Future Payment Systems & Infrastructure Lead

Every time anyone uses a cash machine, transfers money, uses contactless, or gets paid, they use a payment system. Payment systems are always evolving and the PSR is here to make sure they work well for everyone. Follow this link to find out more About The PSR.

The PSR is an independent economic regulator led by interim Managing Director, David Geale - who is also FCA Executive Director, Payments and Digital Finance. Operationally the PSR is currently an independent subsidiary of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), however in March 2025 the Prime Minister announced that the PSR would be consolidated into the FCA, a pragmatic next step in simplifying regulation of payments.

This transition will likely take some time and will follow a Government consultation, although the Government has already been clear that payment systems must continue to be effectively regulated. For the time being, therefore, the PSR continues to focus on delivering its important and impactful programme of work, collaborating closely with the FCA.

The Payment Services Market Interventions Department (PSMI) you are applying to join will ultimately move into the FCA when the new legislation takes effect. Candidates should be aware, therefore, that there may be changes to their responsibilities as consolidation into the FCA progresses.

The Future Payment Systems and Infrastructure team you are applying to join will ultimately move into the FCA when the new legislation takes effect. Candidates should be aware, therefore, that there may be changes to their responsibilities as consolidation into the FCA progresses.

We are seeking an experienced professional to take ownership of complex workstreams and provide leadership across the team’s portfolio.

Working closely with the Manager, Future Payment Systems & Infrastructure, you will help develop and implement a new onboarding strategy, ensuring a consistent and transparent approach to payment systems that may come under PSR or FCA oversight.

Role responsibilities

• Acting as lead across the Future Payment Systems & Infrastructure team’s work, supporting prioritisation and progression of workstreams

• Managing and leading complex stakeholder relationships including with other authorities and select payment system participants

• Supporting the Manager of Future Payment Systems & Infrastructure with development and delivery of the strategy for the team’s work

• Championing innovation and continuous improvement in our practice, including development of tools, approaches and ways of working

• Providing coaching, guidance and informal mentoring to colleagues across the team, supporting development, consistency and collaboration

• Building and maintaining a deep understanding of emerging firms, the environments they operate in and the strategic and operational risks they pose

• Supporting senior colleagues in the transition of payment systems onboarding into the FCA’s framework, including new ways of working, governance and engagement models

• Promoting a culture of collaboration, inclusion and learning within and across the team, acting as a role model for PSR values and behaviours

Do you have experience in Supervising experience?, Minimum:

• Demonstrated experience in supervision, monitoring or regulatory relationship management roles within a regulator or regulated environment

• Experience of operating with significant internal and external influence, including engagement with senior stakeholders

• Ability to analyse complex information, identify key issues and produce clear, well-reasoned written outputs, including contribution to strategic assessments

Essential:

• Deep knowledge of payment systems, including how they operate, are supervised and support effective, proportionate regulation

• Experience of leading or coordinating complex regulatory, supervisory or project-based work, including delivering outcomes through periods of change or organisational transition

• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively, both verbally and in writing, on complex issues

• Well-developed judgment, decision-making and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to operate effectively on sensitive or high-profile issues

• Well-developed organisational and planning skills, with the ability to balance strategic priorities with day-to-day delivery

• Knowledge of economic regulation, competition policy, payments public policy, or another regulated industry

• Line management experience is desirable

Pulled from the full job description

• Annual leave
• Company pension
• Paid volunteer time

• Private medical insurance, Job title: Future Payment Systems & Infrastructure Lead Department: Payment Systems Market Interventions

• Salary: National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £60,700 to £70,000 and London from £66,600 to £80,000 (salary offered will be based on skills and experience), * 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

• Non-contributory pension (8-12% depending on age) and life assurance at eight times your salary

• Private healthcare with Bupa, income protection and 24/7 Employee Assistance

• 35 hours of paid volunteering annually

• Hybrid model where employees work a minimum of 40% in the office each month (expectation of 50% for senior leaders). Changing from September to a minimum of 50% in the office each month (expectation of 60% for Directors and Executive Directors)

• A flexible benefits scheme designed around your lifestyle

For a full list of our benefits and our recruitment process as a whole visit our benefits page.

Our values and culture

Our 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.