Head of Risk in Croydon

The Head of Risk for UK & Ireland (UKI) reports directly to the Global Risk Function and as dotted line to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), UKI. They will provide senior, independent UKI-focused risk management leadership, to ensure compliance with PRA/FCA Regulatory and AzP Group requirements. The role will support the UKI CEO to demonstrate reasonable steps and drive the UK risk agenda. The ideal candidate has proven senior leadership experience, collaborates effectively with the Executive team to uphold a robust risk management framework across all levels of the organization, and ensures resilience and stability in a complex business and regulatory environment. The position follows a hybrid schedule working at our East Croydon location.

Key Responsibilities/What you do

• Responsible for developing and implementing the UKI risk management framework and associated documentation (inc. risk register and key risk indicators).
• Oversight and delivery of all Risk programs related to the UKI as per Group & Regulatory requirements.
• Oversee and quality‑assure the UKI risk appetite, taxonomy, reporting and assurance frameworks.
• Ensure alignment of UKI risk practices with PRA/FCA rules and market expectations, including SM&CR, SYSC, PRIN and Consumer Duty.
• Provide Risk reporting to, and enable strategic risk challenge at, the UKI Executive Committee (ExCo), Risk and Compliance Forum (RCF) and other governance forums.
• Provide advice, opinions and independent challenge to 1LoD Risk & Control Officers and Risk Owners in line with approved risk appetite (inc. strategy, product changes and major projects).
• Communications include the delivery of UK risk management training.
• Perform risk management lifecycle activities for all risks across the business, in line with the UK Risk Taxonomy, which could otherwise result in financial costs, penalties and reputational impacts to AzP UKI and Allianz brand.
• Lead preparation and presentation of risk topics at the UKI ExCo and RCF, ensuring adherence to UKI risk reporting standards, and forward‑looking insights and aggregation across business areas.
• Escalate key risk topics to senior / global stakeholders as required.
• Embed and promote the strategic business partnering ambition of the Risk Function, embedding a commercially aware risk culture and driving engagement with the business leaders and experts across the local functions.
• Lead the annual review and update to the Own Risk and Solvency Assessment (ORSA) - UK branch report, coordinating with relevant stakeholders to ensure compliance with local regulatory requirements.
• Line management, mentoring and development of UK Risk employees.

Key Requirements/What you bring

• Masters degree in Business, Finance, or related field or equivalent combination of work and education experience.
• Ideally a Risk Management accreditation, Internal Control or Accounting qualification.
• Ten (10)+ years’ experience in (enterprise) risk management, operational risk management, internal control or audit in the insurance or financial services sector.
• Strong PRA/FCA regulatory expertise (inc. SYSC, SM&CR & Consumer Duty).
• Demonstrated ability to lead independently and drive the Risk agenda across the business.
• Ability to operate in global matrix structures and influence without direct authority.
• Detailed understanding and knowledge of best practices and trends in risk management, operational resilience and internal control.
• Ability to steer in an agile set‑up, ensuring delivery of topics to a high standard.
• Strong IT user skills, very good user knowledge of Microsoft (inc. Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Excellent problem solving, judgment and analytical abilities.
• Excellent time management and ability to work on numerous tasks with multiple departments simultaneously.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment; highly motivated and proactive.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with senior stakeholders.

Key Benefits/What we offer

We are there to empower and encourage you with your personal and professional development ensuring that you take control by offering a large variety of courses and targeted development programs. All that in a global environment where international mobility and career progression are encouraged. Caring for your health and wellbeing is key priority for us. This is why we build Work Well programs to providing you with peace of mind and give the flexibility in planning and arranging for a better work‑life balance. We therefore welcome applications regardless of ethnicity or cultural background, age, gender, nationality, religion, social class, disability or sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected under applicable local laws and regulations.