culture for all employees that respects their individual strengths, views, and experiences. 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.

Within the workplace you will have access to various employee resource groups which aim to promote and achieve a healthy work / life balance and support our diversity ambitions.

Did you know? 50% of our Executive Committee were the first in their family to attend university.

The FCA is committed to achieving greater diversity across all levels of the organisation. Given this, we particularly welcome applications from women, minority ethnic, disabled, and neurodivergent candidates for our technical specialist role.

Benefits of working at the FCA

• 28 days holiday per year plus bank holidays

• Hybrid working (work from home up to 60% of your time)

• Private healthcare with Bupa 

• A non-contributory Pension of at least 8%

• Life assurance

• Income protection

We also have a competitive flexible benefits scheme which gives you the opportunity to create a personalised benefits package, tailored to suit your lifestyle.

We welcome applications from candidates who are looking for flexible arrangements.  Many of our staff work flexibly including working part-time, staggered hours, and job shares.  We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want but we can explore what might work best for both sides.

Follow this link to see what life is like at the FCA - Life at the FCA

Application Support

We are dedicated to removing barriers and ensuring our application process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition requiring changes to the recruitment process, please contact your recruiter using the details below and they will be happy to discuss this further with you.

Useful Information and Timeline

• This role is graded as: Technical Specialist - Regulatory

• Advert closing date: 23rd February 

• Case study & competency-based interview: 6th-11th March

Your Recruiter will discuss the process in detail with you during screening for the role, therefore, please make them aware if you are going to be unavailable for any date during this time. 

Got a question?

If you are interested in learning more about the role, please contact: 

• For external applicants, please contact Aaron Ward at [email protected]

• For internal applicants, please contact Louise Nash at [email protected] 

Applications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via email will not be accepted.