📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Internal Communications Lead
🔹 Company: Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
🔹 Location: London, Leeds, or Edinburgh
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid (up to 60% remote)
🔹 Category: Financial Services, Regulation
🔹 Date Posted: May 1, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (2 days on-site per week)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Guiding the Internal Communications team to implement the internal communications strategy.
- Overseeing high-profile projects, such as employee engagement, large change programs, and the FCA's strategy.
- Providing strategic advice and support to senior management and stakeholders.
- Managing and developing team members, setting objectives, and assessing performance.
- Working collaboratively with Communications Business Partners and other teams to deliver effective communications.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, excellent communication skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. Experience in internal communications, change management, and stakeholder engagement is essential.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead the Internal Communications team to deliver a range of engaging communications that inform and inspire colleagues.
✅ Oversee the strategy and implementation of specific high-profile projects, working closely with the Communications Business Partner.
✅ Plan, deliver, and respond to high-risk and complex internal communications issues.
✅ Represent internal communications on project boards and review relevant committee papers.
✅ Guide the strategy for content and channels, expanding and improving on current operations.
✅ Provide expert advice and guidance to colleagues across the FCA who want to deliver important messages to stakeholders throughout the organization.
ASSUMPTION: This role involves managing multiple projects and priorities, requiring strong organizational skills, adaptability, and the ability to work effectively under pressure.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Communications, Marketing, or a related discipline).
Experience: Significant experience (5-10 years) in creating and delivering internal communications strategies, including working on successful multi-channel communications or change programs.
Required Skills:
- Proven experience providing strategic internal communications advice to senior management.
- Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and compellingly, both verbally and in writing, for diverse audiences.
- Strong planning and organizational skills, with experience working in a high-pressure environment and managing multiple project workstreams.
- Ability to build strong working relationships, persuade, and influence stakeholders, gaining credibility and respect from all areas of the organization.
- Ability to work as part of a team and exercise independent judgment and initiative.
- Ability to balance, prioritize, and manage competing demands.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working in a regulatory or financial services environment.
- Fluency in additional languages (desirable).
ASSUMPTION: The FCA values diversity and encourages applications from women, minority ethnic, disabled, and neurodivergent candidates for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £49,600 - £70,000 per annum (depending on location and experience)
Benefits:
- 25 days holiday per year plus bank holidays
- Hybrid working (work from home up to 60% of the time)
- Private healthcare with Bupa
- Non-contributory Pension of at least 8% of basic salary each month
- Life assurance of eight times your basic salary
- Income protection
- Flexible benefits scheme
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week, with flexible working arrangements available.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in the financial services sector. The final offer will depend on the candidate's skills and experience.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Financial Services, Regulation
Company Size: Large (1,001-5,000 employees)
Founded: 2013 (as the successor to the Financial Services Authority)
Company Description:
- The FCA is the conduct regulator for 50,000 financial services firms and 200,000 appointed representatives.
- It aims to make financial markets work well for consumers, protecting and enhancing the integrity of the UK financial system.
- The FCA's mission is to ensure that financial markets are honest, fair, and effective so that consumers get a fair deal.
Company Specialties:
- Financial services regulation
- Consumer protection
- Market confidence
- Financial stability
- Reduction of financial crime
Company Website: www.fca.org.uk
ASSUMPTION: The FCA is a large, complex organization with a significant impact on the UK financial services sector. This role offers the opportunity to work at the heart of the organization, influencing and driving active engagement with the FCA's mission.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Lead Associate – Corporate
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Manager of the Internal Communications team.
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (up to 60% remote work, with 2 days on-site per week).
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to more senior roles within the Communications department or the wider FCA.
- Expanding skills and expertise in internal communications, change management, and stakeholder engagement.
- Gaining experience working on high-profile, large-scale projects and initiatives.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience working on high-profile projects and initiatives, with the potential for career progression within the FCA.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative workspaces in London, Leeds, or Edinburgh.
Office Location(s): 12 Endeavour Square, Stratford, London; 1st Floor, Quayside House, 127 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh.
Geographic Context:
- The FCA's London headquarters is located in the Olympic Park area of Stratford, with excellent transport links.
- The Edinburgh office is situated in the vibrant Fountainbridge area, close to the city center and major transport hubs.
- Leeds office location is not specified but is likely to be in a central business district.
Work Schedule: Standard working hours are 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with flexible working arrangements available.
ASSUMPTION: The FCA's offices are modern, collaborative workspaces designed to foster productivity and innovation. The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission through the FCA's careers portal.
- CV review and shortlisting (w/c 19th May).
- First-round competency-based interview (w/c 26th May).
- Final-round interview and assessment center (if applicable).
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills and ability to engage diverse audiences.
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
- Project management and organizational skills.
- Stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
- Cultural fit and alignment with the FCA's values and mission.
Application Tips:
- Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role.
- Demonstrate your understanding of the FCA's mission and the role's requirements.
- Prepare for competency-based interview questions by reflecting on your past experiences and achievements.
- Show enthusiasm for the role and the FCA's mission during the interview process.
ATS Keywords: Internal Communications, Strategic Advice, Project Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Content Strategy, Change Management, Team Leadership, Organizational Skills, Communication Skills, Relationship Building, Planning, Multi-Channel Communications, High-Pressure Environment, Judgment, Initiative, Prioritization
ASSUMPTION: The FCA uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage job applications. Including relevant keywords in your CV and cover letter can help your application stand out and increase the likelihood of being shortlisted.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, or Microsoft Project)
- Communication and collaboration platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack, or Google Workspace)
- Design and content creation tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or Google Slides)
ASSUMPTION: The FCA uses a range of tools and technologies to support its internal communications and project management processes. Familiarity with these tools is desirable but not always required.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity: We act with honesty, fairness, and transparency in all our actions.
- Respect: We value and respect the diversity of our people and the communities we serve.
- Proportionality: We use our resources effectively and proportionately to achieve our objectives.
- Accountability: We take responsibility for our actions and their impact.
Work Style:
- Collaborative: We work together to achieve our goals and support each other's success.
- Agile: We adapt to change and embrace new ways of working.
- Inclusive: We foster an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued and respected.
- Customer-focused: We put the needs of our customers at the heart of everything we do.
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with the FCA's values, particularly 'Integrity' and 'Respect'?
- How comfortable are you working in a hybrid environment, balancing remote work and on-site collaboration?
- How do you prioritize and manage competing demands in a high-pressure environment?
ASSUMPTION: The FCA values diversity and inclusion, fostering a culture where everyone feels valued and respected. Candidates should be able to demonstrate their alignment with the FCA's values and work style.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role involves managing multiple projects and priorities, which can be challenging and demanding at times.
- The FCA is a large, complex organization with a wide range of stakeholders, requiring strong communication and engagement skills.
- The role may involve working on high-profile, sensitive issues, requiring discretion and confidentiality.
- The hybrid work arrangement may present challenges for some candidates, requiring effective self-management and time management skills.
ASSUMPTION: The FCA offers support and resources to help employees overcome challenges and achieve their full potential in the role.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to related roles in external communications or public relations, this role focuses more on internal stakeholder engagement and change management.
- In the financial services sector, internal communications roles may vary in their focus on regulatory compliance, risk management, or customer engagement.
- Career progression in internal communications may lead to roles in strategic communications, change management, or organizational development.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience working on high-profile projects and initiatives, with the potential for career progression within the FCA.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive internal communications strategy for a large-scale change program.
- Managing stakeholder engagement and communications for a high-profile regulatory initiative.
- Creating and delivering targeted communications campaigns to improve employee engagement and satisfaction.
ASSUMPTION: The FCA works on a wide range of projects and initiatives, offering opportunities for candidates to gain experience in various aspects of internal communications and change management.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the broader internal communications strategy and the FCA's mission?
- What are the key priorities for the Internal Communications team in the first 3-6 months?
- How does the FCA support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare for them?
- How does the FCA foster a culture of collaboration and innovation within its teams?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and the FCA's mission. It also provides an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the organization and the team dynamics.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the FCA's online portal by May 15, 2025.
- Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role.
- Prepare for competency-based interview questions by reflecting on your past experiences and achievements.
- Follow up with your recruiter, Vivien Durgo, if you have any questions about the application process or timeline.
- If invited to the final-round interview, be prepared to discuss your suitability for the role and the FCA's mission.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
