Open Banking Policy Associate 9-Month Secondment/Acting up Opportunity

Financial Conduct Authority; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK regulatory body is seeking an Open Banking Policy Advisor to develop forward-thinking policy proposals and lead public consultations on regulatory changes. The ideal candidate will have policy-making experience in a regulated field, excellent stakeholder management skills, and a problem-solving mindset. Join us in shaping the future of Open Banking! This role offers a competitive salary and a benefits package including hybrid work options.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Non-contributory pension (8–12%)

Private healthcare with Bupa

35 hours of paid volunteering annually

Flexible benefits scheme

Qualifications

• Prior experience with policy making in a regulated field is required.
• Proven experience in building and managing relationships with stakeholders is essential.
• Demonstrable analytical experience contributing to policy development is important.

Responsibilities

• Develop forward-thinking policy proposals using market intelligence.
• Lead public consultations on FCA rule changes.
• Influence market developments and ensure FCA priorities are embedded.

Skills

Policy making experience

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Organizational skills

Job description

Open Banking Policy Advisor

Division: Payments Digital Assets

Department: Open Finance

• Salary: National (Leeds and Edinburgh) ranging from £52,400 - £65,500 and London ranging from £57,700 - £72,000. Salary to be offered based on skills and experience.
• This role is graded as: Senior 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).

Sitting in the Payments and Digital Assets directorate, the Open Banking and Open Finance department supervises and drives regulatory standards in Open banking and finance.

Role responsibilities

• Develop forward-thinking policy proposals using market intelligence, helping shape the future of Open Banking
• Lead public consultations on FCA rule and guidance changes, ensuring transparency and stakeholder engagement in regulatory development
• Influence market developments and key stakeholders, ensuring FCA priorities are embedded in industry-led changes
• Contribute to the long-term regulatory framework for Open Banking, supporting innovation while protecting consumers
• Champion data-sharing opportunities, helping unlock personalised, accessible financial services for consumers and businesses
• Join at a pivotal moment — as the FCA was named as the UK’s regulator for Open Banking in the National Payments Vision, your work will help shape the UK’s digital financial future

Skills required

Minimum:

• Prior experience with policy making or proven experience of using information from a range of sources to form a judgement in a regulated field
• Proven experience of building and managing relationships with stakeholders
• Demonstrable experience of analysing information and contributing to the development of policy

Essential:

• Evidence of problem solving and organisational skills with the ability to manage a variety of priorities and issues
• Good stakeholder management with the ability to build a network across and beyond the organisation
• Willingness to learn and develop, taking on new responsibilities and adopting a flexible and pragmatic approach to your work
• Prior experience presenting key issues clearly and succinctly both orally and in writing

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Hybrid model with up to 60% remote workNon-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.

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

Timeline:

• Job advert close: 10th December
• CV Review/Shortlist: 12th December
• First Interview: w/c 5th January
• 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.