The Corporate Governance Division comprises the following teams: 

• The Central Secretariat which provides a secretariat and governance function for the FCA and PSR Boards and Board Committees, the FCA’s Executive Committee and the principal other executive committees 

• The Decision-Making Committees Secretariat which provides legal and secretariat support for the FCA’s Regulatory Decisions Committee (RDC), the PSR’s Enforcement Decisions Committee (EDC) and the Competition Decisions Committees (CDC) of both the FCA and the PSR 

• The Consumer Panel Secretariat which provides policy and secretariat support for the Financial Services Consumer Panel 

• The Practitioner Panels Secretariat which provides policy and secretariat support for the FCA’s Practitioner Panel, Smaller Business Practitioner Panel, Markets Practitioner Panel, Listing Authority Advisory Panel and the PSR Panel 

• The Conflict of Interests Policy unit which provides advice and guidance on the management of conflicts of interests and is responsible for maintaining and operating the FCA’s Conflict of Interests Policy 

What will the candidate get from the role?  

• 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 directorate 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 

• An opportunity to engage and influence at the most senior level in a complex environment with multiple internal and external stakeholders; contact with high profile organisations whose role is critical to the success of the financial services sector and its consumers, and to the UK economy; and the ability to influence the shape of corporate governance structure of the FCA and the PSR. 

Key responsibilities:  

• Leads and directs the division’s stakeholder management programme, proactively offering appropriate advice, guidance, and challenge to key stakeholders, including the Chair, Board and Senior Executives of both the FCA and the PSR, and ensuring that the services provided meet expectations. 

• Ensuring that the FCA and PSR demonstrate high standards of corporate governance, and that both organisations are compliant with Companies Acts legislation and the UK Corporate Governance Code (insofar as applicable) 

• Engaging staff within and outside the division to attract, develop and retain talent and overseeing the effective staff appraisal, talent management, learning and development planning, reward, and recognition. 

• Proactive oversight of the operation and administration of the FCA and PSR Boards and Board Committees; Attending Board and Committee meetings to provide advice and guidance to the Chair(s) and members as appropriate. 

• Managing the annual review of the effectiveness of both Boards 

• Providing proactive oversight of the operation and administration of the Independent Panels established by the FCA and the PSR; In addition to the RDC and CDC, of the FCA, and EDC & CDC, of the PSR, and oversight of the new cost benefit analysis panel. 

• Acting as the FCA’s Ethics Officer; providing oversight of the Conflicts of Interest Policy 

• Overseeing the process of Chair and member appointments for the independent panels and the decision-making committees 

• Providing strategic oversight and leadership to the Corporate Governance division- building an inclusive culture and driving high performance across delivery and corporate activities, including budget, risk and people management. 

Skills/Experience Required   

The FCA are a signatory to the Government’s Disability Confident scheme. This means that the FCA guarantees an interview to any disabled candidates entering under the scheme, should they meet the minimum criteria for a role. A minimum criterion needs to be measurable from reviewing a candidate’s CV. 

Minimum   

• Significant experience of managing and influencing key stakeholders, including senior decision makers internally and externally  

• Role model strong leadership behaviors in line with the FCA values and capabilities, embedding the Mission and delivering organizational priorities. 

• Ability to build a strategic ‘vision’ and strong influencing skills to enable organizational buy-in and implementation.  

• Understanding of best practice of governance, ethics, and relevant legislative requirements. This may have been acquired in supervisory or enforcement roles, or through previous experience in a compliance or governance function. 

Essential   

• 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. 

• A track record of delivering processes in a timely and efficient manner. 

• Credibility and confidence to build effective relationships with senior individuals at the highest levels within the financial services sector. 

• Ability to exercise independence of thought and communicate concisely. 

• Excellent decision-making skills 

• Experience in a Company Secretary role, or having a relevant professional qualification.  

• Experience of the administration of complex decision-making processes 

• Experience of dealing with decision-making bodies such as Boards or committees, and ability to demonstrate understanding of how these bodies work effectively. 

• Ability to understand the FCA’s objectives and legislative requirements, recognising and managing the tensions between the perspectives of government, industry, and consumer interests, so that FCA decision-making committees and the Board are suitably informed about these. 

• Strong awareness of risk – the ability to identify, manage and mitigate risks, particularly reputational risks. 

Desirable  

• High-level exposure to some combination of business, regulation, and government. 

• Experience of managing a significant budget. 

• Relevant professional qualification. 

• Proven experience of leading teams within a change environment 

Core benefits that you will receive as standard are: 

• 30 days holiday per year plus bank holidays  

• 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 

Conflicts of interest  

All applicants to the FCA are required to demonstrate that they do not have other interests likely to conflict with their responsibilities as an employee of the FCA. You should declare any potential conflict of interest as early as possible in the selection process, and also disclose information or personal connections that, if appointed, might be open to misperception.   

Any potential conflicts of interest will not prevent candidates going forward to interview but may, if appropriate, be explored during the interview to establish how the candidate would address the issue(s) should they be successful in their application.   

Useful information  

• The closing date for this role is 23:55 on 18 November 2024

• Selection will be via a two-stage interview and psychometric assessment   

• If successful, you will be required to obtain and retain SC Clearance.   

• The salary range for the role is between £215k to £265k

Please apply by clicking this link - www.gatenbysanderson.com/job/Gse116352

The FCA has retained Gatenby Sanderson to advise on this appointment.

For further information about the position and additional details on qualifications, requirements, terms and conditions of service and how to apply, please contact Zoe Bennett at [email protected] or 07778 178265