Head of Operational Risk UK (m/f/d)

Cello; London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial services company in London is seeking a risk management professional to ensure compliance with UK regulations and enhance the risk culture. This role involves implementing risk frameworks, managing vendors, and preparing for audits. The ideal candidate has over 5 years in risk management and strong communication skills. The position offers competitive compensation and the flexibility to work remotely.

Benefits

Attractive remuneration

Flexibility to work remotely

Company card for meals and coffee

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience in risk management, operational resilience, compliance, or internal controls in a regulated financial services or fintech environment.
• Solid understanding of FCA expectations for EMIs, particularly around SYSC, outsourcing, and operational resilience.
• Strong background in managing vendor risks, experience in operational resilience frameworks, and outsourcing governance.

Responsibilities

• Implement key components of the UK Risk Management Framework.
• Prepare for internal and external audits and respond to regulatory inquiries as needed.
• Lead development and implementation of impact tolerance assessments and important business services mapping.

Skills

Risk management

Compliance

Operational resilience

Vendor management

Project management

Job description

ABOUT US

Since 2020, Pliant has been on a mission to rethink credit cards and empower companies to grow by providing a smart way to pay that scale with their business. With our app and API-based solutions, Pliant allows companies to issue physical and virtual credit cards, automate payment processes, track spending, and seamlessly integrate these data into their finance stack.

Pliant is growing quickly. With our expansion into 30 international markets, we believe that people, passion, and diversity are the key ingredients to our future success. Our growing team of 200+ Plianteers come from 35 nationalities and work remotely or in a hybrid environment from our headquarters in the heart of Berlin. And we’re looking for more talented and committed people to join us on our journey!

Want to learn more ? Who are Pliant

ABOUT THE ROLE

You will be instrumental in ensuring our UK entity meets regulatory expectations under the UK E-Money Regulations, FCA Operational Resilience framework, and relevant outsourcing and risk management standards. In close collaboration with both our international risk function and UK leadership, you will help embed a resilient and effective risk culture at Pliant. This is an ideal role for someone with deep experience in financial services risk management who enjoys working in a high-growth, tech-driven environment.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Risk Framework & Governance

• Lead or support the implementation of key components of the UK Risk Management Framework, including:
  • Regular risk assessments (compliance, operational, financial, and IT risk).
  • Updates to the risk register and controls mapping.
  • Facilitation of UK-specific risk & compliance committee sessions.

Regulatory Compliance Support

• Prepare for internal and external audits, and respond to regulatory enquiries as needed.

Vendor & Outsourcing Risk Management:

• Own and maintain the outsourcing register and ensure compliance with FCA SYSC and Operational Resilience requirements.
• Conduct vendor risk assessments, oversee initial and ongoing due diligence, and ensure exit and contingency planning is documented.

• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure robust vendor oversight practices are in place and auditable.

Operational Resilience & Business Continuity

• Lead the development and implementation of impact tolerance assessments, important business services mapping, and scenario testing under FCA's Operational Resilience regime.
• Work closely with business units to embed response, recovery, and communication plans across the UK entity.

Training, Culture & Documentation

• Promote a strong culture of compliance and risk awareness through tailored training, guidance materials, and communication campaigns.
• Draft and update risk and compliance policies, procedures, and playbooks relevant to the UK business.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• 5+ years’ experience in risk management, operational resilience, compliance, or internal controls in a regulated financial services or fintech environment.
• Solid understanding of FCA expectations for EMIs, particularly around SYSC, outsourcing, and operational resilience.
• Strong background in managing vendor risks, ideally with experience in operational resilience frameworks and outsourcing governance.
• Exposure to wind-down planning, business continuity, and scenario analysis.
• Excellent project management and documentation skills; capable of working cross-functionally with legal, compliance, operations, product, and engineering teams.
• Clear and confident communicator, able to engage senior stakeholders and articulate risk positions concisely.
• Familiarity with ISO 27001, PCI DSS, or other security standards is a plus.
• Self-starter with high attention to detail, strong judgment, and a pragmatic, business-oriented mindset.

WHAT WE OFFER

• The opportunity to work in a growing team with big responsibilities that thrives on a strong exchange of knowledge and excellence
• Attractive remuneration
• Your choice of preferred OS, Windows or Mac
• Flat hierarchy and transparent communication in a relaxed, professional atmosphere
• Opportunity to develop your talent in a dynamic team with ambitious goals
• Flexibility and possibility to work remotely
• Company card with a monthly allowance for lunches, coffee, etc. with co-work