Job Title: Lead Risk Advisor
Department: Risk & Compliance Oversight Division (R&CO)
Division: Risk Advisory
Salary: National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £60,700 to £70,000 and London £66,600 to £75,000 (salary offered will be based on skills and experience)
This role is graded as: Lead Associate – Regulatory
Your recruitment contact is Steve Christopher via steve.christopher@fca.org.uk. Applications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via social media or email will not be accepted.
We are recruiting for two positions: One permanent and one 6 month fixed term position.
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.
This is a pivotal role that supports the business in identifying, assessing, and managing risks across the FCA. You will act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, providing expert guidance on risk management practices, embedding a strong risk culture, and ensuring that risk is considered in all key decisions.
The Risk and Compliance Oversight Division (R&CO) provides the FCA’s second line of defence, working closely with colleagues across the organisation to identify, assess and communicate risks that could impact the delivery of its statutory objectives. The Division owns and maintains the FCA’s Risk Management Framework, offers clear and supportive oversight of risk management practices, provides enterprise‑wide risk analysis and reporting and delivers Regulatory Investigations, Assurance, Compliance Oversight and complaints handling, helping to uphold consistent, effective and high quality outcomes.
Role responsibilities
Partner with senior leaders to shape and guide risk decisions, bringing clear, professional insight that improves governance and organisational resilience for consumers
Lead risk initiatives across R&CO and the wider FCA, enhancing the control environment so the organisation can deliver safer and more effective outcomes
Represent R&CO on major change programmes, ensuring transformation is well governed and ultimately supports a more secure and fair financial system
Build inclusive, collaborative relationships across the FCA, enabling teams to work together on shared risk priorities and elevate the organisation’s risk awareness
Shape cross organisational projects that raise risk maturity, helping the FCA meet its strategic goals of consumer protection, market integrity and sustainable growth
Support first line teams to embed robust risk practices, empowering them to balance risk and opportunity in ways that improve the financial wellbeing of millions
Provide clear, objective oversight on a wide range of issues, offering constructive challenge that promotes transparency and responsible decision making
Coach and mentor colleagues, creating a supportive environment that builds capability, confidence and future leadership within the FCA
Skills required
Minimum:
Prior experience in risk management within a first line or risk related function (e.g., Risk, Internal Audit), with familiarity in applying risk processes and frameworks
Demonstrable experience leading complex projects or tasks, planning effectively, prioritising well and aligning delivery with team and divisional objectives
Proven experience communicating clearly and managing stakeholders professionally, with the ability to influence and provide constructive feedback at all levels
Essential:
Exhibit a flexible, positive demeanour, capable of using initiative, working with others and encouraging the delivery of high-quality outcomes
An analytical mindset with demonstrated skill in interpreting complex data and turning it into clear, actionable insights
Demonstrated ability to identify, assess and mitigate risks, underpinned by a solid understanding of how effective controls are designed and implemented
The ability to manage and synthesise complex information, connect strategic themes, highlight key risks and issues and propose practical, solutions‑focused actions
Benefits
25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
Hybrid model where employees work a minimum of 40% in the office each month (expectation of 50% for senior leaders). Changing from September to a minimum of 50% in the office each month (expectation of 60% for Directors and Executive Directors)
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: 29th March 2026 at 11:59pm
CV Review/Shortlist: 31st March 2026
Interviews: w/c 6th April 2026
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.