At a Glance
- Tasks: Identify and assess operational risks, ensuring effective controls in a dynamic financial environment.
- Company: Join St. James's Place, an inclusive employer committed to diversity and growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Collaborative role with excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of risk management and regulatory change, making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in operational risk within financial services and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
This job is with St. James's Place, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.
About the role
Partner Finance is a core driver of the Partnership's long-term growth and sustainability, responsible for delivering the Business Sale and Purchase (BSP) scheme and wider lending solutions that support Partner businesses at every stage of their lifecycle. From enabling growth and acquisition to support succession and exit, it plays a meaningful role in shaping the future of the Partnership. Operating within this environment, risk management, regulatory compliance and effective change delivery are fundamental to ensuring the continued success and integrity of the division. As regulatory expectations evolve, Partner Finance must maintain a strong, forward-looking control framework that not only protects the business but also delivers good outcomes for customers and Partners. As an Operational Risk & Regulatory Change Analyst, you will sit at the heart of this activity. Working as part of the first line of defence, you will oversee the day-to-day risk environment, ensuring robust controls are in place and remain effective as the regulatory landscape evolves. You will play a key role in embedding strong governance practices, supporting the implementation of regulatory change, and providing assurance that risks are appropriately identified, managed and kept within appetite. This is a highly collaborative and visible role, working closely with Compliance, Group Risk and senior stakeholders across the Partnership to drive a proactive and commercially aligned approach to risk and regulatory change.
What you'll be doing
- Lead the identification and assessment of existing and emerging operational risks across Partner Finance, including its BSP and lending activities.
- Partner with Risk and Control Owners to evaluate key controls, find opportunities for efficiency, and drive continuous improvement in control effectiveness.
- Design and deliver the annual control testing plan, providing clear insight and assurance to stakeholders on control performance and effectiveness.
- Oversee risk and control actions within Riskonnect, ensuring timely delivery, clear accountability and effective mitigation of identified risks.
- Lead and coordinate periodic Risk & Control Self-Assessments (RCSAs), ensuring robust and accurate attestation across the division.
- Contribute subject matter expertise to group-wide initiatives, supporting the implementation of new regulatory requirements and strengthening the overall risk framework.
- Provide targeted assurance over key controls and processes, both within Partner Finance and across the wider business.
- Deliver insightful reporting on risk and control performance to divisional governance forums, supporting informed decision-making at a senior level.
Who we're looking for
We're looking for an experienced operational risk professional who brings strong regulatory knowledge alongside a proactive, commercially aware mindset. You'll be confident operating in a complex financial services environment, able to interpret evolving regulatory requirements and translate them into practical, effective controls. You'll be comfortable engaging with senior stakeholders, providing clear and constructive challenge where needed, and ensuring that both existing and emerging risks are understood, assessed and effectively managed. A strong focus on delivering good customer outcomes and maintaining regulatory integrity will be central to your approach. You'll also be someone who looks beyond process, continuously identifying opportunities to strengthen the control environment, improve efficiency and embed a forward-looking approach to risk management.
Essential skills and experience:
- Proven experience leading or supporting operational risk and controls activity within Financial Services, ideally in lending, credit or consumer finance environments.
- Strong understanding of risk management frameworks and best practice, including control design and assessment.
- Experience of FCA regulation and frameworks, including areas such as Consumer Duty, RCSA and broader risk governance.
- Knowledge of lending-related risks and conflicts of interest.
- Ability to assess complex risk scenarios and translate them into clear, practical and actionable recommendations.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to engage and influence at a senior level.
Desirable skills and experience:
- Experience contributing to or delivering regulatory change or transformation initiatives within an operational or risk environment.
- A relevant professional qualification or degree in risk, compliance, finance or a related discipline.
Operational Risk & Regulatory Change Analyst in Gloucester employer: St. James's Place
St. James’s Place is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. Located in Cirencester, this hybrid role as a Data Privacy Manager not only provides competitive benefits such as parental leave and health insurance but also fosters an environment where employees can thrive through collaboration and engagement with diverse stakeholders in the regulated financial services sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operational Risk & Regulatory Change Analyst in Gloucester
✨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 St. James's Place looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Operational Risk & Regulatory Change Analyst in Gloucester
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 St. James's Place. 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 St. James's Place
✨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 St. James's Place’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
