Senior Operational Risk Manager

BWD Search & Selection; Leeds; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

BWD Search are mandating a Senior Risk Manager role for a leading industry provider. You will lead the development and implementation of organisation-wide risk management standards, ensuring robust governance across pensions, investments and broader financial services.

The role combines strategic leadership with advisory support, risk reporting and embedding risk culture, working with the Board and Executive Team to drive risk-informed decision making.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in risk management within an occupational pensions, institutional investment or similarly regulated financial services environment.
• Strong understanding of how regulatory, political, reputational, investment and legal risks affect a complex organisation.
• Proven experience implementing, operating and embedding Governance, Risk and Compliance tools or platforms.
• Deep practical knowledge of risk advisory, risk assurance, control assessment, trend identification and mitigation techniques.
• Detailed knowledge of relevant pensions and financial services regulation, including applicable regulatory rulebooks, codes and legislation.
• A track record of advising and constructively challenging senior stakeholders, with the confidence to influence decisions and achieve positive outcomes.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, including the ability to present complex risk matters clearly to different audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, evolution and continuous improvement of the enterprise Risk Management Framework, ensuring it remains effective and aligned to needs.
• Own and develop risk policies, playbooks, standards and tools, embedding risk practices across the organisation.
• Lead risk advisory and risk assurance activity, supporting the definition of risk appetite and providing independent challenge.
• Set the strategic direction for the Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) platform and oversee its adoption.
• Act as a trusted senior risk adviser to the Board, Executive Team and governance committees.
• Provide expert risk oversight for strategic initiatives, ensuring risks are identified and managed within appetite.
• Define and oversee risk reporting and Key Risk Indicator frameworks with forward-looking insights.
• Design and operate service assurance frameworks with internal teams and third-party providers.

Skills

Risk Management

Governance

Regulatory Knowledge

Stakeholder Management

GRC Tools

Risk Advisory

Risk Assurance

Communication Skills

Education

Degree-level education

Risk management qualification

Institute of Risk Management Diploma

CISI / CeMAP / CII / CIPP

Tools

GRC software

Regulatory reporting tools

Job description

BWD Search have been mandated on a Senior Risk Manager role for a leading industry provider.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Risk Manager to lead the development and implementation of organisation-wide risk management standards. You will ensure robust governance and consistent identification, assessment, management and reporting of material risks, aligned with agreed risk appetite. The role combines strategic leadership, independent challenge, advisory support and practical delivery across pensions, investment and wider financial services activities.

What you will do

• Lead the design, evolution and continuous improvement of the enterprise Risk Management Framework, ensuring it remains effective, proportionate and aligned to business and client needs.
• Own and develop risk policies, playbooks, standards and supporting tools, ensuring risk practices are clearly defined, understood and embedded across the organisation.
• Lead risk advisory and risk assurance activity, supporting the definition of risk appetite and providing independent challenge, oversight and assurance.
• Set the strategic direction for the Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) platform, overseeing implementation, adoption and continuous optimisation across all business areas.
• Act as a trusted senior risk adviser to the Board, Executive Team, governance committees and relevant client or trustee stakeholders.
• Provide expert risk oversight for strategic initiatives, business change and new propositions, ensuring risks are identified, assessed and managed within appetite.
• Define and oversee risk reporting and Key Risk Indicator frameworks, delivering timely and forward‑looking insight on current and emerging risks.
• Design and operate service assurance frameworks with internal teams and third‑party providers, establishing robust controls and independently auditable assurance arrangements.
• Build organisational risk capability through education, coaching and awareness programmes for colleagues and senior stakeholders.
• Champion a positive, risk‑intelligent culture that supports confident, informed decision‑making and appropriate risk‑taking.

What we are looking for

• Extensive experience in risk management within an occupational pensions, institutional investment or similarly regulated financial services environment.
• Strong understanding of how regulatory, political, reputational, investment and legal risks affect a complex organisation.
• Proven experience implementing, operating and embedding Governance, Risk and Compliance tools or platforms.
• Deep practical knowledge of risk advisory, risk assurance, control assessment, trend identification and mitigation techniques.
• Detailed knowledge of relevant pensions and financial services regulation, including applicable regulatory rulebooks, codes and legislation.
• A track record of advising and constructively challenging senior stakeholders, with the confidence to influence decisions and achieve positive outcomes.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, including the ability to present complex risk matters clearly to different audiences.
• Strong analytical judgement, decisiveness and the ability to develop pragmatic solutions where established procedures may not exist.
• A commitment to high standards, personal ownership and producing work that can withstand robust scrutiny.

Qualifications

Degree‑level education or equivalent professional experience.

Relevant industry experience and/or a recognised risk‑related qualification.

A qualification in risk management and/or the Institute of Risk Management Diploma.

Additional relevant business or financial services qualifications, such as CISI, CeMAP, CII or CIPP.

If you are interested in being considered for this opportunity then please forwards your cv to arrange a conversation. [e-mail]