Senior Operational Risk Manager

Skipton Building Society; South Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual discretionary bonus

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Matching pension contribution

Private medical insurance

Flexible working

Wellbeing app

Discounts on Skipton products

Job summary

Skipton Building Society is seeking a Senior Operational Risk Manager to lead a high-performing risk team and provide independent second line oversight across technology, cyber security, resilience, data and change risk. You will influence senior stakeholders and shape risk reporting to the Board.

The role requires deep knowledge of risk frameworks, governance and regulatory requirements, with a collaborative leadership style and focus on continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Second line oversight across operational risks including technology, cyber security, resilience, data and third party risk.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders with clear business insights and actions.
• Knowledge of operational risk frameworks, governance, risk appetite and regulatory requirements.
• Experience developing risk frameworks, leading assurance activities and challenging first line teams.
• Strong analytical, reporting and communication skills for executive audiences.
• Collaborative, pragmatic leader with relationship-building and coaching abilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide second line oversight, challenge and assurance across operational risks, focusing on technology, cyber security, resilience, data, third party and change risk.
• Act as SME, advising senior stakeholders on complex risk issues.
• Support and challenge first line teams to identify, assess and manage risks with strong controls.
• Deliver risk reporting and updates to senior leadership, Risk Committees and the Board.
• Drive continuous improvement across risk frameworks, governance, reporting and practices.
• Provide inspirational leadership to the second line team.

Skills

Operational risk management

Technology risk

Cyber security

Risk governance

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Executive/board reporting

Leadership

Job description

Hours:Full time, permanentClosing Date:Fri, 2 Oct 2026Job introduction Play a key role in shaping and strengthening the Society's risk management approach by providing independent second line oversight, challenge and assurance across a broad range of operational risks. With a particular focus on complex and emerging areas such as technology, cyber security, operational resilience, data, third party risk and business change, you'll deliver expert insight, influence decision making at a senior level, and help ensure risks are managed effectively within the Society's Risk Appetite.

What You’ll Do

As a Senior Operational Risk Manager you will inspire and develop a high performing Operational Risk team through effective leadership, coaching and a commitment to continuous improvement.

• Provide second line oversight, challenge and assurance across operational risks, with a focus on technology, cyber security, operational resilience, data, third party and change risk.
• Act as a trusted subject matter expert, offering guidance, challenge and strategic advice to senior stakeholders on complex and emerging risk issues.
• Support and challenge first line teams to identify, assess and manage risks effectively, ensuring strong controls and informed decision making.
• Deliver insightful risk reporting, analysis and updates to senior leadership, Risk Committees and the Board, highlighting key themes, trends and emerging threats.
• Drive continuous improvement across risk frameworks, governance, reporting and risk management practices, while supporting regulatory and strategic initiatives.
• Provide inspirational leadership to the second line operational risk team, aligned to our organisational behaviours.

What You’ll Need

• Strong expertise across the operational risk landscape including technology, cyber security, operational resilience, third party risk and business change, with the ability to provide effective second line oversight, challenge and assurance.
• Proven experience supporting and influencing senior stakeholders, translating complex risk matters into clear business insights, actions and recommendations.
• In depth knowledge of operational risk frameworks, governance, risk appetite, assurance methodologies and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Experience developing and enhancing risk frameworks, leading assurance activities, and challenging first line teams on complex risk matters.
• Strong analytical, reporting and communication skills, including producing high quality risk reporting for Executive and Board level audiences.
• A collaborative and pragmatic approach, with a track record of building strong relationships, coaching colleagues, driving continuous improvement and strengthening risk culture.

What’s In It For You

• Annual discretionary bonus scheme
• 25 days standard annual leave + bank holidays + rising 1 day per year of service to a max of 30 days
• Matching employer pension contribution (up to 10% per annum)
• Colleague Mortgages and access to Skipton products and services at discounted rates
• Flexible working to help balance your commitments
• Private medical insurance, health and wellbeing app, volunteering opportunities, cycle-to-work scheme, discounted gym memberships
• Lifestyle perks such as a Home and Tech voucher, which can be used at John Lewis, Currys, and IKEA

About Skipton

Our story began in 1853 in Skipton, North Yorkshire. Today, you’ll find us across England and Scotland, from Aberdeen to Plymouth. We help over a million members put down roots, save for what matters, and feel good about their money. As a mutual, they own us, so everything we do is for them. You'll feel that same fairness and purpose in how all 2,500 of our colleagues work together, too. It all means that life at Skipton is more exciting than you imagine.

What it's like to work here

Life at Skipton We talk and we listen to each other. And we make decisions as a team. That way, you get all the support you need to do work that works for everyone. For most of our roles there's the option of blended working, which means we mix working from home and meeting in person, with three days a week in our Skipton office. We also value what everyone brings to Skipton. And we create a fair place where you can be yourself. Our colleague networks play a big role in this. They connect people with similar life experiences and make our workplace warm, friendly, inclusive and welcoming. It’s not just our members who are important to us. You are, too. Lots of organisations talk about wellbeing, but they don’t always back it up. As a mutual, we put people first. And that includes the people who work here. So, when we say we care about your wellbeing, we mean it. Wellbeing isn't just one thing. It’s about feeling good, having energy, and being able to be yourself and perform at your best. That’s why we offer help for your mental and physical health across five key areas. What’s more, it’s help that you can actually use too - not just read about.