Lead European Policy Advisor

Financial Conduct Authority; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 59,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial regulatory body is seeking a Lead European Policy Advisor to shape and deliver its engagement strategy with European authorities. The role involves leading relationships with key regulatory bodies, driving policy integration, and ensuring strategic collaboration. Ideal candidates will have demonstrable experience in EU policy making and strong communication skills. This position is based in the United Kingdom, offering a hybrid working model.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Hybrid model with up to 60% remote work

Non-contributory pension

Private healthcare with Bupa

35 hours of paid volunteering annually

Flexible benefits scheme

Qualifications

• Prior experience of EU policy making or regulatory processes.
• Competence in delivering through others in a collaborative environment.
• Ability to analyse and propose strategic solutions.

Responsibilities

• Shape and deliver European engagement strategy.
• Lead relationships with European regulatory authorities.
• Drive cross-cutting policy integration.
• Ownership of UK relationship in EU debates.
• Champion international perspectives in decision-making.
• Adapt to a fast-paced policy environment.

Skills

EU policy making experience

Policy development in financial services

Stakeholder influencing

Collaborative team work

Strategic approach to complex issues

Excellent written and oral communication

Job description

Job Title: Lead European Policy Advisor

Division: Supervision, Policy and Competition

Department: International

• Salary: National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £59,100 to £69,200 and London from £64,900 to £75,000 (salary offered will be based on skills and experience).
• This role is graded as: Lead Associate
• Your recruitment contact is: Riley Fox 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).

The Europe Strategy and Engagement Teams helps set, advise and deliver on the FCA’s strategic engagement with the EU and wider European authorities and jurisdictions working in collaboration with colleagues across the FCA and UK authorities to tackle strategic issues.

Role responsibilities

• Shape and deliver our European engagement strategy, influencing how we connect globally and ensuring our work reflects international best practice.
• Lead relationships with key European regulatory authorities and EU institutions, strengthening collaboration and enhancing our global reputation.
• Drive cross‑cutting policy work, integrating international evidence into decision‑making to support smarter, more informed regulation.
• Own the relationship with UK regulatory authorities to amplify the UK voice in European debates.
• Champion international perspectives internally, helping teams apply global insights to complex challenges.
• Navigate a fast‑paced, evolving policy landscape, working with a skilled and supportive team that values innovation and collaboration.

Skills required

Minimum:

• Prior experience of EU policy making, legislative, regulatory or supervisory processes.
• Prior experience of policy development, supervision or enforcement in financial services.
• Prior experience of advising and influencing internal and external stakeholders.

Essential:

• Work inclusively and collaboratively, as part of a multi‑disciplinary team, drawing on a range of expertise across the wider organisation to deliver.
• Proven ability to deliver through others, leading and motivating colleagues across multiple projects.
• Assured strategic approach – able to analyse complex issues, making judgements and proposals to build a long‑term plan. Comfortable working with incomplete information.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain complex issues succinctly and compellingly, adapted to the audience.

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 & 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.

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

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.

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

• CV Review/Shortlist: 20th November
• First Interview: w/c 1st December
• Second Interview: w/c 8th December
• Job advert close: w/c 18th November
• 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.