Head of Department - Policy

Payment Systems Regulator, Head of Department - Policy

The Payment Systems Regulator is an independent economic regulator led by a Managing Director, who is also Executive Director, Payments and Digital Finance for the FCA. The PSR is currently a subsidiary of the FCA, however it is to be consolidated into the FCA, simplifying payments regulation.

The work of the PSR has a significant impact on millions of consumers and businesses as well as UK and international markets. It ensures firms have the interests of their clients and the integrity of the market at the heart of how they run their business; setting the standards the PSR expects firms to meet and exploring and analysing identified risks within firms in the payment systems sector.

The opportunity

An exciting opportunity has arisen to lead the PSR's Policy team as Head of Department. This role sits at the heart of the PSR's work, leading high impact policy development across priority areas including card fees, variable recurring payments and Authorised Push Payment fraud.

You will lead a team through a period of significant change and innovation across the PSR/FCA and the wider payments landscape, shaping pragmatic, evidence based policy that reflects the PSR's strategic objectives and statutory duties. Working closely with internal and external stakeholders, you will use the regulator's powers confidently and creatively to promote competition and innovation, protect consumers, and reinforce the PSR and FCA's reputation as a leading regulator.

The successful candidate will:

• Shape decisions at the highest level that influence both the PSR and the future of the UK's payments systems, as Head of Policy and a member of the PSR Executive Team, contributing directly to organisational leadership, strategy and impact.
• Lead the development and delivery of regulatory policy across the PSR's remit, providing authoritative advice to the FCA Executive and Board, sponsoring major initiatives that address harm, strengthen payment systems and drive greater competition, innovation and choice.
• Represent the PSR with senior leaders across major banks and payment firms, the FCA, Bank of England, HM Treasury, the CMA and Parliament, building credibility through confident and effective engagement.

The successful candidate will bring:

• Senior level policy leadership, ideally combinedwith an understanding of the payments sector.
• A strong track record of leading large, multidisciplinary teams under pressure, driving delivery, operational improvement and sustainable change alongside business as usual.
• Excellent influencing and stakeholder management skills, enabling delivery through others across the PSR and FCA and with external partners.

The FCA is committed to achieving greater diversity across all levels of the organisation. Given this, they particularly welcome applications from women, disabled, and minority ethnic candidates, as under-represented groups.

The closing date for this role is Sunday 21 st June at 23.55. For more information and to apply, please visit