Overview

Operations Manager – Division: Supervision, Policy and Competition (SPC); Directorate: Controls, Capabilities and Frameworks (CCF).

Salary: National (Edinburgh and Leeds) £57,200–£81,066; London £62,900–£89,033 (salary offered based on skills and experience).

The FCA regulates the conduct of 45,000 firms in the UK to ensure our financial markets are honest, fair and competitive. The CCF Directorate drives and supports operational excellence within SPC, the FCA’s largest front-line Division. We act as the single point of contact for central FCA functions and work across SPC’s 12 Directorates, and more than 1500 colleagues, to deliver consistent, compliant and efficient ways of working.

You will lead the Operations Team in CCF central to how the SPC Division operates and delivers. This role drives operational excellence, sets the rhythm for delivery and supports the FCA’s goal of becoming a smarter regulator. You will also serve as a key connector across the FCA, aligning efforts with Operations and Change to streamline ways of working.

Responsibilities

• Managing and optimising the SPC governance framework and forums to support effective strategic decision-making and oversight of secretariat functions
• Leading core operational processes for SPC including people operations, business continuity planning and records management
• Supporting SPC business planning by collaborating with central teams, projects and SPC Directors to deliver the annual cycle and produce Director Delegation letters
• Building strong working relationships with the Change Directorate and Director EAs to embed divisional projects and promote CCF’s service offering through key communication channels
• Acting as a conduit between SPC and central teams by managing stakeholder relationships across Operations, Change, Technology and other partners
• Leading and developing a team of associates while contributing to CCF management team priorities and supporting directorate-wide initiatives alongside the Director and Head of Department

Benefits

• 28 days holiday per year plus bank holidays
• Hybrid working (up to 60% home)
• Private healthcare with Bupa
• Non-contributory Pension of at least 8%
• Life assurance
• Income protection

We also have a competitive flexible benefits scheme which allows you to tailor a package to your lifestyle. Follow this link to see what life is like at the FCA – Life at the FCA.

What you will get from the role

• Opportunity to contribute to senior management and leadership across SPC
• Dynamic, fast-paced environment with varied workload
• Broad networking across the FCA, including Executive Directors and the Senior Leadership Team
• Insight into the workings of the FCA and the role of CCF in delivering objectives
• Commitment to personal and career development while enhancing operational skills and experience

Skills and qualifications

Disability Confident Employer statement: We are committed to accessibility in recruitment. Disabled people or those with long-term conditions who meet minimum criteria will progress to the next stage. (Learn more about the Disability Confident Scheme)

Minimum

• Experience of leading cross-functional teams and managing operational workflows
• Experience communicating with internal and external stakeholders, including drafting reports, presenting updates and facilitating meetings
• Experience building and sustaining senior-level relationships to support partnerships

Essential

• Strong understanding of governance frameworks and secretariat functions to support strategic decision-making
• Proficiency in managing a broad range of operational processes across diverse business areas
• Ability to lead a busy, multi-functional team and deliver high-quality outcomes
• Ability to align operational strategies with organisational goals through planning and adaptability
• Sound judgement and timely decision-making in high-pressure environments
• Risk identification and mitigation within operational processes to ensure continuity and compliance
• Contribution to change management and embedding new ways of working across teams

Our values and diversity

We are an inclusive employer, aiming to cultivate a culture that respects individual strengths, views and experiences. We support diversity through employee resource groups to promote work/life balance and diversity ambitions. We welcome applications from women, minority ethnic groups, disabled and neurodivergent candidates.