Head of Ops Risk (Insurance) *12 month FTC* in Folkestone

Join Saga's Risk and Compliance function within Insurance and Money at a pivotal moment in our journey. As a brand trusted by millions of people over 50, we continue to lead the market with innovative insurance and financial solutions, delivered through powerful affinity partnerships with Ageas, NatWest, Just Group, BUPA and Collinson.

As Head of Risk, you'll report to the Insurance Risk Director and play a central role in shaping how risk is managed across Saga Services Ltd, Saga Money, and our partner landscape. You'll lead the operation, oversight and continuous evolution of our risk and control framework, ensuring it remains robust, forward-looking and aligned to our strategic ambitions.

This is a high-impact leadership role where you'll be the trusted advisor to the SSL management team on all aspects of risk and control management - spanning strategic, financial, non-financial and reputational risk, as well as operational resilience.

With a strong presence and credibility, you'll influence confidently at all levels of the business and act as a key point of contact with the FCA, helping to safeguard Saga's reputation as one of the UK's most trusted brands.

Hybrid working: We work in a hybrid way at Saga both at home and in the office. This role requires you to be working from our Folkestone office weekly, as well as visits to our London office, allowing us to collaborate and share success as a business.

Responsibilities:

• Design, implementation and oversight of the risk and control framework used throughout SSL and Saga Money, covering all risk types.
• Ensure there is a fit-for-purpose, comprehensive, efficient and effective framework covering all risk, controls and procedures adopted by the first line.
• Lead the risk business partnering team across SSL, liaising with the Head of Compliance and working as one with the compliance business partners.
• Ensure a clearly articulated and approved framework for risk appetite, with appropriate risk appetite measures and tolerances to support senior management decision making and strategy formation.
• Identify, develop and deploy operational risk management tools, techniques and strategies to ensure operational risk management across Saga is value adding and contributes to the overall strategy and performance of the business.
• Lead risk partners to work with the first line to map risks, processes, and control ownership clearly and accurately.
• Design and perform risk-based control testing, documenting results, issues and remediation actions.
• Actively promote a risk culture that encourages appropriate risk taking, aligned to strategy and risk appetite, with effective and timely response to risk events.
• Assist in the formation, review and ongoing delivery of appropriate risk governance.
• Present to relevant committees on topics in enterprise or operational risk management.
• Conduct targeted risk opinions and/or deep dives across material risks or projects as requested by the Board or leadership team.
• Maintain continuous development by reviewing risk management maturity through evaluating core framework components in operation by the first line and partners.
• Lead the development and delivery of specific risk projects, either on behalf of the CRO or first line functions.
• Provide risk advice, leadership and stewardship to material transformation and change programmes and projects to support the business's objectives.
• Support the Insurance Risk Director in day-to-day management of the CRO Function and the first-line Risk Champion community.
• Ensure an open and collaborative relationship between all lines of defence and group colleagues.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Proven experience leading a team that operates a risk framework covering the entity and oversight of significant third-party partners/providers.
• Experience within the Insurance or Financial Services industry would be advantageous, but candidates with relevant risk experience in other regulated areas are also considered.
• Operational Skills required include:

• Experience presenting clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Understanding of technology landscapes and system concepts.
• Understanding of data legislation and regulatory environment.
• Ability to constructively challenge the status quo.
• Stakeholder management skills, including senior management.
• Strategic thinking and business acumen.
• Resilient, adaptable, and open to change in a fast-paced environment.
• Unquestionable integrity, professionalism, and commitment to ethical practice.

Package Description:

At Saga, we recognise that our people make us special. We believe our colleagues deserve rewards for the excellence they demonstrate every single day, that's why we have put together an amazing benefits package for all colleagues.

• 25 days holiday + bank holidays.
• Option to purchase additional leave - 5 extra days.
• Pension scheme matched up to 10%.
• Company performance related annual bonus - Up to 15%.
• Car allowance £4,800 per annum.
• Private medical insurance after 1 year's service.
• Life assurance policy on joining us, 4 x salary.
• Wellbeing programme.
• Colleague discounts including family discounts on cruises, holidays and insurance.
• Range of reductions and offers from leading retailers, travel groups and entertainment companies.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave.
• Grandparents leave.
• Income protection.
• Access to Saga Academy, our bespoke learning platform.

About the Company:

Over the past 75 years we have become the UK's specialist provider of products and services to people aged over 50 in the UK. We're the most trusted brand amongst UK consumers in this demographic, recognised for high-quality products and exceptional standards of service. Our product portfolio includes cruises, holidays, insurance, personal finance products and our Saga Magazine.

We're committed to making sure that colleagues can be their best, be themselves and make a difference - more than anywhere else. We have done this by creating a truly inclusive culture, where all colleagues can bring their full and authentic selves to work and be treated with dignity and respect in an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.

Thanks to our people, Saga was awarded with a Gold for Best Customer Centric Culture in 2025. This is testament to the great culture we've built together. This award belongs to all our colleagues who collectively make Saga a fantastic place to work.

We are champions of age inclusivity and signatories of the Age-Friendly Employer Pledge, we are proud of our multigenerational teams we have in place. We're also a committed Disability Confident employer and ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible. Your application will have fair consideration, and you'll receive personal communication throughout your applicant journey when you apply to join Saga.