Data Science Lead – Machine-Readable Regulation
Division –Digital, Technology & Innovation
Department– Data Strategy & Services
Salary –National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £72,100 - £95,000 and London £79,300 - £105,000 per annum (Salary offered will be based on skills and experience)
About the FCA
The FCA regulates the conduct of 45,000 firms in the UK to ensure our financial markets are honest, fair and competitive. Follow this link to find out more About the FCA.
Our Data Strategy & Services department leads bold transformation by unlocking the power of data. Within the Intelligence & Digital division, we work together to deliver smarter, more collaborative regulation using advanced analytics, strong governance, and integrated data solutions.
We foster a culture of curiosity, creativity, and continuous learning. We value diverse perspectives and encourage experimentation. Through partnerships with academics, innovators, and colleagues across the FCA, we create space to explore new ideas and grow together.
What will you be doing?
Lead end-to-end delivery of pioneering regulatory reporting solutions—supporting teams from initial ideas to real-world implementation
Apply cutting-edge technologies like Natural Language Processing and LLMs to simplify complex regulatory text and promote smarter automation
Design adaptable systems that align regulatory requirements with firm data, helping organisations report only what’s necessary and relevant
Collaborate closely across disciplines to introduce machine-readable and executable rules that are clear, traceable, and practical
Guide the development of reliable APIs and cloud-native services that enable secure, real-time data sharing with industry partners
Champion a learning culture—mentoring team members, sharing expertise, and representing the FCA in innovation forums that shape the future of regulation
What you will get from the role
Take a leading role in reimagining how firms report and share data with the FCA, driving meaningful regulatory transformation
Build strong connections and influence across senior stakeholders, both internally and throughout the financial services ecosystem
Join a dynamic leadership team committed to nurturing a more data-informed, forward-thinking organisation
Which skills are required?
We are a Disability Confident Employer; therefore, disabled people or individuals with long-term conditions who best meet the minimum criteria for a role will go through to the next stage of the recruitment process (to learn more about the Disability Confident SchemeClick Here).
Minimum
Experience applying advanced Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques (such as syntactic and semantic parsing, knowledge graphs, and decision tables) and working with LLMs through fine-tuning, prompt design, or RAG to interpret text and enable intuitive, responsive reporting
Experience advising on and supporting technology-enabled change across regulatory, financial, or data-driven environments, delivering solutions that balance impact with stakeholder needs
Experience leading cross-functional initiatives from concept through delivery, blending solution design, stakeholder collaboration, and technical oversight to ensure aligned outcomes
Essential
Experience designing and implementing rules-based or logic-driven systems to express regulatory obligations in a machine-readable format, using tools like Drools, OpenFisca, Prolog, or bespoke DSLs
Strength in communicating complex technical concepts with clarity and empathy—building trust and engagement across both technical and non-technical senior audiences
Understanding of regulatory reporting frameworks, with a collaborative mindset for tackling challenges in data harmonisation and automation
Strong software engineering skills, especially in Python, with confidence deploying solutions in cloud-native environments like AWS, Azure, or GCP and experience maintaining scalable APIs to enable secure data exchange across systems.
Knowledge of semantic technologies, ontologies, or domain modelling—such as FIBO or CDM—to bring clarity and structure to complex financial data
Our Values & Diversity
We are proud to be an inclusive employer and our ambition is to cultivate a culture for all employees that respects their individual strengths, views and experiences. 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.
Within the workplace you will have access to various employee resource groups which aim to promote and achieve a healthy work / life balance and support our diversity ambitions.
Did you know?50% of our Executive Committee were the first in their family to attend university.
Benefits of working at the FCA
28 days holiday per year plus bank holidays
Hybrid working (work from home up to 60% of your time)
Private healthcare with Bupa as standard
A non-contributory Pension of at least 8% of basic salary each month (there are several contribution levels that increase depending on your age – up to 12% a month once you reach age 35)
Life assurance of eight times your basic salary
Income protection as standard
We also have a competitive flexible benefits scheme which gives you the opportunity to create a personalised benefits package, tailored to suit your lifestyle.
We welcome applications from candidates who are looking for flexible arrangements. Many of our staff work flexibly including working part-time, staggered hours and job shares. We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want but we can explore what might work best for both sides.
Follow this link to see what life is like at the FCA - Life at the FCA
Application Support
We are dedicated to removing barriers and ensuring our application process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.
If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition requiring changes to the recruitment process, please contact your recruiter using the details below and they will be happy to discuss this further with you.
Useful Information and Timeline
This role is graded as: Technical Specialist – Regulatory
Advert Closing: Midnight 20 August (please submit your application no later than 19 August)
Shortlist: 21– 22 August
Competency Interview: 04 to 09 September
Technical Interview: 17 to 19 September
Informal Fireside Chat: 22 September
When submitting your application, please tailor your CV to highlight how you meet the minimum and essential requirements above.
Your 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 time.
Got a question?
If you are interested in learning more about the role, please contact Steve Christopher on k
Applications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via email will not be accepted.
