At a Glance
- Tasks: Review and author payments risk assessments to enhance AI systems in banking.
- Company: Join Mercor, a leader in AI research and payments risk assessment.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible work arrangements, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work independently in a dynamic environment with a focus on innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of banking with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in payments risk assessment and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Mercor is collaborating with a leading AI research initiative focused on evaluating risk and control assessments across payments operations. We are seeking experienced payments risk and operational risk professionals to author and review structured risk/control rubrics against real-world banking standards. This project offers a unique opportunity to apply senior-level risk judgment to improve the reliability of frontier AI systems. This is a time-sensitive, project-based engagement with near-term availability preferred.
Key Responsibilities
- Review and author payments risk and control assessments across payment capture and validation, authorization, tracking, funds control, smart routing, FX conversion, netting, prioritization, returns, and tokenization.
- Evaluate inherent risk, residual risk, and control effectiveness using standard impact-and-likelihood frameworks.
- Map risks to controls and identify control gaps or elevated vulnerabilities.
- Identify failure modes in payments capabilities (system failures, stale data, bypassed authorization, missed cut-offs, misconfigured routing/netting/funds controls).
- Provide structured evaluations with clear written justifications grounded in operational risk and RCSA standards.
Ideal Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in payments risk assessment, bank operational risk, risk and control self-assessment (RCSA), issue management, risk and controls, compliance risk assessment, or banking risk advisory.
- Experience in titles such as VP / AVP Operational Risk Management, RCSA Program Manager / Lead, Business Risk & Control Officer, Payments Risk & Controls Manager, Payments Operations / Treasury Services Risk Manager, or Compliance Risk Assessment Manager.
- Background at a top-tier bank strongly preferred (e.g., JPMorgan Chase, Citi, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, BNY, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley).
- Risk-control advisory experience at a leading consulting firm also considered (e.g., KPMG, Deloitte, PwC, EY, Accenture financial-services risk advisory).
- Comfort with standard payments risk lenses: execution and accuracy, authorization and fraud, data integrity, timeliness and cut-offs, client impact, and regulatory/compliance impact.
- Strong command of inherent risk scoring drivers — transaction value and volume, time sensitivity, geographic footprint, client harm, regulatory and operational impact, reputational impact, and historical signals (operational risk events, KRIs, issues, limits, external events).
- Has personally created or reviewed risk/control assessments.
- Can articulate the difference between inherent risk, residual/control effectiveness, issue severity, and remediation priority.
- Excellent analytical and written communication skills.
- Comfortable working independently with digital tools.
Payments Risk Assessment Specialist employer: Obsidian
At Mercor, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our focus on professional development and the unique opportunity to engage in cutting-edge AI research within the payments sector. Join us in a dynamic environment where your expertise in risk assessment will not only be valued but also contribute to shaping the future of financial operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Payments Risk Assessment Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payments and risk assessment space. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet potential employers or colleagues. Remember, sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Prepare to discuss your experience with payments risk assessments in detail during interviews. Use real-world examples to demonstrate how you've tackled challenges in the past. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly understands the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to follow up! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a simple gesture that can leave a lasting impression and keep you top of mind for the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got a streamlined application process that makes it easy for you to showcase your skills. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Mercor. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Payments Risk Assessment Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in payments risk assessment and operational risk. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Experience:In your cover letter, give specific examples of your past work in risk assessments and control evaluations. We want to see how your background aligns with the responsibilities of the role.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use structured evaluations and justifications to demonstrate your analytical skills, as this is crucial for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Obsidian
✨Know Your Risk Frameworks
Make sure you’re well-versed in the standard impact-and-likelihood frameworks. Brush up on how to evaluate inherent and residual risks, as well as control effectiveness. Being able to discuss these concepts confidently will show that you understand the core of what the role entails.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that highlight your experience in payments risk assessment and operational risk. Be ready to discuss how you've authored or reviewed risk/control assessments and the outcomes of those evaluations. This will demonstrate your hands-on expertise.
✨Understand the Payment Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the various aspects of payments operations mentioned in the job description, like smart routing, FX conversion, and tokenization. Being able to speak knowledgeably about these areas will set you apart and show your genuine interest in the field.
✨Communicate Clearly and Effectively
Since excellent analytical and written communication skills are crucial for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Prepare to explain complex risk concepts in simple terms, as this will reflect your ability to provide structured evaluations with justifications grounded in operational risk standards.
