Interim Head of Operational Risk
Location: Scotland or Remote
Salary: c.£100,000 pro rata
Our client is a SME Financial Services firm who are seeking an Interim Head of Operational Risk to lead and embed the second-line operational risk function. This will be an initial 6 month contract and the role is pivotal in ensuring the organisation maintains a strong risk culture, supporting strategic initiatives, and enhancing regulatory compliance.
Reporting to the CRO - Key Responsibilities:
* Lead and manage the second-line operational risk function, ensuring alignment with regulatory expectations and best practices.
* Oversee the development and implementation of risk frameworks, policies, and procedures across the organization.
* Support operational risk capital stress testing, ensuring appropriate capital holdings.
* Act as a key risk advisor to senior management, providing insights and challenge on key operational risk matters.
* Drive the Climate Risk and ESG strategy, ensuring alignment with SS3/19 and regulatory disclosure requirements.
* Lead the Executive Risk Committee (ERC), ensuring effective governance, agenda coordination, and action tracking.
* Support the Board Risk Committee (BRC), ensuring risk oversight and effective contribution to strategic decision-making.
* Enhance the organization’s risk reporting and management information (MI) to provide clear and actionable insights for senior leadership.
* Collaborate with first-line teams to provide independent second-line risk opinions and ensure risk management best practices are embedded.
* Build and maintain strong relationships with external regulators (PRA/FCA) and internal stakeholders.
* Act as a role model for the organization’s values, investing in the development of the team and fostering a strong risk-aware culture.
What We’re Looking For:
✅ Strong experience in Operational Risk within Financial Services.
✅ Expertise in designing and embedding risk frameworks in a regulated environment.
✅ Skilled decision-maker with the ability to deliver commercially pragmatic risk-based solutions.
✅ Excellent stakeholder management skills, capable of influencing at all levels.
✅ Strong understanding of regulatory requirements and best practices.
✅ Proven leadership experience, with the ability to manage and develop a high-performing team.