Head of Department – Appointed Representatives

About the FCA

At the FCA were creating a fair and more resilient financial system. Were establishing more transparent relationships between financial services and customers building trust in financial markets and protecting vulnerable consumers.

Were currently on an exciting journey as we drive forward significant organisational people process and technology transformation to become a more forward-thinking proactive regulator. We will use data more effectively to drive better regulatory decisions and build greater cohesion across our broad financial services remit.

Significant improvements in digital enablement business intelligence market data and information management maturity are all being pursued to maintain our position as a world leader in financial services regulation.

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity for a Head of Department to lead the Appointed Representatives (AR) Department in Supervision Policy & Competition (SPC) division and the wider FCA approach to the regulation of ARs.

The department is based in the Insurance Directorate and the successful candidate will report to the Director of Insurance.

This is a Head of Department role that is both high profile and diverse. You will be responsible for implementing and shaping the FCAs strategy for Principals and ARs working closely with other supervision sector HoDs Authorisations Policy Enforcement and other key internal stakeholders. The department comprises approximately 35 people split into three Case Teams a Strategy and Engagement Team and a Data Team undertaking a broad range of proactive and data-led supervision.

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

• Exposure to strategic issues and key players in the world of finance both nationally and internationally

Key responsibilities:

• Leading the FCA AR strategy including delivering intervention strategies to reduce the risk of harm to consumers markets and competition. The role is critical in ensuring a coordinated approach with sector supervision areas Policy Authorisation and Enforcement to ensure a holistic and joined up approach to tackling the harms stemming from the AR regime.

• Decision maker on complex/large impact risks/issues that give rise to the use of FCA regulatory powers using an appropriate degree of judgment/prioritisation and risk management to maximise overall effectiveness.

• Effective use of data to prioritise and target resources where most impactful.

• Engaging with the senior management of firms and influencing them to deliver better customer outcomes including discussions regarding the culture business model governance and systems and controls within their firms.

• Building and maintaining good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders in particular Authorisations and sector

• Supervision teams.

• Briefing FCA senior management on key issues involving the firms both through upward escalation and through formal project governance.

• Leading on performance capability and culture within the department with a strong focus on operational excellence

• Delivering through others by relying on coaching influencing and negotiating skills with a range of internal and external stakeholders

• Building a strong and inclusive directorate that attracts and develop diverse talent

Skills/Experience Required

The FCA are a signatory to the Governments Disability Confident scheme. This means that we will offer an interview to disabled candidates entering under the scheme should they meet the minimum criteria for a role. A minimum criterion needs to be measurable from reviewing a candidates CV. For example Experience of employment law is measurable from looking at someones CV but Knowledge of HR practices is not.

Minimum

• Significant experience of managing and influencing key stakeholders including senior decision makers internally and externally

• A broad understanding of the Appointed Representative Regime and within it the business models key products and roles played by various institutions.

• Strong communication skills both written and oral (ability to convey complex issues in a coherent and compelling way).

• Experience in leading highly motivated and productive teams with experience of leading others through change.

Essential

• Experience of role modelling strong leadership behaviours in line with organisational values

• The ability to inclusively lead a group of talented individuals with a wide variety of professional expertise experience and backgrounds

• An open and flexible management style and the ability to communicate effectively to a wide-ranging audience with different skills and perspectives

• Strategic thinker with an ability to see the big picture aligning the departments contribution to FCA priorities.

• High standard of problem solving with sound judgement. Comfortable dealing with uncertainty and an ability to make decisions at pace.

• Ability to prioritise and escalate where necessary.

• Excellent interpersonal skills with a clear capacity to influence senior executive management.

• Effective utilisation of the departments budget with efficient and risk-focused resource allocation. An ability to identify and develop talent across the function.

• Understanding of conduct risk and consumer behaviour and the drivers of poor consumer outcomes.

Desirable

• An understanding of the breadth of Principals and ARs business models and of the operation across different sectors and markets whether as a supervisor or an industry practitioner.

• Data skills

The FCAs Values & Diversity

Our ambition is to create a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the society we serve helping us to be a better regulator. We serve the public and our decisions directly affect the wellbeing of people businesses and the UK economy. So our values represent the culture we aspire to every day guiding our judgements building trust and helping us to be At our best.

The FCA is committed to achieving greater diversity across all levels of our organisation. Given this we particularly welcome applications from women disabled and minority ethnic candidates as under-represented groups.

As an inclusive employer we are open to considering flexible working arrangements including job shares. Please inform your recruiter if you wish to apply for this role on a flexible basis.

As part of the FCAs on-going commitment to develop our national presence most of our vacancies are now open to working in our Edinburgh Leeds or London offices. This means that as part of the application process you will be able to select your preference of which office location you would like to work from.

Application Support

We want to remove any possible barriers and are committed to providing a wide range of reasonable adjustments so that you can keep the focus on your conversations and be at your best.

If you have an accessibility requirement disability or condition that means you might require changes to the recruitment process please contact your recruiter to discuss this further. Our aim is to make you application as easy as possible and your recruiter will be happy to work with you to make any necessary arrangements where possible.

Benefit

Our competitive benefits scheme gives you the opportunity to create a personalised benefits package tailored to suit your lifecycle. You can this this allowance to purchase additional benefits such as dental or cycle to work or you have the option to top up your base salary by taking this as cash.

Core benefits that you will receive as standard are:

• 30 days holiday per year plus bank holidays

• Private healthcare with Bupa

• A non-contributory Pension of at least 8% of basic salary each month (there are several contribution levels that increase depending on your age- up to 12% a month once you reach age 35)

• Life assurance of eight times your basic salary

• Income protection

Conflicts of interest

All applicants to the FCA are required to demonstrate that they do not have other interests likely to conflict with their responsibilities as an employee of the FCA. You should declare any potential conflict of interest as early as possible in the selection process and also disclose information or personal connections that if appointed might be open to misperception.

Any potential conflicts of interest will not prevent candidates going forward to interview but may if appropriate be explored during the interview to establish how the candidate would address the issue(s) should they be successful in their application.

Useful information

• The closing date for this role is 23:55 on Friday 20 June

• Selection will be via a two-stage interview and psychometric assessment

• This role can be based in either London Leeds or Edinburgh.

• If successful you will be required to obtain and retain SC Clearance.

• We operate a hybrid working policy with an expectation that senior leaders spend a minimum of 50% of their working time each month in the office.

• The salary range for the role is London 00 National 118000- 158000

• To apply please submit your CV and cover letter.

For further information about the role please contact