First-Line Risk Partner — Real Assets & Private Markets

First Line Risk teams at M&G support the First Line Business Areas with operational risk management and risk reporting in line with the relevant M&G Policies, Frameworks and Standards. They act as the first point of contact for the Business, Operational Risk, Compliance and Audit in relation to risk and control matters for their respective Business Area or the Business Unit, representing the different areas/businesses within private markets, including the acquired companies. The role supports the Real Assets businesses (Real Estate, Infracapital, Impact and Private Equity) within the Private Markets business area and reports to the Head of Risk for Real Assets. It works closely with the Private Markets Risk team and senior leadership team in Private Markets. The role supports senior leaders through delivering high‑quality governance, clear insight and proportionate challenge. It helps enable leaders to demonstrate that risks are owned, understood, controlled and managed within M&G’s risk appetite. The role operates with significant visibility, acting as a trusted first‑line risk and control partner to management and governance forums.

Key Activities / Responsibilities

• Act as a liaison and coordination point with the Real Assets businesses within Private Markets.
• Support the management of Risk Events arising in the Real Assets businesses in line with Operational Risk requirements.
• Support the management of Real Assets related Issues and Actions to ensure alignment with the Operational Risk requirements and timely closure of issues and actions.
• Risk & Control Self‑Assessment (RCSA) – identify and manage top risks and mitigating actions/controls with the RCSA Owners across the Real Asset businesses.
• Represent First Line risk at relevant Real Assets governance forums and with stakeholders, including risk support for strategic projects and initiatives.
• Support and coordinate the annual M&G Real Estate Service Organisation Control (SOC) Report update.
• Lead the identification, reporting and maintenance of Conflicts of Interest Register entries in MetricStream, monitoring mitigating actions/controls for the Real Assets businesses.
• Maintain the relevant Conflicts of Interest Register entries in MetricStream for the Real Assets businesses.
• Oversee Key Control Assessments (KCAs) and other control testing (e.g., led by Audit), serving as the key point of contact around risk and controls discussions and issues for the Real Asset businesses.
• Support remediation of control deficiencies, audit findings, regulatory issues and self‑identified issues, working closely with business owners to achieve timely and sustainable outcomes.
• Contribute to the maintenance and enhancement of supporting artefacts such as risk process maps, control libraries and underlying documentation to reflect the operating environment.
• Risk monitoring – monitor risk and control environment, e.g., MI across conduct risk, reputational risk, financial crime, third‑party suppliers, business risks, valuations, resiliency (BCPs) for Real Assets business lines.
• Identify and manage emerging risks proactively for the Real Assets businesses via trend analysis and dialogue with the businesses regarding industry, geo‑political and business developments.
• Perform or support thematic reviews as required with focus on key emerging risks across the Real Assets businesses.
• Support with the risk management of Model and User‑developed Application (MUDA) risks.
• Support with the identification and reporting of risk appetite, working closely with senior SMEs to understand risk metrics and linkage to appetite.
• Risk Governance & Reporting – review, enhance and prepare risk and control‑related papers for governance forums as required.
• Risk and control SME advice – support the First Line across the Real Assets businesses with the maintenance and roll‑out of the risk and control framework.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Experience working in a first/second‑line risk, control or governance role within a regulated financial services environment.
• Desirable: knowledge of asset management investment products, specifically Real Estate, Private Equity, Impact Investing and Infrastructure finance and operational environments.
• Strong understanding of risk management frameworks, tools and methodologies, including RCSAs, control design, testing and assurance.
• Experience preparing and presenting risk and control materials for senior management and governance forums.
• Proven ability to produce clear, structured and high‑quality management information and analysis.

Capabilities & Behaviours

• Applies sound judgement to deliver proportionate, outcome‑focused risk and control solutions.
• Operates as a trusted advisor, providing constructive, confident and well‑reasoned challenge while maintaining strong stakeholder relationships.
• Takes accountability and ownership for delivering high‑quality outputs and driving actions through to completion.
• Comfortable working across multiple business areas, balancing competing priorities and deadlines.
• Able to manage challenge and conflict in a professional, calm and supportive manner.
• Strong analytical, organisational and problem‑solving skills, with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrates integrity, resilience and a positive, ‘can‑do’ mindset, leading by example.

What we offer

• A pension scheme of 18%, with 13% made up of employer contributions and 5% employee contributions.
• We also offer Share Save and our Share Incentive Plan, together with access to financial wellbeing and support services.
• 38 days annual leave including bank holidays, with the opportunity to purchase up to 5 extra days and additional flexibility through our Time Off When You Need It policy.
• Inspiring Families policy with comprehensive support and paid parental leave covering maternity, adoption, surrogacy and paternity leave.
• Health & Protection cover including Private Healthcare, Critical Illness cover and Life Assurance for you, with family options.

We have a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture at M&G, underpinned by our policies and employee‑led networks that provide networking opportunities, advice and support for the diverse communities our colleagues represent. We welcome candidates of all genders, ethnicities, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, disabilities or long‑term conditions. M&G is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and we welcome applications from candidates with long‑term health conditions, disabilities or neuro‑divergent conditions. If you need assistance or an alternative means of applying for a role due to a disability or additional need, please let us know by contacting us at: careers@mandg.com