At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the creation of a risk management function from scratch and shape business strategy.
- Company: Join loveholidays, a trailblazing travel-tech company focused on innovation and customer experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, pension contributions, training budget, and discounted holidays.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values personal growth and collective success.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by establishing risk strategies in a fast-growing online travel sector.
- Qualifications: Experience in building risk functions and strong understanding of operational and technology risks.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
Hackajob is collaborating with loveholidays to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role.
At loveholidays, we trailblaze together. We’re on a mission to open the world to everyone, giving our customers unlimited choice, unmatched ease and unmissable value for their next getaway. We're using progressive tech to drive cutting‑edge innovation and open the world to everyone.
Our Risk function is being established to protect loveholidays' customers, reputation, and business operations in the fast‑paced online travel sector. This new team will identify, assess, and mitigate risks across our platform, from transaction security and fraud prevention to customer health & safety, operational resilience and regulatory compliance.
The Head of Risk will be our first dedicated risk hire, establishing loveholidays' risk management capability from the ground up. You'll define and lead our risk strategy, build frameworks and controls, and embed a risk‑aware culture across the organisation.
Your Day-to-day:
- Building loveholidays' risk management function from scratch, including strategy, frameworks, processes, and future team structure.
- Developing principal risk management frameworks covering strategic, operational, financial, technology, supply side, and compliance risks.
- Designing and rolling out material controls across the business to mitigate identified principal risks.
- Deliver forward‑looking risk insight: Oversee principal risk identification, horizon scanning and emerging risk analysis, providing clear reporting and actionable recommendations to senior stakeholders.
- Embed a strong risk culture and shape strategic decisions: Work closely with the Board, Executive Committee, and senior leaders to integrate risk thinking into strategic planning, major programmes, and everyday business operations.
- Drive innovation and proactive risk management: Implement advanced analytics, dashboards and KRIs, leveraging technology and data to enable agile, forward‑looking risk oversight.
- Lead and develop a high‑performing team: Build capability and foster a collaborative, inclusive culture while partnering with Technology, Product, Finance, Internal Audit and Legal teams.
Your Skillset:
- Demonstrated experience building a risk management function from the ground up or leading significant transformation of risk capabilities.
- Deep understanding of operational and technology risks in digital platforms, including cybersecurity, data protection, and system resilience.
- Proven experience in enterprise risk management, including frameworks, risk appetite development, and embedding risk into strategy and operations.
- Strong knowledge of risk governance, internal control frameworks, and regulatory expectations, with experience presenting high‑quality risk reporting to Boards or Audit & Risk Committees.
- Experience navigating regulatory requirements in travel sectors or payments.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to work autonomously, prioritise effectively, and influence without established authority.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills to build credibility and embed risk awareness across the organisation.
Desirable:
- Experience in online travel, marketplace platforms, or high‑transaction volume e‑commerce.
- Familiarity with travel industry regulations (ATOL, Package Travel Regulations, consumer protection frameworks, health & safety issues, climate related risks).
- Professional risk management and/or audit qualifications.
- UK plc experience including preparing the risk section of the Annual Report and Accounts.
The Interview Journey:
- Intro to loveholidays with a member of the Talent team - 30 mins.
- 1st stage interview with VP Finance, Director of Finance Transformation & General Counsel, including a task to present - 45 mins.
- Final stage with CFO - 60 mins.
Perks Of Joining Us:
- Company pension contributions at 5%.
- Individualised training budget for you to learn on the job and level yourself up.
- Discounted holidays for you, your family and friends.
- 25 days of holidays per annum (plus 8 public holidays) increases by 1 day for every second year of service, up to a maximum 30 days per annum.
- Ability to buy and sell annual leave.
- Cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan and eye care vouchers.
At loveholidays, we focus on developing an inclusive culture and environment that encourages personal growth and collective success.
Head of Risk employer: hackajob
At loveholidays, we are committed to fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. As the Head of Risk, you will have the unique opportunity to shape our risk management function from the ground up, driving innovation while ensuring the safety and reliability of our services. With generous benefits including a personalised training budget, discounted holidays, and a supportive environment for professional growth, loveholidays is an exceptional employer for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the travel-tech industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Risk
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the travel and risk management sectors on LinkedIn. Join relevant groups and engage in discussions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly to loveholidays.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching loveholidays thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and recent news. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in building a risk management function from scratch.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. Focus on articulating your experience in risk management and how it can benefit loveholidays. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for joining loveholidays and being part of their innovative team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Risk
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Risk role. Highlight your experience in building risk management functions and how it aligns with loveholidays' mission. We want to see how you can contribute to our innovative culture!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past roles that showcase your understanding of operational and technology risks, especially in digital platforms. This will help us see your potential impact on our team.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Avoid jargon and make sure your key achievements stand out. We appreciate straightforward communication, so let’s keep it simple and effective!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at hackajob
✨Know Your Risk Management Frameworks
Make sure you’re well-versed in various risk management frameworks. Be ready to discuss how you've built or transformed risk capabilities in the past, and how you can apply that knowledge to loveholidays' unique environment.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated with senior stakeholders. Highlight your ability to influence without authority and embed a risk-aware culture across an organisation, as this will be crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Your Tech Savvy
Since loveholidays is all about progressive tech, be prepared to discuss how you've leveraged technology for risk management. Bring examples of advanced analytics or dashboards you've implemented to enhance risk oversight.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-time. Think about potential risks in the online travel sector and how you would approach mitigating them, showcasing your strategic thinking and innovation.
