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- Tasks: Lead operational risk management and shape strategy at NFU Mutual.
- Company: Join one of the UK's top insurance and financial services companies with over 110 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, a competitive salary, annual bonuses, and extensive wellbeing programmes.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on operational resilience while fostering a proactive risk culture.
- Qualifications: Degree in business or risk-related field; experience in operational risk management is essential.
- Other info: We celebrate diversity and support an inclusive workplace for all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 79200 - 110000 £ per year.
- Shape the future of operational risk at NFU Mutual
- Hybrid role with up to 80% homeworking and 20% in Stratford-upon-Avon
About the role
Are you a strategic risk leader ready to influence operational resilience at the highest level? As Head of Operational Risk Management at NFU Mutual, you’ll play a pivotal role in embedding a proactive risk culture across the organisation. Reporting to the Head of Group Operational Risk, you’ll lead a high-performing team to ensure operational and strategic risks are effectively identified, assessed, and managed in line with our Enterprise Risk Management Framework.
This is a high-impact role where you’ll work closely with senior stakeholders and programme governance to shape risk strategy, provide assurance to the Board Risk Committee, and support the resilience of our most critical business services. You’ll be a trusted advisor across the business, ensuring that risk is seen as a key enabler of strategic delivery.
Key responsibilities include:
- Setting and delivering the operational risk strategy aligned with business objectives and risk appetite.
- Leading the Operational Risk team to provide expert support and challenge to first-line stakeholders.
- Driving high-quality assurance reporting to senior governance forums, including the Board Risk Committee.
- Representing Risk in major change programmes and steering committees, influencing mitigation strategies.
- Leading operational resilience planning, identifying vulnerabilities in Important Business Services (IBS).
- Embedding a strong risk culture through stakeholder engagement and strategic alignment.
About you
We’re looking for a dynamic and experienced operational risk professional with a strong understanding of regulatory frameworks and a passion for driving cultural change. You’ll be confident in engaging with senior leaders, influencing governance, and leading a team to deliver meaningful impact.
What you’ll need to succeed:
Technical expertise:
- Proven experience in second-line operational risk management within financial services, ideally insurance.
- Strong knowledge of PRA and FCA regulations, with a focus on operational resilience.
- Expertise in risk identification, assessment, mitigation, and assurance reporting.
- Ability to interpret complex risk data and present insights to senior stakeholders.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to align risk frameworks with organisational goals.
- Skilled communicator, able to influence at all levels and build trusted relationships.
- Experienced leader, capable of developing talent and fostering a proactive culture.
- Comfortable navigating change and supporting risk culture in transformation programmes.
Qualifications:
- Educated to degree level in a business, risk, or insurance-related discipline (essential).
- Fellowship of the Institute of Risk Management or equivalent professional qualification (desirable).
At NFU Mutual, we support an inclusive workplace and value all the differences that make us unique. We celebrate the creativity and innovation that comes from diverse perspectives and experiences and share a common vision of doing the right thing for our customers and employees.
We recognise that some candidates may experience barriers during the recruitment process. So, we encourage candidates to discuss any adjustments or accommodations they need to be the best they can be throughout our recruitment process.
We\’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, a Race at Work and Women in Finance Charter signatory and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, regardless of age, ethnicity, disability, neurodiversity, gender, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background.
Benefits and Rewards
When you join our team, you can expect a supportive culture and an attractive range of rewards and benefits including:
- Salary circa £110,000 depending on experience
- Annual bonus of up to 33% of salary
- Car allowance + access to our Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme
- Contributory pension scheme (up to 20%)
- 28 days annual leave (+ bank holidays, with options to buy/sell)
- Private medical insurance for you and options for your family
- 15% discount on NFU Mutual insurance policies
- Hybrid working – up to 80% home-based
- Wellbeing programmes, including gym discounts, health cashback plans, and volunteering opportunities
Working at NFU Mutual
We’re one of the UK’s leading general insurance and financial services companies. For over 110 years we’ve put our customers at the heart of everything we do. Our people are just as important to us.
We pride ourselves on being “a great place to work” and our Gallup Exceptional Workplace 2025 award was not only awarded with Distinction but also named us as the first UK-based company to receive a Gallup Exceptional Workplace for ten years in a row. We are also the only Insurer to feature in the LinkedIn Top 15 Companies 2025 list of ‘Best midsize employers to grow your career in the UK’, the Glassdoor Best Places to Work UK List 2023 and 2024, and were recognised as a certified UK Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
We offer a supportive culture where we empower and inspire our people to perform, offer them opportunities to grow, and recognise and reward their contribution. Our people are proud to work for a company that respects them and their communities, and they trust us to be financially sustainable, so we are successful now and in the future.
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Head of Operational Risk Management employer: Starr Underwriting
Contact Detail:
Starr Underwriting Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Operational Risk Management
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with NFU Mutual's operational risk framework and recent initiatives. Understanding their current strategies will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews, showcasing your proactive approach to aligning with their goals.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the insurance and financial services sectors, particularly those with experience in operational risk management. Attend industry events or webinars to build connections that could provide insights or referrals for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've influenced risk culture in previous roles. Highlighting your leadership skills and ability to drive change will resonate well with the expectations for this position.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the latest trends and regulatory changes in operational resilience, especially those relevant to PRA and FCA regulations. Being well-versed in these topics will demonstrate your commitment to staying ahead in the field and your readiness to tackle challenges at NFU Mutual.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operational Risk Management
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in operational risk management, particularly within financial services. Emphasise your understanding of PRA and FCA regulations, and showcase any relevant achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead a team and influence governance.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for driving cultural change and operational resilience. Use specific examples from your past roles to illustrate how you've successfully aligned risk frameworks with organisational goals and engaged with senior stakeholders.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly list your educational background and any professional qualifications, such as your Fellowship of the Institute of Risk Management. This will help demonstrate your technical expertise and commitment to the field of operational risk management.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a high-performing team, be sure to include examples of your leadership experience. Discuss how you've developed talent and fostered a proactive culture in previous positions, as this will resonate well with the hiring team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Starr Underwriting
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the key responsibilities of the Head of Operational Risk Management. Familiarise yourself with operational resilience, risk culture, and how these elements align with NFU Mutual's objectives.
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience in operational risk management within financial services. Highlight your knowledge of PRA and FCA regulations, and be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully identified and mitigated risks in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
During the interview, illustrate your ability to think strategically by discussing how you would align risk frameworks with organisational goals. Share specific examples of how you've influenced governance and driven cultural change in past positions.
✨Engage with Senior Stakeholders
Since this role involves working closely with senior leaders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Prepare to discuss how you've built trusted relationships and influenced decision-making in previous roles, showcasing your communication skills.
