Operational Risk Officer

Leasys S.p.A.; Coventry; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work (home-based with Coventry)

Bonus: 8.5%

Job summary

Leasys S.p.A. is seeking an Operational Risk Management (ORM) Senior Specialist to join the Risk Oversight team. You will provide second-line support across operational risk, AML, and fraud controls, ensuring governance and independent challenge while guiding 1LoD.

This role emphasizes customer-centric risk practices and robust issue management, with a 2‑day in-office arrangement in Coventry. You will oversee RCSA activities, ITP development, and reporting to senior leadership, with data-driven

Qualifications

• Essential: University degree (or equivalent) in Business, Finance, Risk Management, or related discipline.
• Experience: Minimum 3–5 years in operational risk management, internal control frameworks, or governance in financial services or leasing/auto finance.
• Proven track record of leading risk and control assessments and implementing robust risk frameworks.
• Acting as a delegate for senior management during absences, showing leadership.
• Mentoring team members and guiding risk-related activities.
• Driving strategic initiatives to strengthen risk culture and improve controls.
• Hands-on experience in back-office operations, incident management and root cause analysis.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the Risk & Control Self-Assessment (RCSA) process and perform Check & Challenge reviews.
• Review local policies to align with corporate risk management objectives.
• Develop and report on the ORM Independent Testing Plan (ITP).
• Prepare and deliver Operational Risk reporting to senior management and governance committees.
• Support Historical Incidents management and ensure data quality and timely closure.
• Build collaborative relationships across departments to promote risk practices.
• Coordinate cross-functional risk initiatives and ensure best-practice sharing.
• Represent the Risk Oversight team in key meetings and provide expert guidance on complex matters.

Skills

Analytical skills

Stakeholder engagement

Risk governance

2LoD collaboration

Communication

Data analysis

Education

University degree in Business/Finance

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Back Office systems

Job description

The Operational Risk Management (ORM) Senior Specialist operates within the Risk Oversight team, conducting a wide range of Second Line of Defence (2LoD) activities to ensure robust risk governance across the business. The role provides expert support to the First Line of Defence (1LoD), ensuring operational risks are effectively identified, assessed, monitored, and managed. The position requires strong analytical skills, autonomy, and stakeholder engagement across multiple business areas to drive continuous improvement in risk practices.

The role also provides second line oversight of Financial Crime risks, including Anti‑Money Laundering (AML) and Fraud, ensuring appropriate governance, independent challenge, and assurance over first line controls, risk assessments, and issue management.

The Operational Risk Management (ORM) Senior Specialist ensures that all operational risk activities support the organisation’s compliance with Consumer Duty, embedding customer‑centric risk practices and promoting good outcomes for customers across the business.

Bonus: 8.5%

Location: Home based with 2 days working in the office – Coventry

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Participate in the Risk & Control Self-Assessment (RCSA) process, performing Check & Challenge reviews, providing feedback to 1LoD and Heads of Department, and raising Permanent Control Actions (PCAs) as needed.
• Review and challenge local policies and procedures to ensure alignment with corporate strategy and operational risk management objectives.
• Develop, execute, and report on the annual ORM Independent Testing Plan (ITP), including issue identification and follow-up.
• Prepare, analyse, and deliver Operational Risk and Control reporting to senior management and relevant governance committees.
• Support Operational Permanent Controllers in managing Historical Incidents, ensuring data quality and timely closure.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships across departments and functions to promote effective risk management practices.
• Coordinate and contribute to cross‑functional risk initiatives, ensuring best practice sharing and consistency in ORM frameworks.
• Represent the Risk Oversight team in key business meetings, deputising for senior members when required.
• Provide expert guidance on complex operational risk matters, acting as a subject matter resource for the wider organisation.
• Identify and contribute to process and control improvements across ORM processes and systems.

Financial Crime (AML & Fraud) – Second Line Oversight

• Provide second line oversight and effective challenge of the firm’s AML and Fraud risk framework, including governance arrangements, policies, and key controls.
• Review and challenge AML and Fraud Risk Assessments prepared by the First Line of Defence, ensuring risks are appropriately identified, assessed, and documented in line with the firm’s risk appetite.
• Perform independent testing and thematic reviews of key AML and Fraud controls, in line with the annual ORM Independent Testing Plan.
• Oversee and challenge the management of AML and Fraud‑related incidents, ensuring appropriate root cause analysis, remediation actions, and timely closure.
• Review AML and Fraud management information (MI) and key risk indicators (KRIs), identifying trends, emerging risks, or control weaknesses and escalating where appropriate.
• Support the embedding of Consumer Duty considerations into AML and Fraud control oversight, ensuring financial crime controls operate proportionately and do not result in foreseeable customer harm.
• Act as a second line subject matter point of contact for AML and Fraud matters, working closely with Compliance, Risk, and relevant business owners.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• The ORM Senior Specialist works autonomously and is empowered to identify opportunities for performance improvement and process efficiency.
• Regular interaction with local and transversal Risk teams, 1LoD and 2LoD partners, and business management.
• Provides timely, accurate information and risk insights through monthly reporting and ad‑hoc requests.

ABILITY AND SKILLS PROFILE:

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities, with attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to influence and challenge effectively.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Proven ability to build effective working relationships across all levels of the organisation.
• Facilitation and presentation skills, with the ability to lead meetings and training sessions.
• Self‑motivated, proactive, and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrates sound judgment and a methodical, systematic approach to work.
• Ability to provide robust, independent challenge on AML and Fraud risks, balancing regulatory expectations with proportionality and business practicality.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Essential: University degree (or equivalent level qualification) in Business, Finance, Risk Management, or a related discipline.
• Experience: Minimum 3–5 years of progressive experience in operational risk management, internal control frameworks, or governance within financial services or leasing/auto finance.
• Proven track record of:
• Leading risk and control assessments and implementing robust operational risk frameworks.
• Acting as a delegate for senior management during absence periods, demonstrating decision‑making authority and leadership capability.
• Managing or mentoring team members, including providing guidance and oversight on risk‑related activities.
• Driving strategic initiatives to strengthen risk culture and improve control environments across multiple business units.
• Operational expertise: Hands‑on experience in back‑office operations, including process optimization, incident management, and root cause analysis.
• Governance and reporting: Ability to prepare and present risk reports to senior stakeholders and contribute to governance committees.
• Technical skills: Strong knowledge of Back Office systems, Microsoft Office suite, and risk management tools; ability to leverage data for risk analysis and reporting.
• Desirable: Experience in auto finance or leasing sector; familiarity with regulatory requirements and industry best practices, including AML and Fraud risk governance and second line assurance practices.
• Experience of second line oversight of AML and/or Fraud risk within a regulated financial services environment, including review of risk assessments, controls, incidents, and management information.

IT SKILLS PROFILE:

• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with operational risk management systems and data analysis tools.
• Ability to compile and interpret management information using digital and data tools.

Data Privacy

By submitting your CV, you acknowledge that Leasys will retain your personal information for up to 12 months for the purpose of considering you for relevant future opportunities. Your information will be handled in accordance with our Candidate Privacy Notice and applicable data protection requirements. Your details will be deleted at the end of the 12-month retention period in line with our data retention processes, unless there is a lawful reason to retain them for longer.

Stellantis is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity and equal pay regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or gender identity. Stellantis are also accredited with the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award, that recognises organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to the armed forces community. Service Personnel and their families are therefore encouraged to apply. Please contact our recruitment team if you would like to discuss anything further or if you require any form of reasonable adjustments for any part of the recruitment process.