Senior Operational Risk Analyst in Essex

Are you an experienced Operational Risk professional looking to make a real impact in a fast‑moving, regulated environment? We’re looking for a Senior Operational Risk Analyst to join our second‑line risk function and help strengthen the organisation’s risk culture, oversight, and resilience. In this role, you’ll act as a trusted advisor to the business—providing challenge, guidance, and insight on operational risk matters. You’ll play a key part in shaping risk frameworks, supporting key governance forums, and ensuring that risk management practices remain robust, forward‑looking, and compliant with regulatory expectations. Please note: This is a fixed term contract for 18 Months.

Responsibilities

• Operational Risk Oversight & Advisory

• Provide second‑line review, challenge, and guidance to ensure effective identification, assessment, and mitigation of Operational Risks across the business.
• Support first‑line teams in analysing and monitoring key Operational Risk drivers.
• Review outputs from core Operational Risk processes (e.g., risk assessments, risk maps, incident reporting, action plans) and present insights to senior stakeholders and risk committees.
• Stay up to date on emerging risks, industry trends, and regulatory developments, integrating this knowledge into your advisory work.
• Act as the subject matter expert for Operational Risk and a key contact for teams across the organisation.
• Lead second‑line oversight of supplier and outsourcing risk, including critical suppliers and exit planning.
• Provide second‑line challenge and validation for change initiatives, ensuring risks are properly assessed and managed throughout the change lifecycle.
• Work collaboratively with other risk and resilience teams, including IT risk, cyber security, and compliance.

• Contribute to key risk and compliance committees by providing clear, informed Operational Risk insights.
• Lead on developing, updating, and embedding Operational Risk policies, frameworks, and procedures to ensure alignment with regulatory standards.
• Support continuous improvement of governance processes and the broader Operational Risk framework.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of the Operational Risk Management System (GRC platform).

Qualifications

• Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Operational Risk experience within the second line of defence in a UK‑regulated financial services environment.
• Strong understanding of Operational Risk areas including conduct, compliance, cyber, and IT.
• Experience working within FCA and/or PRA regulatory frameworks.
• Proven ability to use risk assessment tools such as risk maps, thematic reviews, and opinion papers.
• Strong knowledge of Three Lines of Defence principles.
• Experience delivering Operational Risk training to first‑line teams.
• Familiarity with governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) systems.
• Experience conducting second‑line testing and oversight reviews.
• A bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Risk, or a related field (master’s degree or relevant professional certification is a plus).

• Resilient and adaptable, able to handle high‑pressure situations and provide advice within short timescales.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, with a strong attention to detail.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal, including to Senior Management and Non‑Exec Director Level.

The Company is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity for all and is opposed to any form of less favourable treatment or harassment on the grounds of race, religion or belief, sex, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability. This position is based in Dunton, and it is expected the successful candidate will be able to attend the Dunton Campus for typically 4 days a week and remain flexible on the days they are required to attend the office according to business requirements. As part of our pre‑employment checks process, successful candidates will be required to undergo a criminal record check. This will be conducted in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and applied only to unspent convictions.