At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to manage operational risks and support business projects.
- Company: Be part of Unum, a leader in employee benefits with a mission to create thriving workplaces.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, career growth opportunities, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace that values diversity and supports personal growth.
- Why this job: Shape a positive risk culture and make a real impact across diverse operational areas.
- Qualifications: Experience in operational risk or governance roles, with strong analytical and communication skills.
We’re a specialist employee benefits provider, striving to create healthy, happy workplaces. As part of the international Unum Group, we’re on a collective mission to help the working world thrive.
The role
We're looking for an experienced Risk Analyst to join our First Line Operational Risk team and play a key role in embedding effective risk management across the business. This role is well suited to someone with a background in Operational Risk, Risk & Controls, Governance, Compliance or Audit, ideally within a regulated environment such as Financial Services.
What will you bring?
This is an exciting opportunity for someone looking to play a key role in shaping a positive risk culture, helping operational teams understand, assess and mitigate risks while balancing commercial and customer outcomes. The role offers excellent exposure across the business, providing opportunities to partner with a wide range of stakeholders and gain insight into diverse operational areas. This is a hybrid role with 3 days in office and 2 days working from home, therefore you must be commutable to either our Basingstoke or Dorking offices.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Facilitating Risk & Control Self-Assessments (RCSAs), ensuring risks, controls and actions remain current and effective.
- Supporting business projects and change initiatives by identifying potential risks and control impacts early in the process.
- Acting as a trusted risk partner to operational teams, helping translate risk concepts into clear, practical actions for non-risk stakeholders.
- Overseeing the investigation and resolution of operational risk events and incidents, including root cause analysis and lessons learned activity.
- Producing meaningful risk reporting, dashboards and management information for senior leaders and governance forums.
- Building strong relationships across the business to drive accountability, challenge thinking and embed a positive risk culture.
- Supporting operational resilience, business continuity and risk improvement initiatives when required.
- Working closely with Second Line Risk teams to ensure alignment with regulatory expectations and risk frameworks.
What are we looking for?
- Proven experience within operational risk, first line risk, controls or governance roles, ideally within financial services or a regulated environment.
- Hands-on experience facilitating RCSA (Risk & Control Self-Assessment) activities.
- Confident identifying, assessing and articulating risk impacts to a broad range of stakeholders, including those with limited risk knowledge.
- The ability to provide practical, commercial risk advice while maintaining appropriate challenge and oversight.
- Experience supporting projects or business change initiatives from a risk perspective.
- Analytical skills with the ability to interpret risk data, identify themes and present insights clearly.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence at multiple levels of the organisation.
- Exposure to incident management, risk event reviews and root cause analysis.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Why join us?
At Unum, we’ve created a workplace where people feel supported to progress and grow, and can see their ambitions coming to life. As a part of our commitment to creating an inclusive workplace, we actively encourage applications from those with disabilities and those with long-term health conditions. If you meet the essential criteria for the role and choose to opt in to the scheme during your application, you will be offered an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.
If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to careers@unum.co.uk.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer.
Operational Risk Analyst in Basingstoke employer: Unum
Unum is an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and supportive work culture, particularly for those in the Actuarial Risk and Capital team. With a hybrid work environment in Dorking, employees benefit from competitive salaries, performance incentives, and extensive support services, alongside opportunities for professional growth and development in the actuarial field.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operational Risk Analyst in Basingstoke
✨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 Unum looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Operational Risk Analyst in Basingstoke
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 Unum. 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 Unum
✨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 Unum’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
