Head of Operational Risk

Harvey Nash UK; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 64,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvey Nash Group in Edinburgh is seeking an experienced Head of Operational Risk to lead and strengthen the Bank's operational risk framework during a period of continued growth and regulatory focus.

Reporting to the Chief Risk Officer, this high‑profile role will provide strategic leadership across risk management, embedding robust control environments and ensuring compliance with regulatory expectations.

Qualifications

• Significant operational risk experience within regulated financial services.
• Experience at Head of Risk or Senior ORM level.
• Strong understanding of risk frameworks, governance and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational risk function and SME for operational risk across the Bank.
• Maintain and enhance the operational risk framework, policies and governance processes.
• Oversee risk identification, assessment, monitoring and reporting activities.
• Ensure RCSA processes are embedded across the organisation.
• Manage operational risk events, issues and actions through to resolution.
• Produce high-quality risk reporting for committees and senior stakeholders.
• Challenge and support business areas in risk management.
• Lead scenario analysis, risk appetite monitoring and KRI reporting.
• Support regulatory engagement and ensure compliance with risk management expectations.
• Collaborate with Internal Audit, Compliance and business leaders to foster risk culture.

Skills

Operational risk leadership

Regulatory knowledge

RCSA processes

Stakeholder management

Risk reporting to execs

Job description

Head of Operational Risk | 6 Month / Edinburgh (Hybrid) | Inside IR35

Rate: £400

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Head of Operational Risk to lead and strengthen the Bank's operational risk framework during a period of continued growth and regulatory focus.

Reporting into the Chief Risk Officer, this role will provide strategic leadership across operational risk management, ensuring the Bank maintains a robust control environment while supporting business objectives and regulatory requirements.

This is a high-profile position requiring deep financial services experience and a proven track record of implementing and embedding operational risk frameworks within regulated environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the operational risk function and act as the subject matter expert for operational risk across the Bank
• Maintain and enhance the operational risk framework, policies and governance processes
• Oversee risk identification, assessment, monitoring and reporting activities
• Ensure robust Risk and Control Self-Assessment (RCSA) processes are embedded across the organisation
• Manage operational risk events, issues and actions through to resolution
• Produce high-quality risk reporting for Executive Committees, Board Risk Committees and senior stakeholders
• Challenge and support business areas in the management of operational risks
• Lead scenario analysis, risk appetite monitoring and key risk indicator (KRI) reporting
• Support regulatory engagement and ensure compliance with relevant risk management expectations
• Work closely with Internal Audit, Compliance and business leaders to drive a strong risk culture
• Provide leadership and mentoring to risk team members where applicable

Essential Experience

• Significant operational risk experience within a regulated financial services environment
• Experience operating at Head of Risk, Senior Operational Risk Manager or equivalent level
• Strong understanding of operational risk frameworks, governance and risk management best practice
• Experience presenting risk matters to Executive and Board-level stakeholders
• Demonstrable experience of implementing and improving risk and control frameworks
• Strong knowledge of risk assessments, controls testing, incident management and risk reporting
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills

Desirable Experience

• Banking, investment banking, asset management or wider financial services experience
• Knowledge of PRA, FCA and broader UK regulatory expectations
• Experience within a development bank, public sector financial institution or investment organisation
• Relevant professional qualifications (IRM, ICA, PRM, FRM or equivalent)