Senior Associate in Crypto Technology & Operational Resilience
Background Would you like to play a critical role helping the financial services industry become more operationally resilient? Would you relish the opportunity to work on challenging techn
Background
Would you like to play a critical role helping the financial services industry become more operationally resilient? Would you relish the opportunity to work on challenging technology and cyber resilience related matters across regulated firms within financial services? Do you have a grounding and interest in the future of Cryptoassets and Distribution Ledger Technology?
We are pleased to be offering an exciting opportunity for a talented, self-starting individual to join the Technology, Resilience and Cyber department (TRC). At a time of rapid technology change, growth of Cryptoassets and Distribution Ledger Technology (DLT), new regulations to improve operational resilience, increasing cyber threats and, digital transformations you will have the unique opportunity to influence the FCA’s and industry’s agenda. You’ll have the chance to analyse the risks and opportunities related to Cryptocurrencies and DLT. You will work in the public interest and be focused on increasing the sector’s operational resilience whilst developing the Cryptoasset framework.
You would be joining a department that comprises people with different expertise – whether they are experienced cyber specialists or third-party management experts, their individuality fits right in and they come together to help make a difference to millions of consumers. TRC’s role is to understand firms’ current and planned use of technology, identify and assess potential harm and risk to the market and promote good practice by clarifying our expectations and acting when necessary. The successful candidate will work on technology and cyber resilience and Crypto and DLT related matters across regulated firms within financial services, providing technical expertise and advice to frontline FCA Supervisors and Policy teams. You will work to understand firms’ current and planned use of technology to identify and assess the potential for harm to the market and consumers. You will promote good practice by clarifying our expectations and acting when necessary.
What does this job involve?
- Acting as a SME Operational Resilience and for Cryptoassets / DLT across the department, the FCA, and externally
- Collaborate and engage effectively with key internal and other regulatory stakeholders on crypto matters
- Identifying resilience and cyber risks within the existing crypto eco system where further analysis or development should be considered
- Ensuring delivery of firm assessments for prioritised high impact firms to provide supervisors with a forward-looking evidence and judgement-based assessment, supported by the facts, on whether a firm’s technology, resilience and/or cyber capabilities are sufficient or require further mitigating actions
- Be able to gather the necessary intelligence and data to inform our understanding of the risks and the opportunities
- To create and maintain dashboards with agreed metrics
- Independently identify new opportunities to use data analysis and data visualisation to support Crypto / DLT projects and priorities
- Ensuring delivery of firm reviews and assessments to provide stakeholders with a forward-looking evidence and judgement-based assessment, supported by the facts, on whether a firm’s Crypto / DLT technology, resilience and/or cyber capabilities are sufficient or require further mitigating actions
- Providing strategic analysis of incidents arising from cyber-attack or technology disruptions
- Conducting thematic work, owning delivery of key items and delivering through others
- Taking part in technical engagement with external stakeholders including other Authorities and Senior firm representatives
- Providing thought leadership in emerging and ongoing cyber and technology areas of specialism relating to Crypto / DLT; and
- Playing a key part in building the capability of others through coaching and feedback.
What will you get from the role?
This role will offer a unique insight into cyber, technology and operational resilience risks in the Financial Services sector. With the opportunity to:
- Work on high profile regulatory initiatives
- Develop a deep understanding of the Crypto markets / DLT and how it functions
- Help develop thinking on how resiliency of the UK’s Crypto markets should look and function in the long term
- Work across a number of firms on cross-sector issues
- Gain insight into current thinking on cyber, technology and operational resilience matters for Crypto and non-Crypto related firms
- The opportunity to engage with the challenges of managing different and often innovative business and operational models for firms operating in the Cryptoasset / DLT market
- Challenging others constructively on sensitive issues around suitability and delivering difficult messages
- Build upon your existing skills and knowledge and develop your career
- Work with and influence a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and in doing so, build your network of contacts
- engage with senior management across the FCA
As an Academy business, we place great value on your learning, and we offer world-class development opportunities which will assist you in achieving your career aspirations. Our Academy offers you a range of opportunities for personal and professional development, including our MSC in financial regulation, Future Managers programme, sponsored study and more.
About You
Minimum
**
Any disabled applicant meeting the minimum criteria will automatically progress to interview stage, should they enter under the
Any disabled applicant meeting the minimum criteria will automatically progress to interview stage, should they enter under the
Disability Confident scheme
. For more information on the FCA’s commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workforce, including guidance on drafting criteria, please refer to the
FCA’s Positive Action Framework.
**
- Experience analysing complex information and identifying and presenting recommendations in relation to technology and/or cyber resilience capabilities and Crypto / DLT.
Essential
- Understanding of FCA’s approach to operational resilience, including an appreciation for the FCA’s new operational resilience policy
- Exposure to and understanding of leading practice technology and cyber standards and guidance.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills
- Can demonstrate taking pride in work and ensuring it is of the highest standard.
- Good interpersonal skills with evidence of team working, and delivery through others
- Knowledge of cryptoasset business models, blockchain and the regulatory challenges they pose
- A proven ability to work effectively and flexibly with others as part of a team to achieve desired outcomes.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with appropriate application of judgement and diligence
- Experience of assessing risks arising in complex business models
- Confidence and credibility to interact effectively with a range of stakeholders
- Relevant industry qualifications e.g., CRISC, CISM, CISSP, IS027001 / 2, Lead Auditor / Implementer, or alternatives
Desirable
- Experience of applying regulatory approach to Operational Resilience, Technology and/or Cyber risks.
- Understanding of the Cryptoassets sector, differing business models and available data sources
- Experience of blockchain analytics
- Experience assimilating and analysing firms’ and financial sectors’ financial, and business model information
- Knowledge or experience of Financial Services markets
Additional Information
- These roles are graded as Senior Associate – Regulatory
- These are permanent positions
- This role can be based in London, Edinburgh or Leeds
- The salary range for London is approximately £50,000 – £65,000 depending on the successful candidate’s skills and qualifications, plus a competitive benefits package and non-contributory pension.
- The salary range for Edinburgh is approximately £47,000 – £58,500 depending on the successful candidate’s skills and qualifications, plus a competitive benefits package and non-contributory pension.
- The salary range for Leeds is approximately £47,000 – £58,500 depending on the successful candidate’s skills and qualifications, plus a competitive benefits package and non-contributory pension.
- Applications for this role close on 24th March 2023
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has recently set out a new employment offer designed to reward strong, consistent performance, aid career development and close pay gaps.
This follows an extensive, wide-ranging and comprehensive consultation with all FCA colleagues and the FCA’s Staff Consultative Committee. The changes, including updates to the proposals consulted upon, will mean that the FCA continues to provide one of the best reward packages of any regulator or enforcement agency in the UK.
If you have any questions please speak to your recruiter or visit the FCA
website
(or
intranet
for internal colleagues)
Please note – Applications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via email will not be accepted.