Head of Innovation

Requirements of the role

We are seeking a Head of Innovation to join the FCA’s senior leadership team and lead the FCA’s efforts in advancing FinTech innovation, fostering competition, and ensuring consumer protection in the UK financial services sector. As Head of Innovation, reporting into the Director of Intelligence and Digital, you will take full strategic responsibility for the Innovation Department, setting the direction for the team and embedding innovation-focused processes and services that promote beneficial and responsible innovation in Financial Services.

You’ll use your excellent communication and engagement skills to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders from across the financial services and regulatory sectors, and also chair the Global Financial Innovation Network with over 80 regulators as members. You’ll use these relationships to help the FCA understand current and future developments in FinTech, and in turn understand how these will impact the sector and whether future policy changes are needed.

This is an incredibly unique and exciting role, offering an unrivalled opportunity to impact and shape the future of financial regulation in the UK and internationally. Our Innovation Department is genuinely world-leading, with many of our products and services adopted by regulators across the world. The next Head of Innovation will build on this legacy, keep the FCA at the forefront of regulatory innovation, and play a lead role in our pro-growth and innovation ambitions.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategies that promote a pro-innovation mindset within the FCA.
• Provide inspirational leadership, promoting sound judgment aligned with the FCA’s objectives.
• Lead the recruitment, development, and management of a high-performing team, ensuring alignment to the FCA capability framework.
• Quality assure departmental work, offering feedback and coaching for continuous improvement.
• Oversee the effective, economic, and efficient operation of Innovation Department.
• Set the strategic direction for the Innovation Department, embedding innovation-focused processes and services that promote beneficial and responsible innovation in Financial Services.
• Influence and contribute to the wider FCA organisation’s understanding of innovation trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Represent the Innovation Department and the FCA in key decision-making committees and forums, both nationally and internationally.
• Listen to and influence key public and private sector stakeholders on financial innovation matters.
• Collaborate with the Innovation Senior Leadership Team and the Director of Innovation.
• Build and maintain credible relationships across the FCA and with external stakeholders.

What You Will Gain

Join the FCA’s senior leadership team during an exciting period of regulatory change.

Lead a department of talented and committed individuals, working on significant projects and programs.

Gain exposure to a wide range of issues and contribute to shaping the FCA’s strategy.

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