Head of Operational Risk Oversight - Finance in Edinburgh

Job Type: Permanent

Location: This role can be based from our London, Edinburgh or Birmingham office with time spent in the office and working from home. Flexible working: All roles are open to part-time, job-share and other types of flexibility. We will discuss what is important to you and balancing this with business requirements during the recruitment process.

Closing Date: 30th July

Salary and benefits: £135,000 to £147,400 plus an indicative bonus range of 30-60%, private medical cover, 38 days annual leave, excellent pension, 12x salary life assurance, career breaks, income protection, 3x volunteering days and much more.

Who are we? We’re Standard Life, a retirement specialist focused entirely on retirement savings and income. We champion the belief that everyone’s journey to and through retirement can be better, and for more than 200 years, we’ve been helping our customers plan and prepare for their financial futures.

The Role: We're looking for an experienced risk leader to join our Non-Financial Risk team, providing independent second-line oversight of operational risks across our Finance function. Reporting to the Non-Financial Risk Director, you'll lead a team of risk professionals and act as the primary risk partner to the CFO function. You'll provide insightful challenge, oversight and assurance across a broad range of activities, including financial reporting, actuarial processes, treasury operations, finance transformation initiatives, and the internal control environment.

This is a highly visible role requiring strong stakeholder management, technical expertise, and the ability to influence senior leaders across the organisation.

What you'll be doing:

• Lead independent operational risk oversight across the Finance function, helping to ensure material risks are identified, understood and managed effectively.
• Act as the key Non-Financial Risk contact for the CFO and Finance Leadership Team, providing risk insight and guidance to support informed decision-making.
• Provide oversight of Finance's risk profile, including adherence to risk appetite and the management of current and emerging risks.
• Support a strong and effective control environment through oversight of Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICFR/SOX).
• Review the identification, escalation and remediation of control weaknesses, working closely with Finance, Internal Audit and external auditors.
• Provide oversight and risk input on major Finance transformation programmes, assessing governance, risk management and control arrangements.
• Collaborate with specialist risk teams across technology, cyber, change and financial risk to deliver an integrated view of risk.
• Contribute to the continued development of risk frameworks, reporting and tools through the Risk Transformation Programme.
• Deliver clear and meaningful risk reporting to senior leadership, Executive Committees and Board Risk Committees.
• Create an inclusive, collaborative environment that supports the development and success of team members.

What we're looking for:

• Significant experience in Operational Risk, Finance Risk, Controls Oversight, Audit, Assurance or Risk Management within financial services.
• Strong knowledge of ICFR/SOX controls, financial reporting, actuarial processes and treasury operations.
• Experience working within a Three Lines of Defence model, providing independent oversight and risk insight.
• The ability to build effective relationships and communicate with a broad range of stakeholders, including senior leaders and Board-level audiences.
• Excellent analytical, reporting and communication skills.
• Knowledge of relevant regulatory frameworks, including PRA, FCA, Solvency II and the UK Corporate Governance Code.
• Experience leading and developing teams, creating an environment where colleagues can perform at their best.
• A professional qualification such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIA or equivalent.

Desirable:

• Experience supporting Finance transformation, large-scale change or system implementation programmes.
• Experience contributing to risk transformation initiatives and framework enhancements.
• Exposure to complex change, integration or operational transformation programmes within a regulated environment.

We want to hire the whole version of you. We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels accepted and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If your experience looks different from what we’ve advertised and you believe that you can bring value to the role, we’d love to hear from you. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know so we can help you to be at your best. We’re reviewing applications as they come in and may close this role before the closing date, so apply early to avoid missing out.