Risk Analyst - Pensions

BWD Search & Selection; Leeds; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

BWD Search & Selection is supporting an established UK financial services organisation to recruit a Risk Analyst focusing on pensions. You will work with a Senior Risk Manager to develop practical risk management across corporate and Trustee activities, gaining exposure to governance, committees and reporting.

Ideal candidates have some risk experience, strong analytical skills and a desire to build a long-term career in risk within a regulated environment, using Excel and data tools to identify

Qualifications

• Relevant experience in pensions or wider financial services, in risk, controls, governance, compliance, assurance or related area.
• Some practical experience of identifying, assessing, monitoring or reporting risk in a regulated environment.
• Understanding of corporate governance and risk-management principles; exposure to pension scheme Trustee governance is valuable.
• Strong analytical skills and confidence using Excel; experience with data tools beneficial.
• Clear written and verbal communication, ability to challenge stakeholders.
• Ability to prepare high-quality work, organise meetings and present to different audiences.
• Curiosity, judgement and commitment to a long-term career in risk management.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and administration of the risk management framework and core monitoring tools.
• Help business functions apply the framework consistently and escalate non-compliance.
• Analyse risk information to identify themes, trends, root causes and mitigations.
• Review policies, processes, systems and controls and support improvements.
• Assess risk implications of new products and business changes through governance.
• Collaborate with Trustee and corporate risk owners to maintain risk registers and actions.
• Prepare risk reporting for executives, Trustee bodies and risk committees.
• Support governance meetings and promote informed risk-taking across the organisation.

Skills

Pensions experience

Financial services risk

Excel

Stakeholder management

Governance

Education

Risk management qualification

Tools

Power Query

Risk systems

Job description

Risk Analyst - Financial Services and Pensions

A strong career-building opportunity for someone who wants to develop broad, practical experience in risk management within an established UK pensions organisation. You will work closely with a Senior Risk Manager and gain exposure to risk frameworks, Trustee governance, senior committees and decision-making across the wider business.

The opportunity

BWD Search & Selection is supporting an established financial services organisation with the appointment of a Risk Analyst.

The role will help to develop and maintain the organisation's risk management framework while supporting the identification, assessment and management of risk across both corporate and Trustee-governed activities. This position is particularly well suited to someone in the early stages of a risk career who has gained some relevant experience and now wants greater breadth, visibility and responsibility. You will learn how an enterprise risk function operates in practice and build confidence working with stakeholders at different levels of seniority.

Why this role will develop your risk career

• Work across a broad range of regulatory, operational, financial and reputational risks.
• Develop hands-on knowledge of risk registers, risk appetite, key controls, risk indicators and event reporting.
• Gain exposure to Trustee governance, executive reporting and formal risk committees.
• Build your analytical skills by identifying trends, root causes and areas requiring further mitigation.
• Strengthen your stakeholder management by supporting, influencing and constructively challenging colleagues.
• Contribute to improvements in the risk framework, controls and the organisation's wider risk culture.

Key responsibilities

• Support the continued development and administration of the risk management framework and its core monitoring tools.
• Help business and support functions understand and apply the framework consistently, escalating areas of non-compliance where appropriate.
• Analyse risk information and data to identify themes, trends, root causes and required mitigating actions.
• Review and challenge key policies, processes, systems and controls, and support improvements where needed.
• Assess the risk implications of new products and material business changes through the appropriate governance process.
• Work with Trustee and corporate risk owners to maintain accurate risk registers, controls, issues, events and action plans.
• Prepare clear risk reporting for executive management, Trustee bodies and risk committees.
• Support governance meetings and help promote informed risk-taking across the organisation.

What we are looking for

• Relevant experience in pensions or wider financial services, gained in risk, controls, governance, compliance, assurance or a closely related area.
• Some practical experience of identifying, assessing, monitoring or reporting risk in a regulated environment.
• An understanding of corporate governance and risk-management principles. Exposure to pension scheme Trustee governance would be particularly valuable.
• Strong analytical skills and confidence using Excel. Experience with Power Query, risk systems or other data tools would be beneficial.
• Clear written and verbal communication, with the confidence to work with and appropriately challenge stakeholders.
• The ability to prepare high-quality work, organise meetings or workshops and present information clearly to different audiences.
• Curiosity, sound judgement and a genuine commitment to building a long-term career in risk management.

Qualifications

A relevant qualification in risk management, governance, compliance, business continuity or financial services would be advantageous. Examples include an Institute of Risk Management qualification, MBCI, CISI, CII, CIPP or an equivalent professional pathway. Candidates who are actively working towards a relevant qualification are also encouraged to apply.