Head of COO First Line Risk & Compliance

Royal London Mutual Insurance Society; Alderley Edge; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Royal London is seeking a Head of COO Risk Governance and Controls to lead risk management initiatives. This permanent, hybrid position offers an opportunity to enhance the risk and compliance landscape, ensuring alignment with regulatory commitments. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership and analytical skills, along with extensive experience in financial services.

Benefits

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Up to 14% employer matching pension scheme

Private medical insurance

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in risk management, internal controls, or compliance.
• Deep understanding of regulatory environment in financial services.
• Proven ability to lead teams and manage complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Drive identification and management of key risks across the function.
• Design and implement effective internal controls.
• Produce insightful risk reports for executive stakeholders.

Skills

Risk Management

Compliance

Leadership

Analytical Skills

Communication

Problem-Solving

Education

Degree-qualified

FRM Certification

CISA Certification

CRISC Certification

Job description

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Job Title: Head of COO Risk Governance and Controls

Contract Type: Permanent

Hiring Manager: Lou Dennett

Recruitment Partner: Mark Williams

Grade: D

Location: Edinburgh or Alderley Edge

Working style: Hybrid 50% home/office based

Closing date: 3rd July 2025

Shape the future of risk management at Royal London.

At Royal London, we're committed to delivering excellence in everything we do. As the UK's largest mutual life, pensions and investment company, we put our customers and members at the heart of our decisions. We are now seeking a highly experienced and strategic leader to join our team as Head of Chief Operating Office (COO) First Line Risk and Compliance.

This is a unique opportunity to lead and evolve the risk and compliance landscape across our function, ensuring we meet our business, Board, and regulatory commitments with integrity, insight, and innovation.

Our Chief Operating Office (COO) business works across Royal London to help deliver the Group's strategic ambitions. We work in partnership to deliver operational excellence, drive innovation, enhance customer experience, and protect our business from threats impacting our industry.

We are the largest business unit within Royal London, bringing together thousands of colleagues to look after millions of customers to deliver great outcomes for customers.

Our business focuses on aligning colleagues, applications and projects with our three value streams: Long Term Savings, Protection & Equity Release, and Long Standing Customers & Annuities.

About the Role

As Head of COO First Line Risk and Compliance, you will play a critical role in embedding a strong risk culture and ensuring robust internal controls across the function. Reporting to the Strategy, Planning and Change Director, you will lead a team of risk and control specialists, providing oversight, challenge, and strategic direction in line with Royal London's Risk Management Framework.

You will be responsible for:

• Risk Leadership: Driving the identification, assessment, and management of key risks across the function. You will ensure a consistent and high-quality approach to risk reporting, escalation, and mitigation.
• Governance and Oversight: Managing the Risk Committee and supporting senior leadership in fulfilling their risk responsibilities. You will coordinate regulatory responses and ensure timely closure of actions.
• Internal Controls: Designing and implementing effective internal controls, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and Royal London policies. You will oversee assurance activities and ensure findings are addressed appropriately.
• Policy and Compliance: Supporting policy owners in the development, review, and embedding of policies. You will monitor adherence and escalate areas of non-compliance.
• Regulatory Engagement: Liaising with regulators, staying abreast of regulatory developments, and preparing high-quality reports and responses to regulatory consultations.
• Reporting and Insight: Producing insightful risk reports and dashboards for executive and board-level stakeholders. You will champion data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement in reporting processes.
• Training and Culture: Promoting a risk-aware culture through training, awareness, and stakeholder engagement. You will ensure colleagues understand their roles in managing risk effectively.
• People Leadership: Leading and developing a high-performing team, fostering a culture of openness, accountability, and continuous development.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for a confident and capable leader with a strong background in risk management and compliance, ideally within the life and pensions or broader financial services sector.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Degree-qualified, with professional certifications such as FRM, CISA, CRISC or equivalent highly desirable.
• Extensive experience in risk management, internal controls, or compliance.
• Deep understanding of the regulatory environment and risk landscape in financial services.
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage complex projects, and influence senior stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• A collaborative and resilient approach, with a commitment to continuous improvement.

About Royal London

We're the UK's largest mutual life, pensions and investment company, offering protection, long-term savings and asset management products and services.

Our People Promise to our colleagues is that we will all work somewhere inclusive, responsible, enjoyable and fulfilling. This is underpinned by our Spirit of Royal London values; Empowered, Trustworthy, Collaborate, Achieve.

We've always been proud to reward employees by offering great workplace benefits such as 28 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, an up to 14% employer matching pension scheme and private medical insurance. You can see all our benefits here - Our Benefits

Inclusion, diversity and belonging.

We're an Inclusive employer. We celebrate and value different backgrounds and cultures across Royal London. Our diverse people and perspectives give us a range of skills which are recognised and respected - whatever their background.