Head of Department

We are seeking to appoint a Head of Department - Policy, responsible for providing high quality advice to the PSR Board and making senior level decisions that have a wide range, influence and impact on the organisation.

How payments work affects the society we live in; the challenges faced by the vulnerable; how likely we are to fall victim to fraud; and how easily we can manage our money. Payments underpin our economy. Behind these payments are several important payment systems. This is where the PSR plays an important role – we are the economic regulator of, and competition authority for, those systems. We protect people and businesses and promote competition and innovation in these systems and the markets that they support.

This is a particularly exciting time for the PSR; the role will involve taking the lead during an especially innovative time within the payments arena. Significant areas to address will be - the heightened lens on fraud within the payments space and rolling out fraud prevention measures, guiding the PSR through its expanded role in Open Banking and working with LINK to make sure ATMs are in place where they are most needed.

The Head of Policy is a member of the Payment Systems Regulator’s Executive Committee and PSR Executive. They are responsible for leading the development and delivery of policy for the PSR and providing high quality advice to the PSR Executive Committee and will routinely attend PSR Board Meetings. They will also represent the PSR at board level and with executive levels of major banks and payment firms; will interact at Director and Executive Director level with the Bank of England and FCA; and will engage with Parliament (MPs and Select Committees). As a member of the Executive, the job holder will also contribute to the creation of the vision and strategy, and the development and delivery of the Annual Business Plan. This role also has responsibilities and accountabilities under the Senior Managers Regime (SMR). 

The role requires an individual who will be able to synthesize expert legal and economic advice into policies which continue to demonstrate the PSR’s reputation as a leading regulatory body - in essence, using the PSR’s broad powers to protect people properly in the payments space by working at the forefront of policy development. 

Ideal candidates should demonstrate the ability to lead the development of regulatory policy in a complex and fast-moving sector. This would likely be through significant policy-making experience within a regulator, government body, or other public body; or working closely with such organisations from within a regulated firm, consumer body, think tank, consultancy, or trade associations.

The PSR is a signatory to the Government's Disability Confident scheme, guaranteeing an interview to any disabled candidates entering under the scheme, should they meet the minimum criteria for a role. 

All members of PSR are expected to demonstrate the PSR Values of Integrity, Unity, Engagement, Knowledge & Purpose.  

In order to represent the people and organisations that we serve, we are committed to building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workplace. Our commitment includes gender, disability, ethnicity, LGBTQ+ and gender identity, mental health and social mobility issues.  

As an inclusive employer, we have adopted a hybrid way of working, so we are happy to discuss how this will work for you.

To learn more about the role and to apply, please submit a CV and Cover Letter to: psr@moloneysearch.com. The closing date for applications is 5 pm on Wednesday 27th July 2022.