Senior Case Officer, Banking Authorisations

at  Financial Conduct Authority

Senior Case Officer, Banking Authorisations
Division - Authorisations
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 Banking Authorisations Team sits in our Authorisations Division and works closely with the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) in assessing whether potential new banks, both domestic and international, meet the standards to operate in the UK market.
It is an exciting time for the team as we continually adapt to new and varied banking business models, the increasing use of digital channels that introduce new and innovative customer offerings.
We are recruiting for two talented Senior Associates to lead the assessment of new bank authorisation applications from both domestic new entrants and overseas banks seeking to establish operations in the UK. You will work with your Lead Associate to develop a clear, risk conscious case assessment strategy for each of the applications you are responsible for. You will also be accountable for the delivery of either elements of the strategy or indeed the strategy in its entirety.
You will make use of sound project management disciplines to ensure that the transactions you are accountable for are progressed effectively, co-ordinating resource and prioritising/re-prioritising effectively where necessary.

What will you be doing?

• Responsible for contributing and supporting to the development of risk-based and outcome focussed strategies for the gateway assessment of new banks;
• Assessing a portfolio of applications from firms to identify the key risks of harm posed by the firms and their proposed business models, the governance and controls firms have in place to mitigate the risks of harm and making timely recommendations for decision on these applications;
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of banking and/or payments business models, keeping abreast of developments in the market impacting on the work of the team;
• You think strategically to ensure key risks/issues/project work are joined up;
• Communicating confidently and influencing senior stakeholders at applicant banks including delivering difficult messages in a composed and constructive manner;
• Participating and supporting projects that impact Authorisations and the FCA as a whole;

What will you get from the role?

This role will interest and suit applicants who are driven by the following:

• The opportunity to think strategically and influence the future shape of the Department and the wider Authorisations Division;
• The opportunity to positively influence new bank business models through regular engagement with the Executive and Board of new banks including delivering sensitive or difficult messages;
• Developing and maintaining excellent relationships and networks across the FCA, the PRA and various other stakeholders;
• Freedom to exercise and display sound judgement and initiative, using various sources of information and intelligence;
• The opportunity to oversee different and often innovative business and operating models including cutting edge fin-tech propositions and firms operating in the cryptoasset market;

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
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Minimum

• Prior experience of analysing business models and identifying risks facing firms or their customers;
• Prior experience of the UK regulatory framework

Essential

• Ability to assimilate and analyse information to form judgments and mitigate potential risks;
• Proactive approach to work including the ability to use your own initiative to identify potential issues;
• A strong team player with the ability to be flexible and pragmatic. Able to adapt to changing circumstances, positively embracing new approaches;
• Ability to manage differing workloads across a broad portfolio, thrive under pressure and deliver to tight deadlines;
• Evidence of building and maintaining professional relationships with stakeholders;
• Ability to contribute to and provide effective challenge to senior management;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills demonstrable through the writing of papers and / or presentation at committees
• Excellent time and workload management, demonstrating the ability to manage and prioritise different tasks effectively;
• Comfortable with responsibility and managing ambiguity

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 Senior Associate, Regulatory
• Advert Closing Date: Sunday 26th January 2025 (midnight)
• First Round Case Study Assessment: Early February 2025
• Competency Based Interview: February 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:
For internal candidates: please speak to Jen Wishart on
jennifer.wishart@fca.org.uk
For external applicants, please contact Aaron Ward on
aaron.ward@fca.org.uk
Applications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via email will not be accepted.

What will you be doing?

• Responsible for contributing and supporting to the development of risk-based and outcome focussed strategies for the gateway assessment of new banks;
• Assessing a portfolio of applications from firms to identify the key risks of harm posed by the firms and their proposed business models, the governance and controls firms have in place to mitigate the risks of harm and making timely recommendations for decision on these applications;
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of banking and/or payments business models, keeping abreast of developments in the market impacting on the work of the team;
• You think strategically to ensure key risks/issues/project work are joined up;
• Communicating confidently and influencing senior stakeholders at applicant banks including delivering difficult messages in a composed and constructive manner;
• Participating and supporting projects that impact Authorisations and the FCA as a whole

This role will interest and suit applicants who are driven by the following:

• The opportunity to think strategically and influence the future shape of the Department and the wider Authorisations Division;
• The opportunity to positively influence new bank business models through regular engagement with the Executive and Board of new banks including delivering sensitive or difficult messages;
• Developing and maintaining excellent relationships and networks across the FCA, the PRA and various other stakeholders;
• Freedom to exercise and display sound judgement and initiative, using various sources of information and intelligence;
• The opportunity to oversee different and often innovative business and operating models including cutting edge fin-tech propositions and firms operating in the cryptoasset market