Regulatory Investigators - Associate Level 8 - #1786262

Division - Enforcement and Market Oversight

Department – Retail & Regulatory Investigations and Wholesale, Unauthorised Business and Investigations

Salary - Regulatory London £47,300 - £62,00, National £43,100 - £56,600

Practicing Legal London £49,700 - £66,500, National £47,200 - £62,000

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.

The FCA’s Enforcement and Market Oversight (EMO) is recruiting permanent and FTC Regulatory Investigators - Level 8 Associate. There are currently vacancies in the Retail and Regulatory Directorate and further vacancies may arise in the Wholesale and Unauthorised Business Directorate.

EMO investigates misconduct in financial services that impacts UK consumers and the financial markets. We bring regulatory, civil and criminal cases against firms and individuals to punish wrongdoers, deter others from wrongdoing and change behaviours. Effective, fair and impactful enforcement is critical to the success of the FCA.

The FCA receives reports from many different sources that indicate potential misconduct, and we are continually presented with challenging and intellectually stimulating cases. Our cases involve critical issues that matter to consumers and market participants and attract large scale media attention. Our work covers a diverse range of issues including fraudulent conduct, systems and control failures, corporate governance failings, market abuse and product mis-selling.

Working in EMO at the FCA is a great career option if you have a strong sense of public duty and are motivated to do the right thing and make a positive difference to the lives of consumers and the UK financial market generally.

Retail and Regulatory Investigations (RRI)

RRI investigates potential misconduct by regulated firms, and individuals working within those firms, involved in retail banking, stockbroking, asset management, mortgage broking and lending, insurance intermediation, financial advice, consumer credit and payment services. We take action against firms that sell unsuitable products or services to consumers, mishandle client money and assets, or have governance and systemic issues. We also investigate financial crime matters including fraud and misconduct related to AML systems and controls.

Wholesale Enforcement Department (WUBI)

The Wholesale department ensures that suspected wrongdoing in the wholesale financial markets is investigated and where serious misconduct by firms and/or individuals is identified they are held to account. Our investigation teams undertake criminal, civil, and regulatory investigations spanning insider dealing, market manipulation, misleading statements by listed companies and systems and controls failings.

Unauthorised Business Department (UBD)

UBD investigates firms that are not authorised by the FCA but are carrying out activities that require authorisation. Unauthorised firms pose a significant risk to consumers – UBD has civil and criminal powers to tackle these firms and protect consumers. UBD cases typically involve high-loss investment/Ponzi type frauds, illegal trading schemes and boiler room operations.

What will you be doing?

Associates are involved at every stage of the investigation process, supporting your team, developing your knowledge and sharing your expertise, which includes;

• Taking on differing degrees of responsibility for a mixture of cases depending on their nature and complexity. This could range from running smaller cases with management oversight, to working as part of a wider team on larger more complex cases
• Progressing a portfolio of investigations, managing your work to meet competing deadlines. Obtaining evidence through the use of appropriate tools and powers and developing the case team’s understanding. Exploring detailed evidence and making recommendations
• Drafting all forms of case documents (which may include witness statements, civil orders, statutory notices, and papers going before the Regulatory Decision Committee) and correspondence with investigation subjects, their legal representatives and witnesses
• Participating in challenging interviews of subjects and witnesses using compulsory powers, on a voluntary basis and under caution
• Preparing for, and presenting cases at, internal case committees when required
• Legally qualified candidates in this role would also be expected to provide legal advice to the case team and where appropriate take responsibility for the preparation of privileged correspondence
  
  

What will you get from the role?

• Exposure to some of the most fascinating, challenging and rewarding investigations in the UK
• A chance to work with colleagues from across EMO and other parts of the FCA
• Satisfying, worthwhile and responsible work with the opportunity to use your skills in complex situations
• Exposure to a range of senior internal and external stakeholders
• Working in a high-energy and stimulating Division, within a supportive environment
  
  

If you are successful, we will set you up for success. Your manager will work with you to help you meet your professional goals. In your first six months you will attend a three-week investigators foundation course which will ensure, if you are new to investigations or have displayed your investigation skill set in a different setting, you can apply your skill set safely in the context of the FCA’s approach to investigations.

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

• Experience of analysing large amounts of information and producing summaries which make conclusions and draw out key findings
• For Lawyer applicants you must hold 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) (or a similar internationally recognised qualification)
  
  

Essential

• Support and progress investigations or projects involving large volumes of information
• Build and maintain strong and effective relationships with colleagues and with key contacts
• Work collaboratively and inclusively with colleagues from different perspectives and backgrounds across a portfolio of projects and workstreams
• Communicate clearly, with experience of making oral and written presentations
  
  

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 Associate 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%
• Life assurance
• 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.