Personal Assistant

Personal Assistants to the Head of Departments of the Banking & Insurance and Consumer Investments & Appointed Representatives (CIARA) teams.

The Role

We are looking for two experienced PAs to work with the Head of Departments of our newly formed Banking & Insurance (B&I) department and the Consumer Investments & Appointed Representatives (CIARA) department in Authorisations.

The PAs will also provide administrative support to the wider department. This is an exciting opportunity to be involved and help shape the new departments from the outset.

CIARA assess applications from new firms consumer investment portfolios, such as advisers and intermediaries as well as applications from Principals wishing to add new appointed representatives.

Banking & Insurance assess applications for new banks, insurers, funeral plan providers and insurance intermediaries.

What does the role involve?

The role holder will be an integral part of the departmental management team and therefore must be prepared to be involved in, and contribute to, discussions on the wide range of topics important in leading this function.

The effective management of the HoD’s office will be achieved by ensuring you are one step ahead, using your initiative and common sense. Pro-activity is essential, alongside an adaptable approach to influencing the rest of the management team, and remaining available to respond to questions from around the department. This is a fast moving and ever-changing environment and you must therefore be comfortable with regular change and able to adapt with it. The successful candidate will need to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills as the ‘entry point’ to the department, be highly organised and be able to work to tight deadlines.

Dedicating 50% of your time to provide professional support to the HoD, including:

• Assembling and disseminating information on their behalf and progressing actions as appropriate;
• Inbox management - monitoring of emails, including the recording and tracking of actions, drafting and sending replies as appropriate on behalf of the HoD, proactively identifying and taking on actions;
• Diary management – ensuring commitments are managed smoothly, within time constraints, and that associated arrangements (e.g. briefing requests) operate efficiently;
• Meeting papers – Manage meeting papers for the HoD including coordinating briefings, managing bring forward/pending system and chasing 'actions' from others where necessary;
• Acting as a point of contact for the HoD, including liaison with senior management and external stakeholders;
• Investigating issues and resolving queries (escalating/advising HoD as appropriate) and ensuring full communication with contacts/Division as relevant.

Dedicating 50% of your time to adding value and ensuring the smooth running of the department, including:

• Managers meetings – preparing agendas for the Management meetings, taking a note of key actions and following up actions where necessary;
• Coordinating departmental communications and any other ad hoc papers or presentations;
• Organising department events, including liaising with internal conferencing as appropriate;
• Travel management for Hod and management team as the department is multi-locational;
• Working closing with the departmental Engagement Team to ensure an effective contribution to the wellbeing of colleagues;
• Working closely with and providing support where required to the wider Auths PA/administrator team.

What will the candidate get from the role?

You will have the opportunity to work closely with senior stakeholders throughout Authorisations and the FCA. You will see and be part of senior level decision making, have the chance to drive positive strategic and cultural changes in the new departments and develop and broaden your network.

Skills/Experience Required

We’re a signatory to the Government's Disability Confident scheme. This means that we will offer an interview to disabled candidates entering under the scheme, should they meet the minimum criteria for a role. A minimum criterion needs to be measurable from reviewing a candidate’s CV. (Exceptions may apply if due to the volume of applications we are not able to interview all eligible candidates who qualify under the scheme.)

Minimum

• Experience working in a Personal Assistant capacity with strong organisational skills;
• Experience of establishing and maintaining effective relationships with senior stakeholders; and
• Experience using Microsoft Outlook, OneNote, Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

Essential

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, in particular an ability to write clear and succinct emails to senior individuals and the wider division, for example department weekly updates and managing the department webpages
• Ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines and to juggle competing priorities;
• Ability and confidence to make timely decisions based on relevant analysis in absence of the HoD where appropriate;
• Ability to work proactively and autonomously;
• Ability to influence a range of internal and external stakeholders;
• Team player with the ability to work on own initiative;
• Diligent with strong attention to detail;
• Trustworthy and conscientious with an ability to handle confidential information;
• Committed to improving processes and sharing good practice;
• The role requires you to have access to sensitive and confidential information. Maintaining security and confidentiality of information is of paramount importance in this role.

Desirable

• Knowledge and understanding of the FCA.

About the FCA

At the FCA, we’re creating a fair and more resilient financial system. We’re establishing more transparent relationships between financial services and their customers, building trust in financial markets and protecting vulnerable consumers.

The FCA's Values & Diversity

Our ambition is to create a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the society we serve, helping us to be a better regulator.

As an inclusive employer, we are open to considering flexible working arrangements. Please contact our recruiter if you wish to apply for this role on a flexible basis.

Useful Information

• This role is graded as Senior Professional Support - Corporate
• The FCA has a national role and is committed to a national footprint. This role can be based in London, Edinburgh or Leeds
• The FCA has London and National Pay ranges to reflect regional differences. The salary for this role will be:

London - The salary will be £32,000 - £37,000 plus a competitive benefits package and non-contributory pension.
National The salary will be £30,000 - £35,000 plus a competitive benefits package and non-contributory pension.

• Applications for this role close on 5th February (Midnight)
• CV’s will be reviewed W/C 6th February.

Recruitment Process

• On-line application. Please submit your CV setting out how your experience and/or ability meets the criteria set out above
• Screening - your application will be reviewed/shortlisted by the recruiting managers.
• Competency Based Interview

Please note applications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via email will not be accepted.

Additional Information

The FCA supports hybrid working and you will be expected to work 40% of your time over a month, in our office. We will consider other flexible arrangements, for example part time working, and you can discuss this with the recruiter.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £30,000.00-£37,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Flexitime
• Life insurance
• Private dental insurance
• Private medical insurance
• Sick pay
• Work from home

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Application question(s):

• If interested please submit an application on the FCA Careers page using this link - https://fca.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/FCACareers/job/London/Personal-Assistant-to-Head-of-DepartmentJR0009721-1

Work Location: Hybrid remote in LONDON

Application deadline: 06/02/2023
Reference ID: JR0009721