Senior Manager - Operational Risk (1st Line)

TN United Kingdom; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative financial institution is seeking a Senior Manager for their 1st Line of Defence Risk Function. This role is pivotal in managing operational risks while collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure compliance with the bank's risk appetite. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a deep understanding of retail banking, and a passion for driving change. Join a dynamic team that is redefining finance and making a significant impact on customer experience. If you're ready to embrace unconventional challenges and lead a team towards excellence, this opportunity is for you.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of retail banking and operational risk.
• Proven experience in managing risks in financial services.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of risk professionals across product areas.
• Identify and manage operational risks effectively.

Skills

Operational Risk Management

Team Leadership

Regulatory Framework Awareness

Stakeholder Management

Communication Skills

Education

Degree in Finance or Related Field

Professional Risk Management Certification

Job description

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Client:

Zopa

Location:

London, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

e268b62da399

Job Views:

7

Posted:

05.05.2025

Expiry Date:

19.06.2025

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Job Description:

Our Story Hello there. We’re Zopa. We started our journey back in 2005, building the first ever peer-to-peer lending company. Fast forward to 2020 and we launched Zopa Bank. A bank that listens to what our customers don’t like about finance and does the opposite. We’re redefining what it feels like to work in finance. Our vision for a new era of banking puts people front and centre — we’ve built a business that empowers everyone to aim high, every day, to move finance forward. Find out more about our fantastic offerings at !We’re incredibly proud of our achievements and none of it would be possible without the amazing team here. It’s not just industry awards we’re winning, we’ve also been named in the top three UK’s Most Loved Workplaces. If you embrace unconventional challenges, are unafraid to think differently and are driven to make an outsized impact, you’ll thrive here at Zopa, so join us, and make it count. Want to see us in action? Follow us on Instagram @zopalife

The 1st Line of Defence (1LOD) Risk Function is responsible for managing risks across the organisation, working closely with cross-business stakeholders and adopting the bank’s risk framework to embed effective and efficient risk management into everything we do. We are looking for a Senior Manager to partner with our Product areas (ranging from current accounts, deposits to lending) to identify, assess, and manage operational risks. The role offers an exciting opportunity for an operational risk specialist motivated by driving change, leading teams, and contributing to responsible growth and a customer-centric experience.

A day in the life:

1. Report to the Director of Business Risk and collaborate with stakeholders across the three lines of defence to ensure Zopa operates within risk appetite through appropriate controls.
2. Lead a team of risk professionals supporting various product areas.
3. Identify risk areas and possess strong knowledge of operational risks and controls.
4. Define solutions that are smart, sustainable (automated controls), and holistic.
5. Manage interdependencies to support timely and high-quality delivery of solutions and change initiatives.
6. Ensure timely MI and reporting to enable risk-based decision-making.

About you:

1. Experienced risk leader with a strong understanding of retail banking and team leadership skills.
2. Proven experience managing operational risk in financial services, fintech, or consultancy sectors.
3. Good awareness of regulatory frameworks and eagerness to learn about evolving regulations like Payments and Consumer Duty.
4. Ability to lead stakeholders, support change, and improve risk practices.
5. Technical, outcome-oriented, and capable of applying risk frameworks for optimal outcomes.
6. Strong communication skills to articulate issues and gain buy-in.
7. Passionate about risk environment improvements and team support.
8. Knowledgeable and a point of contact for risk-related queries across teams.
9. Guide teams in risk assessments and fostering a risk-aware culture.

Bonus points for:

• Knowledge of payments, fraud, and financial crime risk.
• Experience with automated and tech-driven change projects.