Head of Department, Risk Advisory

Head of Department Risk Advisory

About the FCA

At the FCAwerecreating a fair and more resilient financial system.Wereestablishingmore transparent relationships between financial services and customers building trust in financialmarketsand protecting vulnerable consumers.

Werecurrently 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 marketdataand information management maturity are all being pursued tomaintainour position as a world leader in financial services regulation.

In March 2025 the FCA launched a new 5-year strategy to deepen trust rebalance risk support growth and improve lives. The FCA will focus on four priorities:

• Be a smarter regulator; predictablepurposefuland proportionate. The FCA will improve its processes and embrace technology to become more efficient and effective.

• Support sustained economic growth by enabling investment innovation and ensuring the continued competitiveness of the UKs world-leading financial services.

• Help consumers navigate their financial lives by working with industry to boost trust product innovation and ensuring the right information and support is available for people to take financial decisions.

• Fight financial crime focusing on those whoseekto use the fact they are regulated to do harm. It will go further to disrupt criminals and support firms to be an effective line of defence.

The Role

Werelooking for a talented and influential Head of Departmentto join us on a permanent basis.Reporting to theDirector of RiskandComplianceOversightyou willbe accountable for providing high-quality trustedriskadvice and oversight acrossthe FCA. This will beaccomplishedthrough the leadership of a team ofriskexperts specialising in risks of harm as well as operational execution and public confidence risks.

The teams remit includes offering authoritative guidancechallengeandoversightofrisk managementacrossthe FCA.Cultivating strong partnerships with the first line of defenceis keyto ensuringrisks are appropriatelymanagedand the trade-off between risk and opportunity is carefully consideredin decision makingin line with organisational risk appetite.

Key deliverables include the development implementation and maintenanceof risk appetite statementscontinualscrutinyof 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 BoardRisk Committee evaluating the effectiveness of risk managementandbalance between risk and opportunityand 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 ofgreat changein 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 seniorleadershipteam memberof R&COwithcollectiveresponsibility forformulating anddeliveringR&COsannualbusiness planandoperatingthe Risk Advisory Department in a way that iscommensuratewith the R&CO Vision.

• Deliverinsightful impactful risk advisoryservices into 1LODthat challengethinking and enrich1LODconsideration of riskenabling1LODtomake informed risk-conscious decisionsthat balance risk and opportunity in line with organisational risk appetite.

• Ensure thatriskactivitiesfor the Risk Advisory teamare strategically aligned with the FCAs overarchingobjectivesand business plan with a focus on continuous improvementto achievean optimal effectiverisk and control environment.

• Provideexpert advice and guidance onrisk andthe organisational approach torisk managementproviding feedback and support on how this is reflected in the risk management systemensuringconsistentorganisation-wide understanding and adoption.

• Identifydevelopandmaintainstrong relationships with key stakeholders across 1LOD enabling robust constructive risk discussionsthatensure good understanding of key risks being facedandidentification ofemerging risks.

• Deliver meaningfulevidence-basedinsights which addtangiblevaluetostakeholdersandenable the balanced management of risk and opportunity tooptimise the success of the organisation.Producepractical usableopinionsand reportingonkey risks to senior management the Executive Committee and Board Risk Committee whichdemonstrateaclearunderstanding of business strategiesand risks and constructive challenge of riskmanagementmeasures.

• Champion transparency in all risk reporting and communications ensuring clarity and accountability overseeing the quality and accuracy of divisional risk and control profiles onCoreStream the organisations Risk Management System.

• Workcollaboratively with theEnterprise Risk FrameworkTeamtosupportthe refinement and maintenance of the risk framework policies and standards ensuring these are practical value-enhancing and embedded across the FCA.

• Chair theR&COStrategic Risk Forum on behalf of the Director ensuring agendas meet terms of referencerequirementsfocus on the key risksfacing the organisationand deliver meaningful insight and outputs.

• Deliver designated projects such as refining the FCAs risk appetite conducting in-depth analysis of thematic risks and driving initiatives tooptimisethe risk and control environment.

• Recruit develop and manage staffin accordance withthe FCA capability framework fostering a high-performing professional and engaged team culture.

• Act as an exemplar of the FCAs core values nurturing a culture of openness integrity and continuous professional development where all colleagues are empowered to achieve their potential.

Skills and Experience

Wereproud to be aDisability Confident Employer and therefore people or individuals with disabilities and long-term conditions who best meet theminimumcriteria for a role will go through to the next stage of the recruitment cases of high applicationvolumeswe may progress applicants whose experience most closely matches the roles key requirements. (To learn more about the Disability Confident SchemeClick Here)

Minimum

• An expert in risk management practicesand Second Line of Defence withsignificant experiencein risk management within complex and regulated environments ideally within financial services or the public sector.

• Exceptional analytical and critical thinking abilities with a proven capacity to interpret complex information and deliver cogentactionableandinnovativereports andrecommendations.

• Superior stakeholder management and communication skills with the ability to influence and challenge senior leaders effectively.

• Experience in the development and implementation of riskand controlframeworks policies and risk appetite statements.

Essential

• Proven abilityinoptimisingthe risk and control environment includingfacilitatingrobust riskand opportunityassessments and supporting organisational change initiativesto balance riskand opportunitymakingrisk-conscious decisions.

• Sound judgmentwithdeep understanding ofrisktrade-offs andopportunitycosta strategic mindset and a strong commitment to ongoing professional growth.

• Demonstrable experience in leading and developing high-performing teams of subject matter experts.

• Demonstrable experience of leading a second lineteam/functionand presenting to senior leadership.

• Mustdemonstrateresilienceand energyinnavigatingchallengeandcomplexity.

• Comprehensive understanding of industry best practice and emerging trends in risk management.

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 peoplebusinessesand the UK economy.So ourvaluesmatter.Theyrepresentthe culture we aspire to every day guiding our judgements buildingtrustand helping us to beAt 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 EdinburghLeedsor 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 anypossible barriersand are committed toprovidinga wide range of reasonable adjustments so that you can keep the focus on your conversations and be at your 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.

Benefits

Our competitive benefits scheme gives you the opportunity to create a personalised benefits package tailored to suit your lifecycle. You can thisthis allowance topurchaseadditionalbenefits 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 FCAare required todemonstratethat 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 processand alsodiscloseinformation or personal connections that if appointed might be open to misperception.Anypotential conflicts of interestwill not prevent candidates going forward to interview but may ifappropriate be explored during the interview toestablishhow 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 on30th April 2026.

• Selectionwill be via a two-stage interview and psychometric assessment

• This rolecan be London Edinburgh or Leeds the successful applicant is based in Edinburgh or Leeds regular travel to the London office will beas the team is primarily London based.

• The salary range for the rolefor Londonis130000to165000 and National 118000 to 148500.

• If successful you willbe requiredto obtain andretainSC Clearance.

• We currentlyoperatea hybrid working model working a minimum of 40% in the office each month (50% for senior leaders). This way of working applies in our StratfordLeedsand Edinburgh September 2026 FCA employees willbe requiredto spend a minimum of 50% of their working time in the office. Our Executive Director and Directors will be expected to be in a minimum of 60% per month.

This recruitment process is being led by our search partners at Green Park.

To apply pleasesubmityour CV and cover letter via this link - a conversation in confidence please contact:

Juliet Hardingham -