First Line Risk Management Specialist

SWIFT; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial messaging provider in Greater London seeks a First Line Risk Management Specialist. This role involves managing risks across operational, technology, and security domains, requiring a Bachelor's degree and over 5 years of relevant experience in risk management. Candidates should have a strong understanding of compliance frameworks and excellent communication skills. The position offers a diverse and inclusive work environment while contributing to the security and reliability of financial transactions.

Benefits

Competitive package

Career control

Performance support

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in risk management or similar roles.
• Strong technical understanding of risks, policies, and controls.
• Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide transparency and reporting of risks to leadership.
• Monitor and report on risk management activities.
• Collaborate with various internal stakeholders.

Skills

Risk management

Compliance frameworks

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Governance, risk management, and compliance tools

Job description

ABOUT US

We’re the world’s leading provider of secure financial messaging services, headquartered in Belgium. We are the way the world moves value – across borders, through cities and overseas. No other organisation can address the scale, precision, pace and trust that this demands, and we’re proud to support the global economy.

We’re unique too. We were established to find a better way for the global financial community to move value – a reliable, safe and secure approach that the community can trust, completely. We’re always striving to be better and are constantly evolving in an ever-changing landscape, without undermining that trust. Five decades on, our vibrant community reflects the complexity and diversity of the financial ecosystem. We innovate diligently, test exhaustively, then implement fast. In a connected and exciting era, our mission has never been more relevant. Swift now has a presence in 200+ countries and legal territories to serve a community of more than 12,000 banks and financial institutions.

Are you a risk management professional who finds inspiration in helping organisations harden their risk and control environment? Are you self‑motivated, highly organised and able to manage competing priorities and deal flexibly with ambiguity?

As First Line Risk Management Specialist, you will support the first‑line Technology Platform and Security organisation in managing their risks and risk‑related activities, across multiple risk domains, primarily operational, technology and security. In a dynamic environment shaped by evolving risks, regulatory expectations, and strategic priorities, this position offers an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

What to expect

In this role you will:

• Provide transparency and ensure accurate reporting of risks and risk‑related activities to Executive and Senior Leadership.
• Monitor and report on risk management activities and outcomes.
• Build and foster meaningful and professional relationships with a wide range of internal stakeholders across all 3 lines.
• Assist 1st line in identifying, analysing, evaluating and mitigating risks in alignment with Swift’s Enterprise Risk Management Framework.
• Collaborate with 2nd line Risk Department and 3rd line Internal Audit on a frequent basis to stay aligned on risk and audit activities and outcomes.
• Leverage a technology‑driven risk lens to assist with the preparation and review of Executive and Board material.
• Manage and maintain the organisation’s central process repository to ensure processes remain accurate and relevant.

What will make you successful

We are seeking professionals with:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 5+ years of experience in risk management, control compliance, or similar roles, and a keen interest in growing your expertise in Risk Management.
• Strong technical understanding of compliance frameworks, risks, policies and controls.
• Proficiency in using governance, risk management and compliance tools and methodologies.
• Self‑starter with a structured, process‑oriented mindset and the ability to work independently in a dynamic, international environment.
• Excellent communication (written and oral), interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Strategic thinker and problem‑solver, including ability to analyse complex technical data and provide actionable insights and recommendations.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with experience interacting at senior levels.
• Collaborative mindset with a proactive and solution‑oriented approach.
• Proven ability to influence, drive change and deliver with an operational excellence mindset.
• Resilience and adaptability in managing multiple priorities and delivering results in a fast‑paced and evolving environment.
• Relevant professional certifications (e.g., CISA, CRISC, CGRC, GRCP, ISO 31000)
• Strong knowledge of industry standards and frameworks (e.g., ISO 27001, NIST, COBIT, ITIL) and technology risk principles.
• Professional English language skills (written and verbal)

What we offer

• We put you in control of career
• We give you a competitive package
• We help you perform at your best
• We help you make a difference
• We give you the freedom to be yourself

We give you the freedom to be yourself. We are creating an environment of unique individuals – like you – with different perspectives on the financial industry and the world. A diverse and inclusive environment in which everyone’s voice counts and where you can reach your full potential.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact us to request accommodation.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Swift, we are dedicated to building a workplace where people can bring their full selves and ideas to the team, so if you are excited about this role, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every single qualification.