Lead Strategic Communications Partner

Job title: Lead Strategic Communications and News PartnerDivision: OperationsDepartment: Strategic Communications and NewsSalary: National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from 49,600 to 66,100 and London from 54,500 to 72,500 (salary offered will be based on skills and experience)This role is graded as: Lead Associate - CorporateYour external recruitment contact is Raimonda via raimonda.stankute@fca.org.ukYour internal recruitment contact is Lauren via Lauren.McHale@fca.org.ukApplications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via social media or email will not be accepted.About the FCA and team We regulate financial services firms in the UK, to keep financial markets fair, thriving and effective. By joining us, you’ll play a key part in protecting consumers, driving economic growth and shaping the future of UK finance services.

The Strategic Communications and News Department sits at the heart of the FCA's Communications Division, setting strategic direction and ensuring the FCA's external communications are clear, concise and compelling.The department comprises three specialist teams: Strategic Communication Partners, Editorial and Speechwriting and Social Media.The Strategic Communication Partner team is organised into six specialist teams aligned to areas across the FCA. These teams develop and deliver communications strategies that help explain the FCA's work, support organisational priorities and engage the media and other external stakeholders.This role is responsible for overseeing two of these teams. You will oversee the development and delivery of strategic communications activity, advise senior leaders on complex and sensitive issues and play a key role in protecting and enhancing the FCA’s reputation.Role responsibilitiesLead, coach and support 5 communications professionals across two Strategic Communication Partner teams while building a collaborative, results-driven cultureReviewing work to ensure it is delivered to a high standardLeading the development and delivery of a communication campaign to support one of our four strategic prioritiesTaking charge of the most complex and demanding announcements as needed, creating communication plans and materials to a high standard, including press releases, social media posts, internal messages and stakeholder emails, while partnering with communications teams to deliver resultsProactively bringing our stories to life through traditional media, social media or other channelsActing as a trusted strategic communications adviser to Executive Directors and senior leaders, providing advice on high-profile, politically sensitive and reputationally significant issuesDeveloping and maintaining effective relationships with senior communicators across Whitehall, Parliament, consumer groups, trade associations and the mediaEnsuring media enquiries are handled effectively and leading on the most sensitive reactive issues, including crisis and issues managementBeing part of the out-of-hours rota for media queriesSkills requiredMinimum:Demonstrated ability to manage proactive and reactive media relations, including handling media enquiries and responding to sensitive or high-profile issuesLeadership experience, including managing and developing individuals or teams through direct line management and/or matrix managementEssential:Proven success in developing and delivering communications plans, campaigns or media strategiesEffective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex information into clear and compelling messagesExperience overseeing communications activity involving significant reputational, regulatory, political or public-interest considerationsConfidence advising senior leaders on communications strategy, stakeholder engagement and messagingExperience coordinating communications responses during complex issues, crises or fast-moving external eventsDemonstrated ability to balance multiple competing priorities and deliver high-quality outcomes in a demanding environmentSolid understanding of traditional, digital and social media channels and how they support strategic communications objectivesAbility to build credibility, influence stakeholders and establish strong working relationships across a complex organisationExperience using media monitoring, social listening and communications evaluation toolsBenefits25 days annual leave plus bank holidaysNon-contributory pension (8–12% depending on age) and life assurance at eight times your salaryPrivate healthcare with Bupa, income protection and 24/7 Employee Assistance35 hours of paid volunteering annuallyColleagues spend a minimum of 50% of their working time in the office each month (60% for Directors and Executive Directors) across our London, Leeds and Edinburgh offices.

A flexible benefits scheme designed around your lifestyleFor a full list of our benefits and our recruitment process as a whole visit our benefits page.Our values and cultureOur colleagues are the key to our success as a regulator. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture: one that’s free from discrimination and bias, celebrates difference and supports colleagues to deliver at their best. We believe that our differences and similarities enable us to be a better organisation – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation and delivers better regulation.If you require any adjustments due to a disability or condition, your recruiter is here to help - reach out for tailored support.We welcome diverse working styles and aim to find flexible solutions that suit both the role and individual needs, including options like part-time and job sharing where applicable.Disability confident: our hiring approach We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and therefore, people or individuals with disabilities and long-term conditions who best meet the minimum criteria for a role will go through to the next stage of the recruitment process.

In cases of high application volumes, we may progress applicants whose experience most closely matches the role’s key requirements.Useful information and timelinesTimeline:Job advert closes: 11:59pm, 15th November 2026CV Review/Shortlist: 18th November 2026Interviews: w/c 23rd November 2026Your Recruiter will discuss the process in detail with you during screening for the role, therefore, please make them aware if you are going to be unavailable for any date during this timeSummaryLocation: London; Leeds; EdinburghType: Full time