At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technology risk and governance, ensuring effective management and resolution of risks.
- Company: Join Openwork, a leader in financial services with a focus on technology transformation.
- Benefits: Up to £70,000 salary, 15% bonus, flexible benefits, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Hybrid role based in Swindon with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a hands-on role within a dynamic tech environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in technology risk and governance, ideally in regulated sectors.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 70000 £ per year.
We are looking for a Risk & Governance Lead to take ownership of how risk and controls are defined, managed, and driven across Openwork’s technology function. This is a hands-on, first-line role, not oversight from a distance. You’ll be actively writing risk and control definitions, working closely with delivery teams, and ensuring issues are driven to resolution. Success in this role means moving risks to green, not just reporting on them. Operating within a regulated financial services environment, technology risk at Openwork is critical, underpinning Consumer Duty, operational resilience, and the trust placed in our platform by advisers and clients. As the technology function continues its transformation, you’ll ensure the risk and control framework evolves in step – staying ahead of change, not lagging behind it. This is a hybrid role based in Swindon with 3 days a week required in the office.
The Benefits
- Salary - up to £70,000
- Bonus scheme - on target bonus - 15%
- Pension scheme - contribute up to 5% of your salary and Openwork will match you and put in an extra 5%
- Critical illness cover
- Income protection
- Death in service - 4x salary
- 27 days holiday + bank holidays, with the opportunity to buy up to an additional 10 days
- A range of other flexible benefits to include private medical insurance, dental insurance and much more.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Owning and maintaining the technology risk and controls register, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and currency
- Defining and documenting risks and controls in partnership with technical SMEs, translating complexity into clear, auditable language.
- Working directly with delivery teams to identify control gaps and drive credible, time-bound remediation.
- Leading the technology risk governance cycle, including reviews, attestations, and escalation.
- Acting as the primary interface with Enterprise Risk, Compliance, and Internal Audit.
- Maintaining the technology policy and standards library, ensuring alignment with regulatory expectations.
- Providing risk input into technology programmes, ensuring controls are embedded from day one.
- Reporting clearly and transparently on technology risk profile to senior stakeholders (CTO, ExCo, committees).
- Leading readiness for audit, regulatory reviews, and external assurance, including evidence and remediation tracking.
- Championing a risk-aware culture, making governance practical, accessible, and effective.
What will you need to succeed?
- Significant experience in technology risk, governance, or controls roles, ideally in financial services or another regulated sector
- Proven track record of hands-on risk and control definition.
- Experience working as a first-line risk practitioner, partnering effectively with second-line functions.
- Strong background supporting audit and regulatory reviews, including remediation management.
- Experience embedding risk and governance into technology delivery and change programmes.
- Relevant certifications (CRISC, CISM, CISSP, IRM or similar) are advantageous.
- Ability to engage credibly with engineering and architecture teams.
- Familiarity with Azure, SaaS platforms, and cloud-native architectures.
- Understanding of key technology risk domains (resilience, security, data protection, change, third-party risk).
- Experience with risk management tooling and governance frameworks.
- Knowledge of FCA requirements, including operational resilience, SYSC, outsourcing, and Consumer Duty.
Risk and Governance Lead in Swindon employer: Openwork Limited
At The Openwork Partnership, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and inclusive employer that invests in the growth and development of our colleagues. With a strong focus on work-life balance and a culture that celebrates individuality, we offer competitive benefits including a generous salary, bonus scheme, and flexible working arrangements from our Swindon office. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the financial services sector while enjoying a supportive environment that values your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Risk and Governance Lead in Swindon
✨Join Compliance Communities
Get involved in compliance and risk communities — both online and offline. Look for forums, LinkedIn groups, or even local meetups where compliance pros hang out. You never know who might drop a job opportunity your way!
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye out for compliance and risk management conferences and workshops in your area. These events are a goldmine for networking, and they often have job boards or recruiters on-site looking for new talent. Plus, it’s a chance to learn what's trending in the field.
✨Leverage Your University Career Services
If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, head over to your university's career services. Many companies, including those in compliance, actively recruit fresh talent through these services, so make sure you tap into that resource.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge Online
Start writing articles or blog posts about compliance topics that interest you. Share them on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and passion. This not only builds your presence in the field but can also catch the attention of companies like Openwork Limited looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Risk and Governance Lead in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!
Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at Openwork Limited. Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!
How to prepare for a job interview at Openwork Limited
✨Master the Regulations
Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!
✨Know Your Tools
Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!
✨Align with Company Culture
Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with Openwork Limited’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
