Hybrid – 2 days in the office

Purpose of the Role

We are seeking a proactive, highly credible Risk Officer to support the Chief Risk Officer in providing effective oversight of all enterprise, operational, and regulatory risks across the organisation. You will play a pivotal role in the delivery of the 2nd Line Assurance Plan and in embedding a robust, organisation-wide risk management framework. This is a key role for anyone looking to make a tangible impact in a dynamic financial services environment, providing guidance, challenge, and insight across all levels of the business.

In this role, you will act as a trusted point of contact for risk-related matters, advising colleagues across the business and escalating issues as appropriate to the Chief Risk Officer or Compliance Manager. You will support the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of risk frameworks, ensuring that risk management is embedded into business processes, operational decision-making, and strategic initiatives.

You will also play a key role in providing high-quality risk-related management information (MI), aggregating, analysing, and challenging data to produce board-ready insights that inform executive decision-making. By combining technical knowledge with excellent stakeholder engagement skills, you will influence and advise business leaders to achieve sustainable risk outcomes while maintaining strong, collaborative relationships across the organisation.

Working within a small, combined Risk & Compliance team, you will partner closely with the Compliance Manager on joint initiatives, deputise when required, and contribute to building a culture of accountability, transparency, and proactive risk management. This is a highly visible role requiring a confident, adaptable, and commercially aware individual who can operate effectively in a fast-paced, complex, and evolving financial services environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Chief Risk Officer and Compliance Manager in delivering a structured, professional, and proportionate risk management framework, ensuring the organisation operates within its stated risk appetite.

• Identify, assess, and monitor business risks, and advise on mitigating controls and strategies to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and internal standards.

• Provide guidance to colleagues on risk-related matters and, where appropriate, compliance issues, offering practical, actionable solutions that support business objectives.

• Support executive and board-level reporting, including the preparation of risk dashboards, heatmaps, and narrative reports to inform risk committees, sub-committees, and governance forums.

• Challenge and influence business leaders constructively on risk and control matters, including the adequacy of mitigation strategies, control effectiveness, root cause analysis, and incident investigations.

• Support monitoring and oversight of operational risks arising from business change initiatives, ensuring risks are identified and mitigated effectively during transformations, process updates, and technology deployments.

• Conduct follow-up and validation work to verify that corrective actions have been implemented and are effective.

• Log, investigate, and track issues or incidents escalated to the Risk team, escalating to senior management as required.

• Build strong working relationships across all departments, gaining credibility and influence to drive positive risk outcomes and embed a healthy risk culture.

• Contribute to continuous improvement of risk frameworks, processes, and MI, ensuring they remain relevant and effective in a rapidly evolving financial services environment.

Regulatory Requirements and Knowledge

The role holder will have a strong understanding of risk management frameworks, regulatory compliance, and financial services governance, including the implications of legal and regulatory requirements on business operations. Knowledge of the following is essential:

• FCA Handbook and PRA Rulebook (high-level)

• UK Money Laundering Regulations and JMLSG Guidance

• Data Protection Act 2018

• Anti-Bribery and Corruption Act

• Consumer Duty

• Proceeds of Crime Act 2002

• Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (Whistleblowing)

The Risk Officer will maintain vigilance regarding cyber security, ensuring any breaches or potential threats are reported promptly. All staff are required to comply with organisational policies, complete mandatory training, and undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as required.

Person Specification

Education & Qualifications
Essential:

• GCSE or equivalent, including Maths and English.

Desirable:

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent.

• Relevant qualifications in Enterprise Risk Management (e.g., IRM), Compliance (ICA), or Internal Audit (IIA).

Skills & Abilities
Essential:

• Team player with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Strong analytical skills, capable of understanding, challenging, and presenting risk information to support informed decision-making.

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a similar role within financial services.

• Ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of risk management systems and MI reporting.

• Leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to engage with executive-level stakeholders.

Knowledge, Experience & Proven Ability
Essential:

• Experience working with risk and compliance frameworks and knowledge of industry best practices.

• Strong understanding of financial services regulation and familiarity with key regulators (e.g., FCA, PRA, ICO).

• Working knowledge of FCA Handbook requirements and financial products relevant to a financial services company.

• Excellent organisational, prioritisation, and multi-tasking skills.

• Experience operating in a regulated financial services environment.

Desirable:

• Experience in broader financial services beyond building societies.

• Knowledge of the three lines of defence model and corporate governance frameworks.

Why Join Us

This is a unique opportunity to work in a collaborative, high-impact role within a forward-thinking financial services organisation. You will be instrumental in embedding a strong risk culture, influencing decision-making at senior levels, and helping the business navigate a complex regulatory and operational landscape. The role offers exposure to a wide range of risk disciplines, the opportunity to work closely with executive leadership, and the chance to make a real difference in shaping enterprise risk management across the business.

Applicants must be located and eligible to work in the UK without sponsorship.

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