At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead risk oversight and assurance in a dynamic pensions environment.
- Company: Join USS, a leading pension scheme with a vibrant workplace culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and health perks.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a supportive team await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial futures while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in operational risk or financial services is essential.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 € per year.
Business Area: Group Risk and Funding
Place of Work: Liverpool
Contract Type: Permanent
When you join USS, the size and scale of our pension scheme means you will have numerous opportunities to learn and develop your career. Given our size you'll have real autonomy and influence as you collaborate closely with a wide-ranging team of experts.
Our office is a vibrant place to work, and we offer flexibility of office/homeworking due to our hybrid model.
About the role
In your role as Operational Risk Manager, you will make a meaningful and valued contribution from the outset. This role will provide a great opportunity to support the embedding and oversight of the risk and control framework within the Pensions business, including leading thematic reviews to provide independent assurance of the control environment.
What you will be doing
As a trusted part of the Group Risk and Funding team you will be responsible for:
- Risk Oversight and Assurance
- Provide independent second-line oversight across the Pensions business
- Conduct thematic reviews to assess control effectiveness and identify areas for improvement
- Provide independent assurance over the effectiveness of key controls and risk management activities
- Ensure clear escalation of key risks, control weaknesses and emerging issues
- Provide second-line oversight and challenge over material change initiatives (e.g. pensions re-platforming)
- Risk Insight and Reporting
- Deliver high-quality, insight-led risk reporting for committees and senior stakeholders
- Analyse risk events, control data and actions to identify trends, root causes and systemic issues
- Ensure accurate and complete risk data within the risk system (Protecht)
- Framework Embedding
- Support the development and consistent application of the Enterprise and Operational Risk Management framework
- Embed risk management into governance forums, business processes and decision-making
- Promote strong alignment between risks, controls, events and actions
- Stakeholder Management
- Build strong, trusted relationships across the Pensions business
- Provide independent challenge & oversight of the Pensions business with the identification, assessment and documentation of their risks & controls
- Actively participate in the Operational Risk Forum and in risk event triage discussions
- Engage with Compliance, Internal Audit and other second-line teams to ensure a coordinated approach
- Process Improvement and Innovation
- Identify and implement opportunities to simplify and improve risk processes
- Support the use of automation and AI tools (e.g. Copilot) to enhance efficiency and insight
- Contribute to ongoing enhancements to the risk system and reporting
About you
We know that sometimes people can be put off applying for a job if they don't tick every box, if you're excited about working for us and have most of the skills or experience we're looking for, then please apply, regardless of whether you meet all the requirements outlined in this profile.
To be successful in the role you will have:
- Strong experience in operational risk, risk management, audit or a business control function within financial services
- Good understanding of risk and control frameworks, including control assurance
- Understanding of pensions administration processes and associated operational risks
- Ability to analyse data and provide clear, practical insight to stakeholders
- Good communication and stakeholder management skills
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office tools
- Experience using generative AI tools (e.g. Copilot) is desirable
Why join us?
At USS, every individual contributes to building a secure financial future for our members and their families. We strive to create a work environment where everyone can thrive professionally while making a meaningful impact on the lives of others. We're also committed to helping you build your career by providing opportunities for development. We put a focus on recognising and supporting each individual's unique career path, driving this forward with the support of an engaged and proactive management team. Here at USS, we want you to thrive in and out of work with a friendly team, flexible culture and excellent range of benefits!
How we will reward you
- Great starting salary
- Generous annual leave package
- Access to a high quality pension scheme provided through Universities Superannuation Scheme
- Supportive people policies (including enhanced occupational sickness pay and family friendly pay)
- Financial contributions towards your personal development to help you maintain your physical and mental wellbeing
- Access to a range of health and wellbeing services i.e., private healthcare, discounted gym membership
- Learning and development opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and talent
- Employee Volunteer Day’s to support the communities where you work and live
- Cycle to Work Scheme
Our culture and values
Our people are what makes us different. We work together to create a diverse and inclusive culture that embraces individuality, where people are welcomed and feel comfortable in the knowledge that they can be themselves. Our purpose firmly states the importance of members, putting them ‘front and centre’ of what we do. This is embedded through our values:
- Integrity
- Collaboration
- Excellence
About us
Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) was established in 1974 as the principal pension scheme for universities and other higher education institutions in the UK. We work with around 330 employers to help build a secure financial future for almost 577,000 members and their families. We are one of the largest private defined benefit pension schemes in the UK, with total assets of around £76.8bn (at 31 March 2025).
USSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We strive to ensure our recruitment process is as flexible and inclusive as possible so we can attract diverse candidates and recruit the best talent. We want all candidates to perform at their best during the recruitment process, so if you need any reasonable adjustments or if there is anything we can do to help support you through your recruitment journey please let us know by contacting resourcing@uss.co.uk.
Operational Risk Manager in Liverpool employer: USS Investment Management Limited
At USS, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work environment in Liverpool where flexibility and collaboration thrive. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our extensive development opportunities, generous benefits, and a culture that values integrity, collaboration, and excellence, ensuring that every team member can make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive and inclusive workplace.
Contact Detail:
USS Investment Management Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operational Risk Manager in Liverpool
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at USS on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding USS's values and culture. Think about how your experience aligns with their focus on integrity, collaboration, and excellence. Show them you're not just a fit for the role, but for the team!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your answers to common interview questions, especially around risk management and stakeholder engagement. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and make them impactful.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your interest in the role and appreciation for the opportunity can leave a lasting impression. Plus, it shows you're genuinely keen on joining the team!
We think you need these skills to ace Operational Risk Manager in Liverpool
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in operational risk and how it aligns with the role. We want to see how your skills can contribute to our team at USS!
Showcase Your Insights:When writing your application, don’t just list your experiences. Share specific examples of how you've provided insights or improvements in previous roles. This will help us understand your analytical skills and how you approach risk management.
Be Authentic:We love seeing the real you! Don’t hesitate to express your passion for the role and what excites you about working with us. Authenticity goes a long way in making your application stand out.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at USS Investment Management Limited
✨Know Your Risk Frameworks
Make sure you brush up on your understanding of risk and control frameworks. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in previous roles, especially in operational risk management. This will show that you can hit the ground running.
✨Prepare Insightful Questions
Think about insightful questions to ask during the interview. This could be about their current risk management processes or how they see automation impacting their operations. It shows you're genuinely interested and engaged with the role.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be prepared to discuss specific examples where you've analysed data to identify trends or issues. Highlight how your insights led to improvements in risk management or operational processes. This is key for the Operational Risk Manager role.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your stakeholder management skills by sharing experiences where you've built strong relationships across teams. Talk about how you’ve effectively communicated risks and controls to non-technical stakeholders, as this is crucial for the role.
