Risk & Compliance Manager - Banking

Risk & Compliance Manager

Location: Manchester (Hybrid Working)

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent

On behalf of our client, a growing and dynamic independent lender with a strong focus on development finance and bridging loans, we are seeking a Risk & Compliance Manager to take strategic ownership of risk and compliance across the business.

Operating in a fast-paced and entrepreneurial environment, the lender is known for delivering agile, innovative financial solutions to property professionals. This is a high-impact opportunity to join at a critical point in its growth trajectory and help shape the governance framework for the future.

The Opportunity

This is a senior role, reporting directly to the leadership team, where you’ll act as the go-to expert on all aspects of risk management and regulatory compliance. You’ll play a key part in aligning operational and strategic decisions with a forward-thinking risk culture and evolving lending appetite.

Key Responsibilities

Risk Management

• Lead the development and enhancement of the lender’s risk management framework
• Maintaining regulatory requirements in line with the FCA
• Conduct and review risk assessments across credit, operational, market, and conduct risk areas
• Maintain and monitor the risk register, tracking controls and mitigation efforts
• Carry out stress testing and scenario planning to evaluate business resilience
• Support changes to lending strategy, offering insight into risk implications of new markets or product lines

Compliance Oversight

• Ensure the lender remains compliant with all relevant regulatory frameworks, including FCA (if applicable), AML, and data protection regulations
• Deliver compliance monitoring, internal audits, and reporting
• Draft and maintain internal policies and procedures, ensuring staff awareness and compliance
• Act as Compliance Officer, and potentially MLRO, depending on qualifications and experience

Horizon Scanning & Advisory

• Monitor regulatory developments and industry trends, identifying potential business impacts
• Provide proactive, strategic advice to senior stakeholders on emerging risks and compliance updates
• Liaise with external advisors and regulatory bodies where appropriate

What We\’re Looking For

• Solid experience in a risk and/or compliance role within financial services, ideally with exposure to specialist property lending (e.g. development, bridging)
• Strong understanding of UK regulatory requirements including the FCA Handbook, AML, and GDPR
• Demonstrable experience in building or enhancing risk frameworks in a fast-moving or growing lender
• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance risk with commercial opportunity
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, reporting, and communication skills
• Relevant qualifications (e.g. ICA, ACAMS, IRM) are advantageous

What’s on Offer

• A unique opportunity to take ownership of risk and compliance in a forward-thinking independent lender
• A supportive and entrepreneurial culture with influence at board level
• Hybrid working, with a Manchester base
• Competitive remuneration and comprehensive benefits
• Ongoing training and development opportunities