Operational Risk Management

Robert Walters; London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services organisation in London seeks a Director of Operational Risk Management to influence operational risk practices across multiple divisions. This role involves embedding a robust risk culture and collaborating with stakeholders to ensure compliance and governance standards. Ideal candidates will have substantial experience in operational risk management, particularly within regulated environments. A strong focus on collaboration and communication skills is essential for succeeding in this impactful position.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Personal development through training opportunities

Collaborative environment

Qualifications

• Over 10 years of experience in operational risk management within financial services.
• Demonstrable subject-matter expertise in Operations or business continuity.
• Ability to communicate complex risk concepts clearly.

Responsibilities

• Guide organisation's approach to operational risk across critical divisions.
• Facilitate risk assessments and conduct root cause investigations.
• Implement robust frameworks to safeguard against potential risks.

Skills

Operational risk

Risk culture

Governance

Stakeholder engagement

Business continuity

Process improvement

Risk assessment

Root cause analysis

Second line of defence

Risk framework

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

RSA Archer

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

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This range is provided by Robert Walters. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

Salary: Competitive and based on experience

Location: London

Keywords: Operational risk, Risk culture, Governance, Stakeholder engagement, Business continuity, Process improvement, Risk assessment, Root cause analysis, Second line of defence, Risk framework

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for a Director of Operational Risk Management to join a highly respected financial services organisation in London. This pivotal role offers you the chance to shape and influence operational risk practices across multiple business divisions, including Operations, Resilience, Workplace Services, Client Engagement, Product, and Human Resources. You will be at the forefront of embedding a robust risk culture, working closely with senior stakeholders and subject matter experts to ensure the highest standards of governance and compliance. The organisation is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where your expertise will be valued and your professional growth encouraged. With flexible working opportunities and a strong emphasis on collaboration, this is the ideal setting for someone who thrives on making a meaningful impact while enjoying a healthy work-life balance.

• Play a key role in shaping operational risk management across diverse business areas, ensuring best-in-class governance and compliance.
• Enjoy flexible working opportunities within a collaborative and supportive team that values knowledge sharing and professional development.
• Work directly with senior leaders and subject matter experts to drive process improvements and foster a positive risk culture throughout the organisation.

What you'll do:

As Director of Operational Risk Management, you will play an instrumental role in guiding the organisation's approach to operational risk across several critical divisions. Your day-to-day activities will involve close collaboration with both first line of defence teams and business partners to implement robust frameworks that safeguard against potential risks. You will facilitate comprehensive risk assessments, analyse incident trends, conduct root cause investigations, and champion initiatives that strengthen the overall risk culture. By acting as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and project teams alike, you will ensure that operational risks are identified early, managed effectively, and escalated appropriately when necessary. Your ability to communicate complex concepts clearly will help educate stakeholders at all levels about best practices in operational risk management. Through your efforts, you will contribute significantly to building an environment where proactive risk identification leads to tangible improvements in processes, controls, and ultimately organisational performance.

• Support ongoing enhancements to the operational risk management (ORM) and enterprise risk management (ERM) frameworks by educating and engaging stakeholders across various business units.
• Provide comprehensive second line of defence review and challenge across all components of the ORM framework, assisting partners in identifying process or control-related issues during risk self-assessments.
• Facilitate completion of business risk self-assessments and targeted operational risk assessments within projects, ensuring thoroughness and accuracy.
• Conduct root cause analyses on identified risk events, recommending actionable improvements to prevent recurrence and enhance organisational resilience.
• Analyse trends in key risk indicators, incidents, and issues management data reported to Risk Management, providing insights for continuous improvement.
• Promote a strong risk culture by actively participating in relevant governance forums such as the Operational Risk Council and managing relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Monitor adherence to the ORM framework, developing tools and communicating requirements to ensure compliance with policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Interface regularly with key stakeholders and senior management committees to provide updates on operational risks and escalate issues exceeding risk appetite as appropriate.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements that deliver increased operational efficiencies across business units.
• Participate in business project workstreams as an ORM subject matter expert, offering guidance and support throughout project lifecycles.

What you bring:

To excel as Director of Operational Risk Management, you will bring substantial hands-on experience from similar roles within financial services or other highly regulated sectors. Your background should include deep technical knowledge in operations or human resources functions-particularly around business continuity planning-and a history of successfully implementing comprehensive risk frameworks. You are adept at using technology platforms for governance, reporting, and analytics purposes. Your interpersonal skills allow you to build trust quickly with colleagues at every level; you are known for your dependability as well as your ability to explain complex ideas simply. A natural collaborator who values inclusivity and open communication, you thrive when working alongside others towards common goals but are equally comfortable taking initiative independently when needed. Your analytical mindset enables you not only to identify emerging risks but also propose practical solutions that drive real change. Above all else, your commitment to nurturing a positive workplace culture ensures that everyone feels supported in their efforts toward effective risk management.

• Demonstrable subject-matter expertise in Operations, Human Resources, or business continuity and recovery-related disciplines with a deep understanding of industry standards and anticipated areas of risk.
• Extensive experience-ideally 10 years or more-in operational risk management within financial services or similarly regulated environments.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio as well as familiarity with RSA Archer or similar GRC platforms; experience with reporting tools such as Power BI or Tableau is highly desirable.
• Excellent judgement coupled with strong decision-making abilities that enable you to assess complex situations thoughtfully and recommend effective solutions.
• Outstanding communication skills with proven ability to influence stakeholders at all levels through clear articulation of risks and recommendations.
• A collaborative approach that fosters teamwork while maintaining professionalism in all interactions both internally and externally.
• Ability to work independently when required while also thriving as part of a wider team focused on shared objectives.
• Experience facilitating enterprise-wide risk assessments along with delivering education or training sessions related to operational risk topics.
• Track record of identifying process improvement opportunities leading to enhanced efficiency or effectiveness within previous roles.
• Commitment to upholding high ethical standards while promoting transparency throughout all aspects of operational risk management.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out for its unwavering dedication to fostering an inclusive workplace where every voice is heard and valued. Employees benefit from flexible working arrangements designed to promote work-life balance without compromising on professional achievement. The company places great emphasis on personal development through regular training opportunities-empowering staff members at all levels to expand their knowledge base continually. Collaboration is woven into the fabric of daily operations; teams work together seamlessly across departments so that everyone can share insights freely while supporting one another's success. Leadership is approachable yet knowledgeable-always ready to offer guidance or encouragement whenever it's needed most. As part of this forward-thinking environment, you'll find yourself surrounded by passionate professionals who genuinely care about making a difference both inside the company walls and beyond them into the wider community.

What's next:

If you are ready to take your career in operational risk management to new heights within an organisation that truly values your expertise and supports your growth ambitions, this is your moment.

Apply today by clicking on the link provided-your next rewarding challenge awaits!

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Finance

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