Senior Operational Risk Associate

Our Kent based client are seeking an Senior Operational Risk Associate to join their growing risk and compliance function.

This is a second line role, and its focus is to oversee the embedding and ongoing development of the risk management framework and supporting processes, with a particular focus on operational risk and assurance and providing an appropriate balance of support, guidance, and challenge to achieve regulatory compliance, operational effectiveness, and good customer outcomes. Reporting to the Head of Compliance & Operational Risk, you will be required to support the embedment and ongoing maintenance of the Operational Risk Management Framework and supporting risk registers.

Key responsibilities and accountabilities:

• To support the Head of Compliance & Operational Risk in the creation and implementation of the Operational Risk Management Framework and supporting standards and risk tools.
• To lead the operational risk engagements with the 1LOD to ensure that the risk management framework is embedded, with particular focus on risk and control management, control testing, and risk event/breach management.
• To frequently liaise with first line business areas to ensure that you understand key processes and how controls support the achievement of operational risk prevention, identifying gaps and weaknesses that need to be addressed.
• To provide challenge, advice, and guidance to the 1LOD around products, processes, and services, and ensure that risks are identified, assessed, mitigate/managed/accepted, and monitored by the 1LOD.
• To lead assurance activities, through operational risk assurance reviews, that support the combined assurance programme.
• Act as a point of co-ordination and contact to drive risk events to resolution and escalate issues to senior management in a timely manner to reduce risk and losses as much as possible and support the Head of Compliance & Operational Risk in overseeing the resolution and reporting of risk events and breaches.
• To act as an advocate for high performance in relation to operational risk management and company standards/policies and promote a positive risk culture within the first line of defence where transparency, action and rigor are evident - particularly in relation to customer outcomes.
• Observe and champion the firms code of conduct and the FCA’s Conduct rules including demonstrating the expected behaviours to deliver good outcomes for customers.
• Liaise and partner with Compliance, Financial Crime, Data Privacy, and Legal colleagues within the 2LOD, to ensure when their expertise is required in relation to 1LOD interactions, this is organised, and all SMEs are present for key discussions and decisions

Person Specification:

• 5 years operational risk experience in an FCA regulated environment or 5+ years’ experience in a 1LOD operations role with a sound knowledge of operational risk best practice
• Focused on customer outcomes and sound understanding of the Consumer Duty.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively analyse risk and apply sound judgement in a timely manner.
• Strong audit or assurance testing background.
• Proven ability to write detailed policies and procedures, and breach reports.
• Good team player, flexible and able to work on own initiative, whilst recognising where support is required.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to establish effective working relationships, and influence at all levels.
• Appreciates the importance of accuracy, attention to detail and professionalism.
• Ability to work with competing deadlines and priorities.
• Resilient, not derailed by a setback and returns to a high level of performance quickly.
• Comfortable and competent with MS Office.