Jobs, fresher vacancy - Senior Capital Markets Policy Associate • UK

Company: The Financial Conduct Authority

UK

Division – Infrastructure & ExchangesDepartment – Capital MarketsSalary National £51,200 - £64,000 and London £56,400 - £70,400 per annum – Salary offered will be based on skills and experienceAbout the FCAThe 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 FCAWe are looking for someone to join the capital markets department within the supervision, policy and competition 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 Cryptoasset markets. We have a key role in delivering the FCA’s 3-year strategic priority to strengthen our wholesale markets and ensure that the UK continues to be regarded as one of the leading global markets of choice for issuers, intermediaries and investors, when compared 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 has policy responsibility for other forms of capital raising activity, such as crowdfunding.The team also leads on sustainability-related financial disclosures by listed companies, for example our rules requiring companies to report annually based on the Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework.What will you be doingThis role provides an opportunity to influence and develop policy proposals to deliver significant changes to the UK’s capital markets framework. This includes developing policy on how we regulate companies seeking to admit securities to the Official List and admission to regulated markets; relevant transactions such as initial public offerings (IPOs), follow-on capital raising and debt issuance; documentary (prospectus) disclosure requirements; and ongoing issuer disclosure obligations. These areas are currently subject to several high-profile, strategic reviews. This includes FCA’s Primary Markets Effectiveness review work, which has recently delivered significant reforms to the UK Listing Rules following Lord Hill’s Listing Review in 2021. We are also consulting on significant changes to implement the Government’s new Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations, which will replace the UK Prospectus Regulation. Further work into next year will include changes to our rules on sustainability-related reporting by listed companies. We engage regularly with stakeholders across government and other agencies, FCA statutory Panels and wider market participants to shape and deliver regulatory reform in these areas.The successful candidate will be able to:Understand and review existing market practice and regulation, identify areas of potential harm or scope for improving market effectiveness, and propose policy recommendations based on market feedback, evidence and cost-benefit-analysisConsider how primary markets are evolving, identify risks or opportunities, and contribute towards our vision for improving long-term outcomes for UK marketsProduce high quality written policy papers, including discussion and consultation papers, policy statements and internal governance and briefing papersWork with and influence internal and external stakeholders to deliver policy outcomes in line with FCA objectivesParticipate in a constructive working relationship with other authorities in the official sector (UK and international) and industry stakeholders to understand and resolve challenges Represent the team in a professional manner with internal and external stakeholders, providing an effective and constructive liaison point within the department, across the FCA and externally on areas of policy expertiseWhat will you get from the role?An exciting opportunity to work at the heart of policy and wholesale markets in the FCA in an area that is subject to a high-profile reform agendaThe role offers exposure to a fast-paced, flexible environment which is well suited to those with strong analytical thinking and communication skills who wish to apply or develop knowledge of primary markets regulationYou will have the opportunity to work with and influence a wide range of regulatory and industry professionals, both internally and externally to the FCAYou will gain exposure to senior management and executive committees within the FCA as part of your policy workWhich 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 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 activitiesExperience of leading discrete workstreams or projects with appropriate management support EssentialThe ability to assess and review complex issues, evidence and data in order to make sound policy judgements or recommendationsGood self-management skills to plan and drive forward work to meet deadlines, while also having the flexibility to change priorities when requiredA collaborative approach and ability to think creatively about new regulatory issuesStrong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to:Distil complex issues into succinct messages; andDraft reports and present recommendations confidently to a variety of internal and external stakeholdersExperience of stakeholder management and influencing others effectivelyUnderstanding of financial marketsOur Values & DiversityWe 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 women, minority ethnic, disabled, and neurodivergent candidates for our senior associate role.Benefits of working at the FCA25 days holiday per year plus bank holidaysHybrid working (work from home up to 60% of your time)Private healthcare with Bupa A non-contributory Pension of at least 8%Life assuranceIncome protectionWe 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 FCAApplication SupportWe 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 TimelineThis role is graded as: Senior Associate - RegulatoryAdvert Closing Date: 22nd JanuaryFirst Round Case Study: W/C 27th JanuaryCompetency Based Interview: W/C 3rd FebruaryYour 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: For external applicants, please contact Aaron Ward at Aaron.ward@fca.org.ukFor internal applicants, please contact Lucy Matthews at Lucy.matthews@fca.org.ukApplications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via email will not be accepted.