Senior Capital Markets Policy Associate
Department - Capital Markets
Division - Infrastructure & Exchanges
Salary - National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £52,400 to £68,000 and London £57,700 to £75,000 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.
We are looking for a suitable candidate to join the Capital Markets Department within the Supervision, Policy and Collaboration Division at the FCA. The department focuses on supervision and policy relating to key aspects of wholesale financial markets, including primary markets, credit ratings and benchmark providers, trading conduct and transparency, and wholesale Crypto asset markets. The team plays an essential role in delivering the FCA’s 3-year strategic priority to nurture our wholesale markets and ensure the UK continues to be regarded as one of the most trusted global markets of choice for issuers, intermediaries, and investors, in comparison to other high-quality markets.
The Primary Markets Policy team is responsible for the FCA’s Listing Rules and disclosure obligations for companies seeking admission to UK regulated markets, as well as ongoing transparency requirements. The team also holds policy responsibility for other forms of capital-raising activity, such as crowdfunding.
In addition, the team supports sustainability-related financial disclosures by listed companies — for example, the FCA’s rules requiring companies to report annually in line with the Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework.
What will you be doing?
* Shape and influence policy proposals that will drive significant changes to the UK’s capital markets framework, including regulation of admissions to the Official List, IPOs, follow-on issuances, debt issuance, and disclosure requirements
* Contribute to strategic reforms such as the FCA’s Primary Markets Effectiveness Review, implementation of the Government’s Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations, and future updates on sustainability-related disclosures
* Conduct thorough assessment of current market practices and regulations to identify areas for improvement, mitigate potential harm, and develop evidence-based policy recommendations through market feedback and cost-benefit analysis
* Monitor the evolution of primary markets, assess risks and opportunities, and support the FCA’s long-term vision for enhanced market outcomes in the UK
* Draft high-quality policy documents including discussion and consultation papers, policy statements, and internal briefings to support governance and decision-making processes
* Represent the team in a professional and constructive manner with both internal and external stakeholders, acting as a key liaison and promoting collaboration to resolve challenges and achieve policy outcomes
What you will get from the role
* A rewarding opportunity to contribute meaningfully at the core of policy and wholesale markets within the FCA, in an area currently undergoing impactful reform
* A supportive and adaptable work environment that encourages careful analysis and clear communication—ideal for those who enjoy learning, sharing insights, and deepening their understanding of primary markets regulation
* The chance to collaborate with and positively influence a diverse community of regulatory and industry professionals, both within the FCA and across the wider sector
* Valuable opportunities to connect with senior leaders and executive committees at the FCA, supporting your growth and visibility through meaningful policy work
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
* Prior experience of working in a regulatory/public policy or advocacy role, related to financial markets, or roles involving an application of financial services regulation to financial market activities
* Prior experience in leading discrete workstreams or projects with appropriate management support
Essential
* Ability to navigate complex issues and evidence to shape thoughtful, well-grounded policy recommendations
* Strong organisational skills with a flexible and responsive approach to shifting priorities
* Collaborative mindset, open to creative thinking and new perspectives on emerging regulatory topics
* Clear and inclusive written and oral communication skills
* Skilled at simplifying complex topics into clear, accessible messages
* Confident in preparing reports and sharing recommendations with diverse audiences
* Experience building trusted relationships and influencing with empathy and respect
* Foundational understanding of financial markets and their dynamics
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.
Benefits of working at the FCA
* 25 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
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: Senior Associate – Regulatory
* Advert Closing Date: Wednesday 25th June 2025 (Midnight)
* CV Review/Shortlist: 27th June 2025
* Case Study Assessment: 2nd July – 4th July 2025
* 2nd Stage Interview: w/c 7th July 2025
When submitting your application, please tailor your CV to highlight how you meet the minimum and essential requirements above
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.
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