At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and control business risks while supporting various departments.
- Company: FirstBank UK, a top-tier bank with a global reputation.
- Benefits: Generous pension contributions, private medical insurance, gym subsidies, and more.
- Why this job: Join a historic bank and make a real impact on risk management.
- Qualifications: Experience in business risk or operational risk within financial services.
- Other info: Hybrid role with excellent career growth and a supportive culture.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
FirstBank UK is a globally recognised, top-tier bank providing world-class services to various institutions and individuals. Offering a comprehensive range of retail and corporate financial services/products, this thriving business has over 10 million active customers in over 700 business locations and is the oldest African bank in the UK. Due to business requirements, we are now looking to acquire the services of an experienced Business Risk Manager to support a number of business units in the identification, ownership, management, and control of risks arising.
Please note that this role is hybrid with 3 days from the office and 2 days working from home. This role sits within the 1st Line of Defence and will support the following business units:
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Treasury
- Markets
- Business Transformation
- Governance
- Legal
- Strategy
- Corporate Communications, Brand & Marketing
Key Responsibilities:
- Facilitate and maintain Risk and Control Self‑Assessments (RCSAs), ensuring risks, controls, and mitigations are accurately identified, documented, and kept up to date.
- Support the design, implementation, and ongoing effectiveness of key controls, working with business owners to address control gaps and weaknesses.
- Oversee the identification, escalation, and remediation of operational risk events and issues, including coordination of root cause analysis and tracking of management actions.
- Support the monitoring of the Bank’s risk profile, including key risk indicators (KRIs), emerging risks, and trends, escalating concerns in line with governance expectations.
- Provide practical risk advice and challenge to support risk‑informed decision‑making, change initiatives, and new business activities.
- Support adherence to risk appetite, policies, and standards, embedding them into business processes and ways of working.
- Promote a strong risk and control culture through training, awareness, and ongoing engagement with stakeholders.
- Act as a key liaison with second line risk, compliance, and internal audit, supporting reviews, responding to findings, and ensuring timely closure of actions.
Key Skills/Experience:
- Significant experience in a senior first line business risk, operational risk, or control role, ideally within financial services or another highly regulated environment.
- Deep expertise in first line operational risk management.
- Demonstrated experience leading RCSAs, control assurance, and issues management across a business area or function.
- Proven track record of managing material operational risk events, including oversight of root cause analysis, escalation, and delivery of sustainable remediation.
- Experience overseeing and interpreting risk MI, KRIs, and trend analysis.
- Previous experience having regular engagement with second line risk, compliance & internal audit at senior level.
- Strong experience supporting or influencing strategic initiatives, change programmes, or new activities.
- Strong capability to interpret and apply risk appetite, frameworks, and policies.
- Excellent stakeholder leadership skills.
- Strong analytical judgement, particularly when assessing material risks, emerging issues, and risk interdependencies.
- Experience coaching or mentoring others on risk management practices.
In return, we offer a fantastic benefits package including:
- Up to 10% employer pension contribution
- Life Assurance Cover
- Income protection
- Private Medical Insurance plan (upon successful completion of probation period)
- Contribution to glasses/contacts and eye testing
- Gym subsidy (up to £50 per month)
- Cycle to work scheme
- Electric Vehicles (EVs) salary sacrifice
- Employee Assistance Program
- Interest Free season ticket loan for travel
- Birthday Leave
- 25 days annual leave, rising to 28 after 3 years and 30 after 8 years’ service
- Holiday Trading scheme
- Give As You Earn (GAYE)
First Bank is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.
Business Risk Manager in London employer: FirstBank UK Limited
Contact Detail:
FirstBank UK Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Risk Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and risk management sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Brush up on your knowledge of operational risk management and be ready to discuss your experience with RCSAs and control assurance. We recommend practising with a friend or using mock interview platforms to build your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your analytical skills! During interviews, highlight specific examples where you’ve successfully managed operational risks or led change initiatives. We want to see how you can apply your expertise to support FirstBank UK’s risk culture.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. Let’s get you that Business Risk Manager role!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Risk Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Business Risk Manager role. Highlight your experience in operational risk management and any relevant achievements that align with the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for FirstBank UK. Mention specific skills and experiences that relate to the role, and don’t forget to show your enthusiasm for the company and its values.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires strong analytical judgement, make sure to include examples of how you've assessed material risks or managed operational risk events in your previous roles. Numbers and outcomes can really make your application stand out!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at FirstBank UK Limited
✨Know Your Risk Management Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of operational risk management and RCSAs. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you've successfully identified and managed risks. This will show that you not only understand the theory but can apply it in real-world situations.
✨Understand FirstBank's Culture
Research FirstBank UK and its values, especially around risk management and compliance. Knowing their approach to risk appetite and how they embed these practices into their business processes will help you align your answers with what they're looking for.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked about how you would handle specific risk scenarios. Think through potential operational risk events and how you would manage them, including root cause analysis and remediation strategies. Practising these responses will help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since stakeholder leadership is key for this role, prepare to discuss how you've effectively engaged with various stakeholders in the past. Highlight your communication skills and how you've influenced decision-making in previous roles, as this will demonstrate your ability to promote a strong risk culture.