Personal Assistant to Head of Department

Financial Conduct Authority; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading regulatory body is seeking a Personal Assistant to support the Head of Department in a busy division. This role offers the opportunity to engage with senior stakeholders and manage departmental communications while ensuring effective briefings and support for leadership. The position provides a chance to learn and advance within the organization, all while working in a flexible and inclusive environment.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Hybrid working (up to 60% remote)

Private healthcare with Bupa

Non-contributory pension scheme (8%-12% of salary)

Life assurance of eight times your salary

Income protection

Qualifications

• Experience as a Personal Assistant with excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional assistance to the Head of Department.
• Oversee inbox management and prepare agendas for meetings.
• Coordinate agendas and meeting papers for stakeholders.

Skills

Organizational Skills

Stakeholder Engagement

Communication

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

OneNote

Job description

Title – Personal Assistant to Head of Department (9 Month Fixed-Term Contract)

Division – Authorisations

Salary - National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £28,800 to £43,100 and London £31,600 to £47,400 per annum (Salary offered will be based on skills and experience)

About the FCA

The FCA regulates the conduct of 45,000 firms in the UK to ensure our financial markets are honest, fair and competitive. Follow this link to find out more About the FCA.

The Team

The Authorisations Division ensures firms and individuals applying for authorization or approval understand how we test compliance. We use authorization to help deliver our public offerings and to protect consumers from harm caused by misconduct in the financial services industry. An opportunity has arisen for a Personal Assistant to support the Head of Department for Controllers & Cancellations in Authorisations. This role involves supporting a busy department that handles applications for Change in Control and Cancellations across all financial sectors.

What will you be doing?

• Provide professional assistance to the Head of Department, managing information and progressing actions, including liaising with senior management and external stakeholders.
• Oversee inbox management, monitor emails, prepare agendas for management meetings, and follow up on actions.
• Investigate queries, manage departmental communications, and support management with ad hoc tasks.
• Coordinate agendas, meeting papers, and pending actions for stakeholders, ensuring effective briefings.

What will you get from the role?

• Deep understanding of departmental functions, processes, and priorities.
• Opportunity to learn and expand internal knowledge.
• Support to leadership and strategic direction of the department.
• Exposure to senior stakeholders within the FCA.
• Potential to advance within the organization by providing essential support.

Which skills are required?

We are a Disability Confident Employer; disabled people or those with long-term conditions who meet the minimum criteria will progress to the next recruitment stage. (Learn more about the Disability Confident Scheme Click Here.)

Minimum

• Experience as a Personal Assistant with excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, OneNote, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Essential

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and trust of sensitive information.
• Capacity to manage competing priorities and work under tight deadlines.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Team player with the ability to work independently.
• Excellent communication skills adaptable to different audiences.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances and take on new tasks.

Our Values & Diversity

We are committed to being an inclusive employer, fostering a culture that respects individual strengths, views, and experiences. Our diversity enhances decision-making, innovation, and regulatory effectiveness.

Employees have access to resource groups promoting work/life balance and supporting diversity.

Did you know? 50% of our Executive Committee members were the first in their families to attend university.

Benefits of working at the FCA

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
• Hybrid working (up to 60% remote).
• Private healthcare with Bupa.
• Non-contributory pension scheme (8%-12% of salary depending on age).
• Life assurance of eight times your salary.
• Income protection.

We offer a flexible benefits scheme to tailor your package to your lifestyle. We welcome applications for flexible working arrangements, including part-time, staggered hours, and job shares.

Learn more about life at the FCA - Life at the FCA.

Application Support

We strive to make our application process accessible. If you need adjustments or accommodations, please contact your recruiter.

Useful Information and Timeline

• Role graded as Senior Professional Support – Corporate.
• Closing date: 30th May 2025 (Midnight).
• Shortlisting: 3rd June 2025.
• Interviews: WC 9th June 2025.

Please inform your recruiter if you are unavailable during these dates.

Got a question?

Contact Rumana Hussain at [e-mail] for more information.

Applications must be submitted via our online portal; email applications will not be accepted.