Head of Department, Financial Conduct Authority

• Significant experience of managing and influencing key stakeholders, including senior decision makers internally and externally
• In-depth experience in technology regulation, operational resilience, or evidence demonstrating a keen desire to learn more and support others’ learning in the fields of cyber, technology risk, artificial intelligence and emerging challenges such as quantum computing
• Significant experience in leading teams to deliver high quality complex work
• Experience developing and communicating new policies and standards to firms
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral (ability to convey complex issues in a coherent, logical and compelling way, including communicating technical issues to non-technical audiences)
• Exceptionally strong judgement, supported by highly developed analytical skills and high levels of diligence; can demonstrate making challenging, risk-based decisions in a complex and changing landscape
• Experience in dealing with contentious issues in firms, taking decisive action and delivering difficult messages
• An ability to get up to speed on new issues quickly and innovative thinking for how to deal with new complex problems most effectively
• Experience of role modelling strong leadership behaviours in line with organisational values
• The ability to inclusively lead a group of talented individuals with a wide variety of professional expertise, experience, and backgrounds
• An open and flexible management style and the ability to communicate effectively to a wide-ranging audience with different skills and perspectives
• The job holder will be required to obtain Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance
• 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

Desirable

• An exciting opportunity has arisen to take on the role of Head of Technology, Resilience and Cyber (TRC) department
• TRC plays a central role in protecting consumers and markets from the impact of operational disruption and cyber-attacks
• The department comprises five specialist teams focused on incident response, supervisory strategy, and engagement with domestic and international stakeholders
• The department is at the forefront of shaping regulatory approaches to technology risk, cyber security, third party oversight, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing
• It also leads the FCA’s oversight of Critical Third Parties (CTPs) under FSMA 2023, working jointly with the PRA and Bank of England to ensure the operational resilience of key service providers to the UK financial industry
• Joining the Senior Leadership Team at the FCA during an exciting and challenging time of great change in financial services and its regulation
• Leading a department of talented and committed people through significant projects whilst also delivering on business-as-usual objectives
• Exposure to strategic issues and key players in the world of finance, both nationally and internationally
• This is an opportunity to make a significant difference. Your work will play a key part in the financial authorities’ ability to minimise the impact of operational disruptions to the financial services industry and the UK more widely
• At a time of rapid technological change and increasing cyber threats, you will have the opportunity to lead and shape the FCA’s, firms’ and the international regulatory community’s agenda on operational resilience, third party risk management, cyber security, and the regulation of artificial intelligence
• Leading a large, blended department of FCA supervisors, operational and cyber resilience specialists, incident responders, policy experts and data analysts, in delivering the FCA’s work helping the UK financial services industry be resilient to operational disruptions
• Leading the FCA’s crisis response to major incidents, often chairing crisis coordination meetings with HMT, PRA, NCSC and others, as part of the UK’s Sector Response Framework
• Leading the development and adaptation of the FCA’s rules and standards for firms in their operational and cyber resilience, so they keep pace with emerging threats and technologies
• Developing and delivering a long-term strategy for the department, aligning broader divisional and organisational strategies
• Leading on performance, capability and culture within the department, with a strong focus on operational excellence
• Delivering through others by relying on coaching, influencing and negotiating skills with a range of internal and external stakeholders
• Building a strong and inclusive directorate that attracts and develops diverse talent

• The closing date for this role is 23:55 on 26th April
• Selection will be via a two-stage interview and psychometric assessment
• If successful, you will be required to obtain and retain DV Clearance
• To apply please submit your CV and cover letter