Risk Management Graduate Programme

Who We Are

St. James\’s Place (SJP) is a leading Wealth Management company which works in partnership to plan, grow and protect our clients’ financial futures. We deliver personalised, face-to-face financial advice to our clients, who trust us to manage their money to reach their goals.

The Risk Graduate Programme

Our Chief Risk Officer (CRO) Function is responsible for overseeing SJP’s Risk Management Framework. The function ensures that risks are identified, assessed and effectively managed, aligning with our strategic goals and regulatory requirements. The role of the Risk team is critical in a financial services organisation, providing guidance, trusted advice and challenge to the colleagues and Partners (Financial Advisers) who are serving our clients.

The Risk Graduate Programme within our Chief Risk Officer (CRO) Function is a one-year programme and offers an excellent grounding in the fundamental principles of Risk management as we continually evolve and adapt to keep pace with increasingly complex financial products and ever-changing market dynamics.

Based in our offices in Cirencester, you will rotate across the Function supporting experienced Risk professionals assisting in the risk management decisions, identify risks and their drivers, providing analysis of potential risk exposure and setting risk appetites. Crucially, we partner closely with our stakeholders to formulate solutions to mitigate the financial and non-financial risks that SJP faces. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain exposure to the breadth of all aspects of Risk in one of the UK’s largest wealth management organisations before specialising later in your career.

All graduate positions are offered on a permanent contract. Upon successful completion of the programme, individuals continue in their roles within the organisation, equipped with the experience and insight gained throughout the Graduate Programme.

Key Responsibilities

• You will rotate across three areas in Risk to gain experience across the function: Financial and Prudential Risk; Non-Financial Risk; and Risk Business Partnering.
• The tasks you will work on will vary but typically could include: Analysing data, drafting or reviewing reports, conducting research, updating risk systems and meeting with stakeholders across SJP.
• You will gain an understanding of our obligations and responsibilities to our clients, regulators, shareholders, and other teams within SJP.
• Collaborate with teams to improve risk management processes.
• Leverage technology and innovation to enhance risk monitoring and mitigation.

What We’re Looking For

• You will be a recent graduate (or graduating in 2026) with a degree in a mathematical, science, or finance related degree subject, with a strong interest in Risk Management in the Financial Services industry.
• You should have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• You will be competent in data analysis and data visualisation.
• Strong analytical abilities to evaluate risks.
• You must have excellent problem-solving skills. You can challenge processes and outcomes, and suggest ideas or improvements.
• You should have an intellectual curiosity about the business and be able to ask questions, challenge assumptions, apply judgement, and identify when to escalate issues.
• Ability to build rapport and relationships with key stakeholders to understand their needs and represent the Risk Function.
• An interest in technology and innovation in the risk landscape.
• A collaborative approach to working with diverse teams.

Special Requirements

You will be required in the office a minimum of two to three days per week depending on business requirements and also will be required to travel regularly to our other offices around the UK.

To be eligible for this vacancy, all candidates must have the right to work in the UK. This programme is due to last for one year. If your right to work is based on a Visa that will expire before the end of the programme, it may not be possible to employ you in the role as at present, this programme does not meet the minimum salary thresholds required for skilled worker visa sponsorship under the UK Home Office guidelines. As a result, we’re unable to accept applications from those requiring visa sponsorship in order to complete the programme.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates.