Risk Graduate Schemes - Operational Risk or Compliance

NFU Mutual; Stratford-upon-Avon; Hybrid; GBP 33,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus up to 10%

Contributory pension up to 20%

23 days annual leave

Job summary

NFU Mutual invites you to join its 2027 Risk Graduate Scheme in Stratford-upon-Avon. Over three years, you’ll gain hands-on experience identifying and managing risks while developing specialist knowledge in information security, business continuity, and compliance.

The programme includes professional qualifications, mentoring and structured progression. You’ll work in a collaborative environment with hybrid working, supporting risk management across the business and building your career with NFU

Qualifications

• At least a 2:2 degree in any subject.
• Strong analytical and communication abilities.
• Interest in risk, cyber security, resilience or compliance is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Gain hands-on experience identifying, managing and responding to key business risks.
• Support work across information security, business continuity, enterprise risk, compliance and financial crime.
• Contribute to real projects and work toward professional qualifications during the three-year scheme.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Problem solving

Education

2:2 degree

Job description

Scheme summary

Launch your career with our 2027 Risk Graduate Scheme, offering two unique opportunities for progression. Gain hands‑on experience helping NFU Mutual identify, manage and respond to key business risks. Develop specialist knowledge across areas such as information security, business continuity and enterprise risk, or compliance, regulatory assurance and financial crime Build your career through a structured three-year scheme, with professional qualifications, mentoring and graduate support.

Scheme Summary Salary - £33,000 + up to 10% annual bonus + annual pay Start date – September 2027 Scheme length – 3 years Location – Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire with hybrid working depending on business needs Criteria – You’ll need at least a 2:2 degree in any subject.

About the scheme

Our Risk Division helps NFU Mutual understand, manage and respond to risk across the business. On this three‑year graduate scheme, you’ll become an important part of our work to manage risk across NFU Mutual. You’ll learn how we protect our customers, our people and our business from different types of risk, including strategic, financial and operational risks. You’ll also support work that helps NFU Mutual make safe, responsible and well‑informed decisions. You’ll be part of a supportive team and work on real projects from early in the scheme. You’ll also have the opportunity to work towards professional qualifications, depending on your placement and interests. These may include:
CII Certificate in Insurance (Chartered Insurance Institute) ISC2 Cyber Security Qualification – for those interested in cyber security CBCI (Certificate in Business Continuity) – for those focusing on resilience and business continuity CIPP/E (Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe) – for those interested in data protection IRM Certificate (Institute of Risk Management) – for those interested in enterprise risk CII Diploma in Insurance (Chartered Insurance Institute) – for those interested in compliance and regulatory risk ICA Certificate in Financial Crime Prevention (International Compliance Association) – for those interested in financial crime

Working environment

You’ll join a collaborative and supportive environment where people are encouraged to share knowledge, ask questions and explore new ways of thinking. You’ll work with different teams across NFU Mutual and have opportunities to learn from managers at different levels. As you build your skills, you’ll make a real impact by helping to protect our organisation, support good decision‑making and strengthen how we manage risk across the business. You’ll be based in Stratford‑upon‑Avon, with hybrid working depending on business needs. Regular office time will help you collaborate with your team and learn from experienced colleagues. We’ll support your career development throughout the scheme with a structured plan, regular performance reviews and the potential for competitive salary increases and progression.

Please note this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship as it does not fulfil the criteria set by the Home Office. This is a three‑year programme. Candidates must have, or be able to obtain, permission to work in the UK in a way that enables them to undertake the role and complete the programme.

What you can expect

Information Security and Business Continuity Information Security and Business Continuity play a vital role in protecting our information, our operations and the long‑term resilience of the business. We help safeguard critical systems and data from evolving threats while ensuring the organisation can continue to serve customers and recover effectively when disruptions occur. Over the three‑year scheme, you’ll learn about different areas of risk and take on a wide range of responsibilities, including:
Reviewing security controls to help protect NFU Mutual from cyber threats and other risks
Supporting business continuity planning, so we’re prepared for a range of disruptions, from cyber‑attacks to market changes, and can keep important services running
Helping to develop and test plans for operational resilience
Supporting work that keeps our data protection measures up to date
Helping us respond to changes in regulation across the insurance industry
Working with different teams across NFU Mutual, from IT specialists to senior leaders
Using critical thinking and problem‑solving skills to understand risks and recommend practical actions
Sharing updates, explaining findings and communicating clearly with stakeholders

Compliance and Regulatory Risk Group

Compliance plays a vital role in building and protecting the trust that customers place in NFU Mutual. By working across the business to navigate regulation, provide expert advice and challenge, and manage risk effectively, we help ensure the delivery of good customer outcomes whilst safeguarding the integrity, reputation and long‑term success of the business. Over the three‑year scheme, you’ll learn about different areas of compliance and take on a wide range of responsibilities, including:
Understanding the end‑to‑end process for horizon scanning and managing regulatory publications and change
Supporting with business partnering, compliance advice and consultancy services to the wider business and senior managers
Supporting the financial crime team in protecting our customers and the business from fraud, financial crime and regulatory breaches
Supporting with assurance activity, providing challenge and support to the business that they are managing customer, conduct and other risks effectively
Supporting transformational projects and workstreams across Group Compliance to ensure our approach remains future‑proof and subject to continuous improvement
Developing technical expertise on the FCA Handbook and other regulation
Developing broad knowledge of NFU Mutual and the Insurance Industry, working towards qualifications from the ICA and CII

Your future

This scheme is designed to help you build your skills, and work towards recognised qualifications. We’ll support you to gain the knowledge and experience you need for a successful career. You’ll be supported by experienced colleagues, a dedicated buddy and a mentor who will help you maximise your development and career opportunities. You’ll also be part of a strong graduate community, with opportunities to connect with current and former graduates, build your network and learn from others on similar schemes. As you come towards the end of the scheme, a careers coach will help you think about your next role and plan your next steps. It’s not all about work either. We encourage our graduates to get involved in extracurricular activities, from volunteering and organising charity or social events to representing NFU Mutual at industry events, all in line with our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework.

What we're looking for

Qualifications and skills You’ll need to have achieved, or be on track for, at least a 2:2 degree. We welcome applications from any degree background. You don’t need to have studied risk, compliance, cyber security or business continuity. We’ll help you build the knowledge you need. What matters most is your curiosity, willingness to learn and interest in how organisations manage risk. If you enjoy working with detail, solving problems and thinking carefully about complex information, this could be a great scheme for you. To help you succeed on the scheme, you’ll bring:
Communication and interpersonal skills – explaining information clearly and working well with different stakeholders
Organisational skills – managing your work and balancing internal and external deadlines
Analytical insight - reviewing complex information, identifying key points and using them to support decisions.
Stakeholder engagement - confident building relationships and working with different audiences.
Problem solving - understanding problems, thinking through options and finding practical ways forward.
Creativity and initiative - exploring new ideas and looking for better ways to do things

Work experience

Industry experience or a placement year would be a real advantage, but it isn’t essential. What matters most is that you’ve had some experience of work where you’ve been able to interact with people, build your communication skills and learn how to work well with others.

Application Process

If your application is shortlisted, there are three stages:
Online assessment – to help us understand how you learn and solve problems.
Video interview – a short interview to learn more about you.
Assessment centre – an in‑person day where you’ll take part in activities such as a group exercise, a role‑specific tack and a skills‑based interview. The assessment centre will be held at our Head Office in Stratford -Upon -Avon, Warwickshire on 24th November. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. We’ll work with you to understand what support would help you perform at your best.

Benefits and Rewards

When you join our team, you can expect a supportive culture and an attractive range of rewards and benefits including:
Salary - £33,000
Annual bonus (up to 10% of salary)
Contributory pension scheme, up to 20%, including your 8% contribution
25 days annual leave + bank holidays + buy/sell/save holiday trading scheme
A Family Friendly policy that helps you balance your work and family responsibilities
Access to savings at High Street brands, travel and supermarkets
£20 contribution to a monthly gym membership – subject to T&Cs
Health and wellbeing plan – cashback for dentist, opticians, physio and more
Access to voluntary benefits, including health assessments, private medical insurance and dental insurance
Employee Volunteering - volunteer in the community for one day each year
Unlimited access to Refer a Friend £500 bonus scheme
Life Assurance cover of 4 x salary
Employee discounts of 15% on a range of NFU Mutual insurance policies.

Working at NFU Mutual

We’re one of the UK’s leading general insurance and financial services companies. For over 110 years we’ve put our customers at the heart of everything we do. Our people are just as important to us. We pride ourselves on being “a great place to work” and we're one of only 60 companies across the globe to receive a Gallup Exceptional Workplace 2024 award, and one of only 2 companies to receive the award for the ninth consecutive year. We were also named in the LinkedIn Top 25 Companies List 2021, the Glassdoor Best Places to Work UK List 2023 and 2024, and were recognised as a certified UK Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute in 2023 and 2024. We offer a supportive culture where we empower and inspire our people to perform, offer them opportunities to grow, and recognise and reward their contribution. Our people are proud to work for a company that respects them and their communities, and they trust us to be financially sustainable, so we are successful now and in the future.