The Role

We are looking for an inspirational Head of Department to lead the Litigation & Legal Review Team in the FCA’s Legal Division. Reporting to the Director of Enforcement Legal, you will lead a group of around 35 lawyers who are responsible for the independent legal review and the conduct of litigation of all non-criminal cases arising from the FCA’s Enforcement function as well as conduct of contested Authorisations cases. This role gives a unique ability to be at the forefront of the FCA’s Enforcement litigation.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the department which provides legal review of all regulatory Enforcement cases, provides advice to decision-makers as to legal risk and ensures that the best case is put forward on the available evidence

• Responsible for ensuring the quality of advice across the department and that the conduct of regulatory and civil Enforcement litigation is conducted efficiently and effectively, in accordance with the FCA’s objectives, priorities and policies

• Lead the department which provides advice, support and advocacy to the Authorisations division on approval, authorisation and change of control cases – from Executive Decision making up to and including Upper Tribunal hearings.

• Be a visible and collaborative representative of the Legal Division and Legal Profession, working across the organisation to champion the role of the Legal Division and supporting continuous improvement and operational excellence of legal services.

• Developing and delivering a long-term strategy for the department, aligning to 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 department that attracts and develops diverse talent

What will the candidate get from the role?

• An opportunity to lead a team whose complex and challenging case work has a high impact and profile both internally and externally at the forefront of the FCA's work.

• Joining the Senior Leadership Team at the FCA during an exciting and challenging time of great change in financial services and its regulation

• Exposure to strategic issues and key players in the world of finance, both nationally and internationally

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

• A qualified solicitor or barrister with a valid practising certificate issued by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for England and Wales (if a solicitor), or the General Council of the Bar for England and Wales (if a barrister). We would generally expect you to have significant relevant PQE/post-pupillage experience.

• Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to motivate and lead a sizeable team to deliver on key priorities

• Significant experience in the conduct of financial services regulatory litigation.

Essential

• The ability to provide high quality legal advice, tailored to the circumstances, in a complex context

• The ability to adapt to change and respond quickly to a changing environment

• The ability to build strong relationships at peer level and operate as part of an effective senior leadership team

• 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

Desirable

• Experience of conducting proceedings in the RDC and Upper Tribunal

About the FCA

At the FCA, we’re creating a fair and more resilient financial system. We’re establishing more transparent relationships between financial services and customers, building trust in financial markets and protecting vulnerable consumers.

We’re currently on an exciting journey as we drive forward significant organisational, people, process, and technology transformation to become a more forward-thinking, proactive regulator. We will use data more effectively to drive better regulatory decisions and build greater cohesion across our broad financial services remit.

Significant improvements in digital enablement, business intelligence, market data and information management maturity are all being pursued to maintain our position as a world leader in financial services regulation.

The FCA’s Values & Diversity

Our ambition is to create a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the society we serve, helping us to be a better regulator. We serve the public and our decisions directly affect the wellbeing of people, businesses and the UK economy. So, our values matter. They represent the culture we aspire to every day, guiding our judgements, building trust and helping us to be ‘At our best’.

We particularly welcome applications from women, disabled, and minority ethnic candidates, as under-represented groups.

As an inclusive employer, we are open to considering flexible working arrangements, including job shares. Please inform your recruiter if you wish to apply for this role on a flexible basis.

Useful information

• The closing date for this role is 23.55 on Wednesday 27 September

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

• This role can be based in any of our office locations- London, Leeds, or Edinburgh

• The salary range for this role is between £140,000 to £185,000 + benefits and up to 12% non-contributory pension

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

• We operate a hybrid working policy with an expectation all colleagues are in the office a minimum of 40% of their time. We expect senior leaders to spend a minimum of 50% of their working time each month in the office.

For more information about this role please contact Roy Bingcang – Executive Resourcing & Talent on roy.bingcang@fca.org.uk

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.