• Job Description

  Req#: JR0017900

  Job Title- Innovation, Research and Proof of Concept Team Manager

  Division – Market Oversight
  Department – Market Oversight Data & Intelligence

  Team - Innovation, Research and Proof of Concept

  Salary – National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £72,100 to £117,100 and London £79,300 to £128,800 pro rata (Salary offered will be based on skills and experience)

  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.

  A unique and exciting opportunity has arisen for a manager to play a key role in the development and leadership of a growing area within the Market Oversight Data and Intelligence (MODI) department.

  MODI is responsible for managing extensive data across both primary and secondary markets, including listings. Within MODI, the newly formed Innovation, Research and Proof of Concept (IRP) team focuses on exploring how we can maximise the value of our data—supporting collaboration, experimentation, and long-term progress across Market Oversight.

  We are the custodians of two of our most significant data sets: the UK MiFID data and the National Storage Mechanism. With a strong pipeline of ideas, our work aims to simplify regulatory processes and contribute to sustainable market development. We also collaborate with leading UK universities to explore new trends and prepare for future changes. The IRP team sits at the centre of this innovation strategy and continues to expand.

  We are seeking a manager who will provide clear direction, inclusive leadership, and support to the IRP team. This team leads a varied portfolio, including:

  • Managing our innovation pipeline—nurturing early-stage ideas and developing them into tangible improvements

  • Coordinating proof of concept initiatives—encouraging continuous learning and exploration through technology

  • Advancing our research partnerships—working with UK universities to explore potential scenarios that improve insight and reduce market risk across UK MiFID, UK EMIR, and UK SFTR regimes

  • Creating a supportive and open working culture that encourages curiosity, knowledge sharing, and new perspectives

  • This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who enjoys working in a collaborative environment, values diverse thinking, and wants to contribute to meaningful change in financial markets

  What will you be doing?

  • Collaborating across Market Oversight (MO) to develop and manage the Innovation, Research and Proof of Concept (IRP) pipeline, ensuring alignment and engagement with key stakeholders

  • Providing supportive leadership to a dynamic team, encouraging high-quality outcomes in a positive and inclusive working environment

  • Contributing expert insight on market data to help generate meaningful analysis and informed decision-making

  • Driving the delivery of initiatives that simplify regulatory processes and support sustainable market development

  • Coordinating with colleagues across the FCA to enhance collaboration, reduce duplication, and maximise shared value

  • Encouraging the growth and development of IRP team members through mentoring, feedback, and opportunities to learn

  What will you get from the role?

  • Join a dynamic area of the FCA, where you will support a newly established department responsible for managing a wide range of data

  • Gain a deep understanding of key regulatory market data sets and how they are used to monitor systemic and financial stability risks

  • Work at the forefront of the FCA’s agenda to strengthen wholesale financial markets, contributing to meaningful change

  • Help improve the quality of our data, directly supporting the FCA's statutory objective to ensure that markets work well

  • Be part of a team that makes a direct impact on the effective use and management of large-scale financial data

  • Take on a role that offers unique experience and opportunities to influence the future of market oversight and regulatory practices

  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)

  Minimum

  • Proven experience in driving innovation to generate new insights and business value

  • Demonstrated ability to lead proof of concept initiatives, transforming ideas into tangible outcomes

  • Strong background in academic research, applying findings to optimise industry insights and improve regulatory practices

  Essential

  • Proactive self-starter with a positive, solution-oriented mindset

  • Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively and influence diverse internal and external stakeholders

  • Excellent communication skills, capable of explaining complex technical concepts clearly and succinctly to various audiences

  • Experience working with primary or secondary markets or listings, particularly in wholesale data

  • Skilled in managing competing priorities, solving problems quickly and effectively, and engaging the right stakeholders at key decision points

  • Sound judgment with the ability to make timely, informed decisions and provide actionable recommendations based on data and insights

  • Comfortable collaborating with senior leadership and providing strategic input when needed

  • Adaptable in delivering effective outcomes in a rapidly changing environment, with a focus on prioritising tasks and aligning resources for successful delivery

  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 men, minority ethnic, disabled, and neurodivergent candidates for our Professional Business Support 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 as: Manager Regulatory

  • Advert Closing Date: 06th May 2025

  • CV Review/Shortlist: 08th May 2025

  • First Round Case Study Assessment: 12th May 2025

  • Competency Based Interview: 19th May 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 Steve Christopher on Steve.Christopher@fca.org.uk

  Applications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via email will not be accepted

• About the company

  The Financial Conduct Authority is a financial regulatory body in the United Kingdom, but operates independently of the UK Government, and is financed by charging fees to members of the financial services industry.

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