Senior Risk Manager

ARAG Legal Services UK; West of England; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days holiday + bank holidays + My+2

Pension with employer match (up to 10%

Employee discounts hub

Health and life protection benefits

Cycle to work salary sacrifice

Job summary

ARAG UK is seeking an experienced Senior Risk Manager to strengthen the 2nd Line risk and control framework in Bristol. You will support the CRO, own risk methodologies, and deliver risk reporting to senior management and committees while steering the Risk function.

The role requires leadership, deep regulatory knowledge (PRA/FCA), and the ability to challenge business decisions. A forward-looking risk culture and collaboration across teams are essential.

Qualifications

• In-depth leadership experience in risk management within financial services.
• Experience with ORSA, RCSA and risk workshops.
• Proven ability to present risk information to senior management and executives.

Responsibilities

• Support the CRO to embed a risk-aware culture across ARAG UK.
• Develop and embed the Enterprise Risk Management Framework (ERMF).
• Oversee ORSA processes and reporting for the Executive and Board.
• Provide oversight of risk assessments, risk events, and mitigation plans.
• Lead and mentor the risk management team and coordinate with stakeholders.

Skills

Risk management

Leadership

Regulatory awareness

Stakeholder management

Reporting to executives

Education

Degree in risk management/finance

Tools

GRC software

Regulatory reporting tools

Job description

ARAG UK is looking for an experienced Senior Risk Manager to join its Risk Management department in Bristol and help shape the continued development of its enterprise-wide risk and control framework.

This role will play a key part in delivering and continually improving ARAG UK’s risk framework. Supporting the Chief Risk Officer (CRO), the successful candidate will help lead, strengthen and embed ARAG UK’s 2nd Line risk and control framework, support the Internal Control System (ICS), ensure compliance with UK regulatory expectations, and provide effective risk oversight, support and challenge.

In this role, you will own risk methodologies, produce high-quality, action-focused risk reporting for Senior Management and committees, and deliver proportionate risk assurance across the business. This high-profile position will also involve deputising for the CRO, representing the Risk function in mid-to-senior governance forums, providing leadership to the risk management team, line managing Risk officers and mentoring the Risk Manager.

This pivotal role will help shape a high-performing, forward-looking Risk function. We are seeking high-achieving candidates who are enthusiastic about working closely with colleagues at all levels.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting the CRO to build and embed an effective risk-aware culture across ARAG UK, with a focus on risk-informed decision-making.
• Leading the development and ongoing improvement of the Enterprise Risk Management Framework (ERMF).
• Working with the Risk Manager to embed, improve and maintain the RCSA methodology, including standards and expectations for KRIs and risk events.
• Owning the ORSA oversight calendar and supporting the CRO to deliver the ORSA process and reporting, including scenario analysis and risk profile updates for the Executive and Board.
• Providing oversight and senior review of risk assessments, including aggregated risk exposures, risk events, mitigation and control plans, and thematic deep dives.
• Building strong relationships with key stakeholders, balancing risk assurance, constructive challenge and collaborative business partnering.
• Supporting the CRO with PRA and FCA regulatory engagement, including Operational Resilience, Solvency UK, Consumer Duty and ORSA, and overseeing risk input into change programmes, pricing forums, digital initiatives and other significant workstreams.
• Supporting the development and embedding of the CRO’s risk strategy and wider risk framework across the team.

About You

We are seeking applicants with proven, in-depth management or leadership experience in risk management within financial services. The successful candidate will be able to interpret internal and external issues, recommend proportionate solutions and best practice, and work independently while collaborating effectively with key stakeholders.

You will have the confidence to influence and constructively challenge the business, strong interpersonal and communication skills, and experience engaging with middle and senior management and the Executive Committee. You will also bring strong leadership, coaching and people-management capabilities, contribute actively to the wider Risk team, embed best practice and support colleagues’ development.

You will also be able to demonstrate the following essential skills and experience:

• Strong knowledge of risk and sub-risk categories, such as operational, liquidity and credit risk.
• Strong understanding of risk assurance practices and frameworks, including ORSA, RCSA and workshops.
• Proven experience with Solvency II or Solvency UK frameworks, ORSA, and PRA/FCA risk oversight.
• Excellent written and verbal reporting skills, including experience presenting critical risk information to middle and senior management or executives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Experience of risk oversight in a business undergoing significant change, improving risk methodologies and frameworks within a small technical team, implementing or embedding GRC software, and managing or mentoring risk professionals would be advantageous. A relevant degree or equivalent experience is desirable but not essential, while professional qualifications such as IRM, ICA, AAT or CISM would also be advantageous.

At ARAG, people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a collaborative and supportive environment where you'll be encouraged to develop your skills, share ideas and help shape the future of our technology landscape. Our culture empowers people to take ownership, challenge the norm and deliver meaningful outcomes for our customers and colleagues. Our values of Pioneering Spirit, Drive, Openness, Discipline, Foresight and Fairness underpin everything we do and create an environment where innovation, learning and collaboration can thrive.

We offer a range of excellent benefits designed to support you and your lifestyle including:

• 27 days holiday + bank holidays+ ‘MyDay’ (1 day to take at your discretion during the year)
• Contributory company pension scheme (up to 10% employer match)
• Opportunity to buy up to 5 days of annual leave every year
• Employee Reward and Incentive Scheme
• Progressive career pathway and development opportunities
• The option to join our Sports and Social club which organises discounted events such as theatre visits, sporting events and shopping trips
• Group Income Protection for all employees
• Group Legal Protection for all employees
• European Motor Assistance and Home Emergency Assistance
• Inclusion in our Health Cash plan
• Salary sacrifice benefits including Cycle scheme
• Access to our employee discounts hub offering exclusive discounts across thousands of retail partners, including discounted gym memberships at over 3,000 gyms across the UK