At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead treasury risk management and develop frameworks for investment and liquidity.
- Company: Join a diverse and innovative insurance firm focused on collaboration.
- Benefits: Flexible working arrangements, competitive salary, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career growth and support for work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in risk management while shaping the future of finance.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in treasury or credit analysis with leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
As Head of Treasury Risk and Compliance, you will lead the treasury risk management function, partnering closely with the Group Treasurer, Deputy Group Treasurer, finance leadership, banking partners, and stakeholders to develop and implement risk frameworks that support the investment portfolio and liquidity management while meeting UK and Solvency II regulatory requirements, capital adequacy standards, and risk appetite.
Risk Management & Strategy
- Develop and implement the treasury risk management framework aligned with Solvency II, PRA regulations, and FCA conduct requirements.
- Establish risk limits and tolerance levels for treasury activities supporting ALM objectives and SCR optimisation.
- Monitor and report on key risk metrics including duration matching, reinvestment risk, spread risk, and concentration limits.
- Lead ORSA contributions related to treasury and investment risks.
- Conduct stress testing and scenario analysis on investment portfolios considering insurance liability profiles and regulatory stress scenarios.
- Manage liquidity risk to ensure sufficient assets meet policyholder obligations, claims, and LCR requirements.
Credit & Counterparty Management
- Oversee credit approval process for banking relationships, investment counterparties, reinsurance counterparties, and derivative counterparties.
- Manage counterparty credit exposure limits across investment portfolios, ensuring compliance with Solvency II diversification requirements and PRA expectations.
- Conduct credit analysis and due diligence on financial institutions, reinsurers, bond issuers, structured products, counterparties for repo and securities lending.
- Maintain and enhance the counterparty risk rating system, including internal credit assessments aligned with external credit assessment institutions (ECAIs).
- Monitor credit migration and implement early warning systems for deteriorating counterparty creditworthiness.
- Manage credit risk in derivative exposures, including EMIR compliance and central clearing arrangements.
Governance & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with PRA Prudential Sourcebook for Insurers, Solvency II Directive, FCA Conduct rules, and UK legislation.
- Maintain permitted and prohibited asset lists in accordance with Solvency II investment rules (Prudent Person Principle).
- Collaborate with actuarial, investment, internal audit, compliance, and legal teams on treasury and ALM matters.
- Present risk reports and recommendations to CFO, Treasury Committee, and Board Risk Committee.
- Maintain documentation of risk policies, procedures, and control frameworks for PRA supervisory reviews.
- Support regulatory reporting including Solvency and Financial Condition Report (SFCR), Regular Supervisory Report (RSR), and quarterly reporting templates (QRTs).
- Ensure compliance with EMIR, MiFID II, and other relevant financial services regulations affecting treasury operations.
Leadership & Collaboration
- Build and lead a high‑performing risk and credit team within treasury.
- Partner closely with the Group Treasurer and broader treasury team on strategic initiatives.
- Work cross‑functionally with enterprise risk management, finance, and business units.
- Provide risk expertise and guidance on new products, markets, or treasury initiatives.
- Engage constructively with PRA supervision and participate in regulatory dialogue as required.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Actuarial Science, Mathematics, or related field; MBA, CFA, FRM, CERA, or similar advanced qualification preferred.
- 10+ years progressive experience in insurance treasury, corporate treasury, or credit analysis within the UK insurance/banking/corporate sector.
- 5+ years in a leadership role with team management responsibility.
- Deep experience in UK insurance investment operations and Solvency II capital management.
- Understanding of UK insurance liability structures and ALM principles.
- Strong familiarity with PRA supervisory expectations and regulatory engagement.
Technical Skills
- Expert knowledge of insurance investment risks: interest rate, credit spread, FX, liquidity, and reinvestment risk.
- Strong understanding of ALM principles, duration matching, and cash flow modelling.
- Deep familiarity with Solvency II framework including SCR calculations, Risk Margin, and Matching Adjustment.
- Knowledge of fixed income instruments, structured products, derivatives, and alternative investments used in UK insurance portfolios.
- Proficiency in risk measurement methodologies: economic capital, VaR, stress testing, scenario analysis.
- Experience with investment management systems, risk analytics platforms, and actuarial modelling tools.
- Understanding of UK GAAP and IFRS 17 accounting standards and their impact on investment strategy.
- Familiarity with PRA supervisory statements, policy statements, and consultation papers relevant to investments.
Core Competencies
- Strategic thinking with ability to translate complex risk concepts for senior stakeholders.
- Excellent analytical and problem‑solving capabilities.
- Strong communication and presentation skills, written and verbal.
- Proven ability to influence and build relationships across all organisational levels.
- Sound judgment and decision‑making in high‑pressure situations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in life, general, or health insurance sectors within the UK market.
- Background in UK insurance asset management, reinsurance, banking, or rating agencies (S&P, Moody’s, Fitch).
- Experience with Matching Adjustment portfolios, eligibility criteria, and portfolio construction.
- Familiarity with private credit, infrastructure debt, ground rents, commercial mortgages, and other alternative asset classes common in UK insurance.
- Knowledge of climate‑related financial risk disclosure (TCFD) and ESG integration in insurance investment portfolios.
- Experience with regulatory capital optimisation strategies: Volatility Adjustment and Transitional Measures.
We value diversity and provide reasonable accommodations to support flexible working arrangements and other reasonable adjustments. If you have any concerns about suitability of the role or need additional support, please let us know.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations at Howden to ensure that our positions align well with your needs. Besides usual adjustments such as software, IT and office setups, we can also accommodate changes such as flexible hours or hybrid working. *Not all positions can accommodate changes to working hours or locations. Reach out to your Recruitment Partner if you want to know more.
Head of Treasury Risk and Compliance employer: Howden Group Services Limited
At Howden, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. As the Head of Treasury Risk and Compliance, you will have the opportunity to lead a high-performing team while benefiting from our commitment to employee growth through continuous learning and flexible working arrangements. Located in the heart of the UK, we provide a supportive environment that values diversity and encourages meaningful contributions to our treasury risk management function.
Contact Details:
Howden Group Services Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Treasury Risk and Compliance
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for your interviews by researching the company and understanding their risk management strategies. We recommend practising common interview questions and even doing mock interviews with friends. Confidence is key, so show them you’re the right fit for the Head of Treasury Risk and Compliance role!
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to speak with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience with SolvencyII and PRA regulations. We want to see you demonstrate your knowledge of treasury risk management and how you can contribute to their team. Be specific about your past achievements!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s get you one step closer to that Head of Treasury Risk and Compliance position!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Treasury Risk and Compliance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in treasury risk management and compliance. We want to see how your skills align with the specific requirements of the Head of Treasury Risk and Compliance role.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading a team, don’t forget to emphasise your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've built high-performing teams and collaborated with various stakeholders in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain your qualifications and experiences, making it easy for us to see why you’re a great fit for the position.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This way, you can ensure your application reaches us quickly and efficiently, and you’ll have access to all the latest updates about the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Howden Group Services Limited
✨Know Your Regulations
Make sure you’re well-versed in UK regulations like Solvency II and PRA requirements. Brush up on how these impact treasury risk management, as you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of compliance during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Treasury Risk and Compliance, leadership is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past, especially in high-pressure situations. Highlight your ability to influence and build relationships across various organisational levels.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions on risk measurement methodologies and investment strategies. Be ready to discuss your experience with ALM principles, credit analysis, and stress testing. Use specific examples from your past roles to illustrate your expertise.
✨Engage with Scenario Analysis
Be prepared to discuss how you would conduct stress testing and scenario analysis on investment portfolios. Think about real-life scenarios you’ve encountered and how you managed liquidity risks or credit exposures. This will show your practical knowledge and strategic thinking.
