Chief Risk Officer (SMF4)

Tandem Search; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established, values-driven UK bank is seeking a Chief Risk Officer to lead their Risk and Compliance function. This role is pivotal in overseeing the bank's risk management framework, engaging with regulators, and fostering a proactive risk culture. You'll collaborate closely with senior leadership to ensure sustainable financial growth while delivering a positive social impact through ethical banking. Join a passionate team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the financial sector, with a generous benefits package and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

30 days holiday

Private healthcare

Wellbeing allowance

Ethical pension scheme

Birthday leave

Volunteering days

Support for professional development

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in senior risk leadership within banking.
• Strong regulatory understanding and successful risk framework development.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Bank’s risk management framework across all risk types.
• Lead the second line of defence and engage with regulators.

Skills

Senior Risk Leadership Experience

Regulatory Understanding (SMCR)

Communication Skills

Judgement and Collaboration

Experience in Socially Focused Sectors

Job description

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Location: London (Hybrid Working)

Type: Full-time, Permanent

Lead with purpose. Shape the future of ethical banking.

We are a long-established, values-driven UK bank with a mission to deliver positive social impact through ethical and responsible banking. Serving a diverse mix of individual customers, charities, social enterprises, and mission-aligned businesses, we offer a meaningful alternative to traditional financial institutions.

As we grow, we’re looking for a Chief Risk Officer (CRO) to lead our Risk and Compliance function and play a critical role in protecting our customers, strengthening our frameworks, and promoting sustainable financial growth.

The Role

As CRO, you’ll be responsible for overseeing the Bank’s risk management framework across all risk types — credit, operational, market, regulatory, and reputational. You’ll lead the second line of defence, contribute to key governance committees, and engage directly with regulators. This is a SMF4 and SMF16 role, with oversight of the MLRO and DPO.

You will work closely with the CEO and senior leadership to embed a proactive, values-aligned risk culture across the business.

What You’ll Bring

• Extensive experience in a senior risk leadership role within banking (ideally SME-focused)
• In-depth understanding of secured lending in the £0.5m–£5m range
• Demonstrable success in developing and evolving risk frameworks
• Strong regulatory understanding, including SMCR
• Clear communication, sound judgement, and a collaborative approach
• Previous SMF4 experience
• Experience in socially focused sectors (e.g. not-for-profit, healthcare, education, housing)
• Familiarity with ICAAP, ILAAP, operational resilience

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a bank that gives money meaning
• Work with people passionate about making a difference
• Enjoy a generous benefits package including 30 days holiday, private healthcare, wellbeing allowance, and an ethical pension scheme
• Birthday leave, volunteering days, and support for professional development

This is your opportunity to combine deep risk expertise with a powerful sense of purpose. Selected applicants will be provided a more detailed job description.

Seniority level

Executive

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Management and Finance

Industries

Banking