Senior Policy Advisor, Consumer Finance

Financial Conduct Authority; London; Hybrid; GBP 57,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Policy Advisor to join their Consumer Finance team. This role offers the chance to work on high-impact policy initiatives, focusing on consumer protection in the financial market. You will collaborate with diverse stakeholders, lead projects, and contribute to shaping regulations that affect the consumer finance landscape. With a supportive team environment and opportunities for professional growth, this position is ideal for those passionate about making a difference in financial regulation. Embrace the challenge and be part of a team that values innovation and inclusivity.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Hybrid working (up to 60% from home)

Private healthcare

Non-contributory pension plan

Life assurance

Income protection

Flexible benefits scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in consumer finance and regulatory environments.
• Strong analytical skills to assess data and identify issues.

Responsibilities

• Develop policy proposals collaboratively with colleagues.
• Draft briefings and present recommendations to the board.
• Manage team workload and engage with external stakeholders.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Stakeholder Management

Policy Analysis

Project Management

Communication Skills

Education

Degree in Finance or Economics

Relevant Policy Experience

Job description

Senior Policy Advisor

Division – Supervision, Policy and Competition

Department – Consumer Finance

Salary - National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £52,400 to £ £80,600 and London £57,000 to £88,600 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 Consumer Finance Directorate is responsible for the supervision and policy making for the consumer finance market encompassing 30,000 firms across 8 portfolios. It also encompasses 3 additional portfolios claims management companies, credit unions and mortgage intermediaries.

The successful candidate will play a vital role in the critical work the Consumer Finance Policy team undertakes in protecting consumers in the UK. Our work is frequently concerned with issues facing the most vulnerable in society and their use of credit and debt products. As a Senior Policy Advisor , you will have the opportunity to make an impact through ownership of one or more projects and in supporting the work of the wider team.

What will you be doing?

• Collaboratively work with colleagues to develop policy proposals and take them through internal and external processes

• Draft briefings and papers to explain complex issues

• Present recommendations to the FCA Board and Executive Committee s

• Help manage the team’s reactive workload (supporting other teams, responding to MPs letter & queries)

• Work with external stakeholders (e.g., the consumer credit industry, HM Treasury, consumer bodies) to promote our objectives

• Share your knowledge and best practice with colleagues

For this role we would welcome applications from colleagues with knowledge of consumer credit and/or some experience of policymaking at the FCA. In addition, we’d welcome those with a curious, supportive and collaborative approach to resolving complex issues, excellent stakeholder & communication skills and the confidence to drive work forward.

What will you get from the role?

• You will have the opportunity to work on some of the most high-profile and impactful policy initiatives at the FCA

• An exciting time to work in policy, as we work with the new Government to deliver their policy agenda including regulation of Deferred Payment Credit (BNPL) and reform of the Consumer Credit Act 1974

• Intellectually challenging and rewarding work in a well-established and supportive team to support you in delivering crucial work and developing your potential

Which skills are required ?

We are a Disability Confident Employer; therefore, disabled people or individuals with long-term conditions who best meet the minimum criteria for a role will go through to the next stage of the recruitment process. (To learn more about the Disability Confident Scheme Click Here )

Minimum

• Prior experience of assessing data and intelligence and identifying relevant issues and themes

• Prior experience of experience of analysing and/or resolving policy issues

Essential

• Knowledge derived from practical, hands on and recent experience of working in the consumer finance market or in the regulation of similar markets

• Experience of leading projects to deliver strategy, framework, risk appetite and controls

• Good understanding of the wider business, economic and market environment

• Strong analytical capability with a proven ability to quickly and clearly draw out key implications from a broad and varied range of information

• An independent thinker with a collaborative mind-set and a risk-based approach, including the ability to reach sound and timely judgements which can be justified in a concise and effective manner

• An ability to produce consistently high-quality outputs to tight deadlines

• Strong communications skills with a proven track record in stakeholder management and influencing skills

Our Values & Diversity

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and our ambition is to cultivate a culture for all employees that respects their individual strengths, views, and experiences. 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.

Within the workplace you will have access to various employee resource groups which aim to promote and achieve a healthy work / life balance and support our diversity ambitions.

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

The FCA is committed to achieving greater diversity across all levels of the organisation. Given this, we particularly welcome applications from women, minority ethnic, disabled, and neurodivergent candidates for our Senior Associate role.

Benefits of working at the FCA

• 25 days holiday per year plus bank holidays

• Hybrid working (work from home up to 60% of your time)

• Private healthcare with Bupa

• A non-contributory Pension of at least 8% of basic salary each month (there are several contribution levels that increase depending on your age – up to 12% a month once you reach age 35)

• Life assurance of eight times your basic salary

• Income protection

We also have a competitive flexible benefits scheme which gives you the opportunity to create a personalised benefits package, tailored to suit your lifestyle.

We welcome applications from candidates who are looking for flexible arrangements. Many of our staff work flexibly including working part-time, staggered hours, and job shares. We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want but we can explore what might work best for both sides.

Follow this link to see what life is like at the FCA - Life at the FCA

Application Support

We are dedicated to removing barriers and ensuring our application process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition requiring changes to the recruitment process, please contact your recruiter using the details below and they will be happy to discuss this further with you.

Useful Information and Timeline

• This role is graded as Senior Associate - Regulatory

• Advert Closing Date: 18 th May 2025

• CV Review/Shortlist: 20 th May 2025

• First Round Case Study Assessment : w/c 26 th May 2025

• Competency Based Interview: w/c 2 nd June 2025

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.

Got a question?

If you are interested in learning more about the role, please contact [e-mail]

Applications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via email will not be accepted.