Recognised Investment Exchange Lead Associate

We are recruiting for a talented Lead Associate supervisor in the Market Infrastructure Trading Venues Department. This role is being advertised on a permanent basis.

The Market Infrastructure Trading Venues Department supervises key elements of the UK financial markets ecosystem including market infrastructure providers such as Recognised Investment Exchanges (RIEs), Recognised Overseas Investment Exchanges (ROIEs), Multilateral Trading Facilities (MTFs) and Organised Trading Facilities (OTFs) - collectively referred to as Trading Venues. Through our work we aim to advance market integrity, investor protection and effective competition in the interests of consumers.

What are the key responsibilities?

As a Lead Associate of Recognised Investment Exchange you will:

• You will lead our core supervision effort and directly supervise a Recognised Investment Exchange - you will need to foster excellent working relationships with them at senior levels, demonstrate clear insight of current and emerging risks stemming from their business model and understand firm specific issues and the markets they operate within
• Have task management responsibility for one or two other supervisors to help design, develop and deliver our supervision strategy for a Recognised Investment Exchange.
• Ensure our supervision strategy is forward looking and places appropriate emphasis on the business model, culture and governance of the firm in alignment with FCA objectives
• You will deal with complex firm specific issues and cases and be expected to work independently taking the lead in making informed supervisory judgements and recommendations by applying your regulatory knowledge and experience
• You will be expected to provide support and guidance to team members and have task management responsibility to help supervisors develop a consistent FCA response to issues identified across the Trading Venues portfolios.
• Your work will often involve liaising closely with external stakeholders such as EU and UK regulators as well as internal stakeholders e.g. supervisors of other relevant portfolios, specialist areas including teams who monitor for market abuse, assess financial and operational resilience, and supervise financial crime risks. You will also work regularly with colleagues across Enforcement, Markets Policy, International and Legal divisions.
• You will work with Policy colleagues to help develop the framework of rules and powers within which Trading Venues operate, such that our regulatory toolkit offers effective support to our supervision
• You will need to draft high-quality written communications to deliver key messages internally to stakeholders, as well as externally to firms as needed

Minimum

• Proven experience of the operation and business models of Trading Venues and the regulatory framework within which they operate, gained either through working for a venue or other relevant wholesale markets experience
• Experience in leading or task/project managing others

Essential

• Sound analysis and judgement - an ability to make clear and timely decisions and recommendations based on appropriate stakeholder input and use of data and intelligence, escalating where necessary
• A strategic and outcomes-focused approach - an ability to identify current and emerging risks and formulate effective and practical solutions that lead to desired outcomes
• Excellent written communication skills with the ability to deliver a wider range of documents to a high standard and explain complex issues succinctly
• The ability to engage confidently and effectively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, and the gravitas to influence at senior levels.
• Ability to challenge others' views constructively while maintaining good relations.
• Organisational ability - the capability to manage a variety of competing tasks and issues by prioritising effectively.
• The ability to work collaboratively within a team, supporting more junior colleagues. Previous team member coaching or team leadership experience
• The ability to work collaboratively within a team, supporting more junior colleagues. Previous team member coaching or team leadership experience

Desirable

• Knowledge of EU financial services legislation and its impact on wholesale markets and the competitive landscape for wholesale services.
• Knowledge of one or more of equity, derivative or commodity markets.
• An understanding of the UK's perimeter and regulatory framework for overseas access by international firms