Strategic Communications Associate

Financial Conduct Authority; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A regulatory authority for financial practices seeks a Strategic Communications Associate to support communication projects and engage with media. The role involves triaging media queries, monitoring coverage, and managing proactive announcements. Ideal candidates have experience in communication project management and excellent verbal/written communication skills. Benefits include a hybrid work model and a flexible benefits scheme.

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

• Experience managing communication projects and/or media.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to develop communication plans.

Responsibilities

• Support senior communications in engaging trade bodies.
• Manage reactive media queries and announcements.
• Monitor media and produce coverage updates.
• Handle proactive announcements independently.
• Deliver high-quality outcomes on projects.
• Develop strategic approaches for FCA communication.

Skills

Communication project management

Stakeholder relationship management

Traditional and social media knowledge

Microsoft Office proficiency

Team collaboration

Communication planning

Tools

Media monitoring tools

Job description

Strategic Communications Associate

Division: Communications
Department: Strategic Communications & News

• Salary: National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £39,100 to £45,633.33 and London from £41,600 to ££48,533.33 (salary offered will be based on skills and experience)
• This role is graded as: Associate – Level 8 – Corporate
• Your recruitment contact is Rumana Hussain 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.

In the Communications division at the FCA, we change opinions and behaviours to enable a fair and thriving financial services market for the good of consumers and the economy. It’s an exciting time as we’re expanding our team and changing how we do things to deliver more engaging, insight-led, audience focused communications. If you want to be part of a supportive and fun team, work across a wide range of issues and are ready to be challenged, curious and creative then come and join us.

The Strategic Communications and News team is at the heart of what and how the organisation communicates – working with the strategy team to help set and deliver the FCA’s external communication objectives and ensuring that our communication is clear, concise and compelling. The team is split into three: strategic communication partners, editorial and speechwriting, and social media.

Role responsibilities

• Supporting senior communications colleagues in engaging relevant trade bodies, while gaining valuable experience in shaping and delivering key communication
• Triaging all reactive media queries, support key announcements and ensuring national queries are fed through to relevant senior communications colleagues where appropriate
• Monitoring media, social media and other commentary to produce coverage updates, whilst responding effectively to trade media inquiries
• Assisting senior communications colleagues to deliver significant proactive announcements, while independently managing lower-profile announcements where appropriate
• Taking ownership for projects, delivering high-quality outcomes while strengthening your skills within a dynamic communications environment
• Developing the strategic approach for priority areas to deliver FCA communication plan outcomes, whilst building subject matter expertise in specific areas of financial regulation

Skills required

Minimum:

• Previous experience of managing communication projects and/or dealing with media
• Proven experience in a role which has required strong written and verbal communication skills, along with the ability to cultivate and manage stakeholder relationships across all levels
• Experience of developing communication plans and products into communication goals, clear key messages and engaging content for diverse audiences

Essential:

• Strong knowledge of traditional and social media
• Experience of working with Microsoft Office applications
• Demonstrate ability to collaborate effectively within a team while maintaining the flexibility to work independently and take initiatives
• Familiar with relevant communication tools used for media and social media monitoring
• Ability to adapt and react to changing circumstances, adjusting priorities as needed and a willingness to take on new tasks and responsibilities
• Demonstrate an interest and understanding in the FCA’s work, its operations, and the wider financial services sector

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 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 timelines

Timeline:

• Job advert close: 4th December 2025
• CV Review/Shortlist: 8th December 2025
• First Interview: WC 15th December 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.