Associate, Payments and Digital Assets

Financial Conduct Authority; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial regulatory body in the UK is seeking an Associate for Payments & Digital Assets. This role drives impactful policy projects in crypto, ensuring transparent markets and fostering collaboration across teams. Candidates should have relevant experience in financial services, showcasing strong organizational and stakeholder management skills. The position supports hybrid work options and offers extensive benefits including a non-contributory pension and private healthcare.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Hybrid model with up to 60% remote work

Non-contributory pension

Private healthcare

35 hours of paid volunteering annually

Flexible benefits scheme

Qualifications

• Prior experience working within financial services or a regulated industry.
• Experience of analyzing information and forming a judgment.

Responsibilities

• Drive impactful crypto policy projects applying expertise in analysis.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships across the organisation.
• Shape policy proposals to influence regulatory frameworks.
• Lead public consultations on FCA rules and guidance changes.
• Represent FCA in international policy discussions.
• Empower colleagues through training and briefings.

Skills

Organisational skills

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Strategic thinking

Written communication

Oral communication

Education

Prior experience in financial services or regulated industry

Job description

Associate, Payments & Digital Assets
Division: Supervision, Policy and Competition
Department: Payments & Digital Assets

• Salary: National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging £43,100 to £53,100 and London from £47,300 to £59,100 (salary offered will be based on skills and experience)

• This role is graded as: Associate, Regulatory

• Your recruitment contact is Shafika via [e-mail] Applications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via social media or email will not be accepted.

About the FCA and team

We regulate financial services firms in the UK, to keep financial markets fair, thriving and effective. By joining us, you’ll play a key part in protecting consumers, driving economic growth, and shaping the future of UK finance services.

SPC oversees firms and individuals (supervision), creates and reviews the rules by which they operate (policy) and identifies and remedies ineffective competition in markets (competition). Sitting in the Payments and Digital Assets directorate, the Policy department develops policy to address the challenges and opportunities the FCA identifies in crypto, open banking, open finance sectors.

Role responsibilities

• Drive impactful crypto policy projects by applying your expertise in analysis and project management, shaping the future of financial regulation and innovation
• Build strong cross‑functional relationships across the organisation, fostering collaboration that accelerates policy delivery and strengthens FCA’s influence
• Shape policy proposals that directly influence regulatory frameworks, ensuring fair, transparent, and future‑ready markets
• Lead public consultations on FCA rules and guidance changes, amplifying stakeholder voices and driving meaningful improvements in financial services
• Represent the FCA in international policy discussions, contributing to global standards and positioning the UK as a leader in crypto regulation
• Empower colleagues through training, advice, and briefings, enhancing organisational knowledge and enabling informed decision making
• Role model FCA’s Values and Core Capabilities, inspiring excellence and integrity across the organisation

Skills required

Minimum:

• Prior experience of working within financial services or a regulated industry
• Demonstratable experience of analysing information and forming a judgement

Essential:

• Good organisational skills with the ability to manage a variety of competing priorities and issues
• Problem solving and strategic thinking skills
• Good stakeholder management skills with the ability to build a network across the organisation
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Willingness to learn and develop, taking on new responsibilities and adopting a flexible and pragmatic approach to your work

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Hybrid model with up to 60% remote work
• 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
• A flexible benefits scheme designed around your lifestyle

For a full list of our benefits, and our recruitment process as a whole visit our benefits page.

Our values and culture

Our colleagues are the key to our success as a regulator. 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 welcome diverse working styles and aim to find flexible solutions that suit both the role and individual needs, including options like part‑time and job sharing where applicable.

If you require any adjustments due to a disability or condition, your recruiter is here to help - reach out for tailored support.

Disability Confident: our hiring approach

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. In cases of high application volumes, we may progress applicants whose experience most closely matches the role’s key requirements.

Useful information and timeline

• Job advert close: 28th January 2026
• CV Review/Shortlist: 30th January 2026
• First Interview: w/c 9th February 2026
• There are 2 permanent, Associate positions available
• 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.