Head of Data

Description

The FCA regulates the conduct of 45,000 firms in the UK to ensure our financial markets are honest, fair and competitive. 

We are now recruiting an exciting role, Head of Data, to support our ambition be a data-led regulator of the future. Having embarked on our digital transformation in 2020, this role will build on a strong data foundation, and bring our data strategy to the next level, helping the FCA to harness data effectively leading to better regulatory decisions and outcomes across the financial services sector.

With a broad and evolving remit, the FCA’s goal is to be a world leader in data-driven financial regulation, leveraging technology and data to provide improved firm data collection services alongside a wide range of data sources to deliver business intelligence.

Our ambitious data and technology programmes are designed to enhance our ability to regulate UK financial services firms, detect misconduct, and drive better market outcomes. As Head of Data, reporting to the Director of Intelligence and Digital, you will play a pivotal role in leading and maximising the FCA’s use of economic, firm, and market data. You will be accountable for delivering high-profile, complex, and strategically significant initiatives that have data at their core—spanning technology, policy, regulatory transformation, and enterprise data capabilities.

This role sits within the Data, Technology, and Innovation Division led by Jessica Rusu the Chief Data, Information and Intelligence Officer, and resides in the Intelligence and Digital Directorate, a specialised team combining Innovation, Data, Digital, Intelligence, and Advanced Analytics to deliver a fast-moving, agile, and high-impact environment at the forefront of shaping the FCA’s regulatory future. You will work partner across the DTI division Technology and Product Development teams, and across the FCA, as well as externally with regulated firms, academia, government, and technology leaders to drive our data-led regulatory vision.

As Head of Department, you will have a unique opportunity to:

• Shape the FCA in our data-led practices and priorities, ensuring that data is at the heart of regulatory decision-making
• Lead and inspire a diverse and talented team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence
• Work with cutting edge technology, in a cloud environment, leveraging AI and a suite of digital tools
• Develop innovative, impactful solutions that enhance the way we regulate financial services
• Influence strategic priorities, embedding data-driven approaches across the FCA and shaping the future of financial regulation
• Be a thought leader in data, with visible public speaking engagements to support the FCA's Strategy

This is a high-impact leadership role - ideal for an experienced data-driven leader who thrives on tackling complex challenges, driving innovation, and making a tangible impact on the future of financial regulation.

About You

We are looking for a strategic and agile leader with a deep understanding of how data can drive regulatory outcomes. The ideal candidate will have:

• Proven leadership experience in a data, analytics, ideally within financial services
• Strong regulatory knowledge and the ability to translate complex data insights into actionable regulatory decisions.
• A track record of building and leading high-performing teams.
• Deep expertise in data management, analytics, and governance.
• Excellent stakeholder management and the ability to work cross-functionally to deliver complex projects
• Comfort with public speaking, high-impact communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence senior leaders
• A passion for innovation and continuous improvement in the use of data

For further information, please refer to the job specification for a full set of minimum, essential and desirable criteria. The full job specification can be found via the ‘Continue to full detail and apply’ tab below.

Please note the Closing date is Monday 21st April at 23:55

To view the job description and person specification, please scroll to the bottom of the page, tick to agree to the privacy policy, then click 'Continue to full details'.

Further info

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 Toria.Lorman-Connolly@gatenbysanderson and they will be happy to discuss this further with you to make any necessary arrangements where possible. 

Benefits

Our competitive benefits scheme gives you the opportunity to create a personalised benefits package, tailored to suit your lifecycle. You can this this allowance to purchase additional benefits such as dental or cycle to work, or you have the option to top up your base salary by taking this as cash. 

Core benefits that you will receive as standard are: 

• 30 days holiday per year plus bank holidays  
• Private healthcare with Bupa 
• A non-contributory Pension of at least 8% of basic salary each month (there are several contribution levels that increase depending on your age- up to 12% a month once you reach age 35) 
• Life assurance of eight times your basic salary 
• Income protection