Senior Associate Assistant Private Secretary to the Executive Director of Authorisations

Job Title: Assistant Private Secretary (APS) to either the Executive Director (ED) of Authorisations or the Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Division: Authorisations/Operations

• Salary: National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £52,400 to £ and London from £59,200 to £75,000 per annum (salary offered will be based on skills and experience)

• This role is graded as: Senior Associate – Regulatory

• Your external recruitment contact is Benjamin via [email protected] .

• Your internal recruitment contact is Katie via [email protected]

• Applications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via social media or email will not be accepted.

About the FCA and team

We regulate financial services firms in the UK, to keep financial markets fair, thriving and effective. By joining us, you’ll play a key part in protecting consumers, driving economic growth, and shaping the future of UK finance services.

There are 2 roles available in this recruitment round: one in the Authorisations Division as an APS to the Executive Director of Authorisations, and one in Operations as an APS to the Chief Operating Officer.

Both roles offer the opportunity to act as the second-in-command in the Private Office, reporting to the Private Secretary and working closely with them to ensure the smooth running of the office. You will play a key role in the effective running of the Private Office, ensuring the relevant senior leader is well briefed and supported for meetings, committees and events, and contributing to the smooth coordination and delivery of priorities across the division.

Role 1: Senior Associate Assistant Private Secretary to the Executive Director of Authorisations

You will play a key role in a close-knit, high-performing team supporting the Executive Director of Authorisations and the effective running of the Authorisations ED Office. The role is stretching, fast-paced and varied, offering a unique opportunity to engage with the breadth of work undertaken across the Authorisations Division and the wider FCA. You will also gain exposure to strategic decision-making and senior stakeholders, both inside and outside the organisation.

The Authorisations Division plays a central role in ensuring that firms and individuals seeking to conduct regulated activities meet, and are set up to continue to meet, the FCA’s standards. The division is also delivering an ambitious transformation strategy, focused on digitising the gateway and making better use of data to improve applicant experience, regulatory effectiveness and operational resilience. The ED Office supports the delivery of these priorities by helping to align activity across the division, support effective governance and decision-making, and connect senior leadership with delivery teams. As part of the Authorisations senior leadership environment, you will be expected to contribute proactively to the division’s priorities and help drive continuous improvement in how the office operates.

Role 2: Senior Associate Assistant Private Secretary to the Chief Operating Officer

You will play a key role in a close-knit team supporting the COO and the running of the COO Office. The COO APS has a unique opportunity to engage with the broad breadth of work undertaken by the Operations Division and the wider FCA. You will also gain insight into strategic decision-making and high-level decisions taken by senior leaders in the organisation.

The Chief Operating Officer’s Office plays a central role in enabling the organisation to operate effectively and efficiently. It provides strategic and operational support across key business areas, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities and regulatory obligations. The department oversees core functions such as business planning, risk management, performance reporting, and operational delivery. It acts as a bridge between senior leadership and delivery teams, helping to drive continuous improvement, operational resilience, and organisational effectiveness.

Role responsibilities

• Prepare high-quality briefings for senior-level meetings, and review, question and advise on the development of committee papers

• Support the prioritisation and delivery of the relevant senior leader’s external engagement, including drafting and coordinating briefings and providing on-the-day support at events

• Attend meetings with, and at times on behalf of the Private Secretary, …