Security Vetting Specialist

Financial Conduct Authority; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial regulator in the United Kingdom is seeking a Security Vetting Specialist for a 6-month fixed-term contract. This role involves leading vetting enquiries, supporting clearance decisions, and building relationships with partner agencies. The ideal candidate must have proven national security vetting expertise and a strong attention to detail. The position offers a salary range depending on location, a hybrid work model, and extensive benefits including a non-contributory pension and private healthcare.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Hybrid work model with up to 60% remote work

Non-contributory pension

Private healthcare

35 hours of paid volunteering annually

Qualifications

• Experience in case decision-making within a regulatory environment.
• Ability to work independently and maintain confidentiality.
• Flexibility to adapt to changes in the vetting case lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Leading vetting-related enquiries to ensure an efficient clearance process.
• Supporting clearance decision making and identifying risk thresholds.
• Building relationships with partner agencies for improved vetting operations.

Skills

Proven expertise in national security vetting

High attention to detail

Strong relationship management skills

IT proficiency

Tools

UKSV Case Management System

Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Job description

Job title: Security Vetting Specialist - 6 Month Fixed Term Contract

Division: Operations

Department: Operational Resilience

• Salary: National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £39,100 to £48,800 and London £41,600 to £51,900 per annum (Salary offered will be based on skills and experience)

• This role is graded as: Associate - Level 8 - Corporate

• Your recruitment contact is Cameron Nunnvia [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.

Cyber and Information Resilience (C&IR) is responsible for the management of cyber security at the FCA. ‘Cyber security’ means the protection of the FCA's data and systems from malicious and/or accidental activity, including theft, damage and disruption, in order that the FCA can deliver its key business functions. C&IR is part of a Directorate led by our CISO, Director of Cyber & Operational Resilience Division.

Operational Resilience is a strategic priority for the FCA due to several drivers including the volume of change and transformation being undertaken, resilience responsibilities under SMR and the increased threat profile and market responsibility.

Role responsibilities

• Leading and resolving all vetting-related enquiries, proactively navigating issues with clearance holders, recruiters, hiring managers and external agencies to ensure a smooth and efficient clearance process that keeps key resourcing on track.

• Supporting the end-to-end clearance decision making process by identifying risk thresholds and collaborating with FCA departments, strengthening organisational assurance and enabling confident, well-informed decisions.

• Building and maintaining strategic relationships with UKSV and other partner agencies, addressing service gaps and driving improvements that enhance the reliability and efficiency of vetting operations.

• Advising the business on vetting risk appetite, challenging potential policy breaches and creating preventative solutions that promote a secure and compliant organisational environment.

• Working closely with Risk & Compliance to elevate the visibility, understanding and importance of National Security Vetting across the organisation, fostering a stronger risk culture.

• Assessing and making decisions on Security Clearance requests, including complex and high-risk cases, providing clear risk-mitigation recommendations that safeguard the organisation through fair, consistent and robust judgement.

Skills required

Minimum:

• Proven expertise in national security vetting, including case decision-making via the UKSV Case Management System and Portal, with working knowledge of national vetting policy, compliance standards and risk-based decision-making within a regulatory environment.

• Prior experience in a role requiring a high attention to detail with excellent IT proficiency, especially across Word, Excel, Outlook and related tools.

• Demonstrable experience in a role requiring strong relationship management skills with experience of developing relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

Essential:

• Ability to work independently, prioritise tasks, escalate issues appropriately and take responsibility for actions.

• Proven track record of working to tight deadlines while maintaining accuracy and confidentiality.

• Flexibility and willingness to take on new tasks and responsibilities.

• Adaptability to changes in the vetting case lifecycle.

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.

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 theminimum 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 timelines

Timeline:

• Job advert close: Monday, 5th January at 23:59.

• CV Review/Shortlist: Wednesday, 7th January.

• Interviews commence: w/c 15th 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.

SC Clearance is required for this role ( SC Guidance ) - you will hold or will be required to obtain Security Check (SC) level vetting.