Head of Operational Risk Advisory

Who we’re looking for

The Head of Operational Risk Advisory is an experienced operational risk professional with strong technical skills and Asset Management knowledge, combined with the ability to communicate with and influence both technical and non-technical senior management, and to manage and develop a high-performing team.

The Non-Financial Risk function is comprised of several key teams, including Operational Risk, Operational Risk Advisory, Cyber & Technology Risk, and Operational Resilience.

The Operational Risk Advisory team is part of the second line of defence and provides oversight across Schroders. The team is responsible for enhancing the tools and framework for managing operational risk and working closely with the first line of defence and other control functions. It is also responsible for undertaking specialist operational risk activities related to emerging risk areas such as AI and Tokenisation.

This position is responsible for leading a team to ensure effective oversight of new and emerging risks is implemented, the operational risk approach and framework is continually enhanced and aligned to these risks, new regulatory requirements and best practice, while also working in partnership with the Group Operational Risk Team to ensure BAU operational risk activities are delivered pragmatically and effectively.

About Us

Schroders is a global investment manager which provides active asset management, wealth management and investment solutions. We aim to provide excellent investment performance to clients through active management. We serve a diverse client base that includes pension schemes, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, foundations, high net worth individuals, family offices, as well as end clients through partnerships with distributors, financial advisers, and online platforms.

Established in 1804, we have around 5,500 people across 36 global locations. Schroders' success can be attributed to its diversified business model, spanning different asset classes, client types and geographies.

The base

We moved into our new HQ in the City of London in 2018. We’re close to our clients, in the heart of the UK’s financial centre and we have everything we need to work flexibly.

What you'll do

• Leadership and stakeholder management
• Line management responsibilities for two Operational Risk Managers.
• Embed the culture of risk management throughout the organisation by actively cultivating and maintaining key relationships with senior staff and teams, and proactively providing advice and support on risk management issues.
• Responsible for senior stakeholder management within key business areas on operational risk matters, with a focus on new and emerging operational risks.
• Framework, policy and emerging risk oversight
• Enhance the Group’s operational risk framework and policy, ensuring it remains aligned to industry best practice, including leading projects such as framework enhancement initiatives.
• Ensure effective operational risk oversight is implemented for emerging risks including:
• AI Risk – through being a key member of the Responsible AI Committee and proactive engagement on AI initiatives including supporting the development of robust oversight and governance frameworks.
• ETF/Tokenisation Risks – through identification and engagement on key initiatives ensuring risks are clearly articulated, mitigated or risk accepted and appropriately escalated as necessary.
• Ensure applicable new regulatory requirements for operational risk are identified and applied appropriately.
• Lead on Operational Risk reviews/ initiatives as sponsored by the GRC, Group OpCo or equivalent Governance Forum.
• Lead on regulatory led responses or initiatives and proactively engage on regulatory forums both to ensure aligned to initiatives but also to influence direction.
• Ensure effective second line operational risk oversight is implemented for Group and business function programmes and initiatives.
• BAU operational risk activity, reporting and governance
• Responsible for delivery of the Operational Risk sections of the ICAAP and ICARAs, including development of operational risk scenarios and estimation of the Group’s and entities’ operational risk capital requirements.
• Support the Group Operational Risk Function as necessary to deliver BAU activities including the RCA programme oversight and significant risk events.
• The knowledge, experience and qualifications you need
• Operational risk framework, policy and risk appetite enhancement.
• Emerging risk oversight, including AI and Tokenisation.
• Regulatory requirements relating to operational risk.
• RCA methodology, review and challenge across business areas, new products, end-to-end processes, new clients and business change.
• Risk event process oversight, investigation and escalation.
• Scenario analysis and operational risk capital requirements for ICAAP and ICARA.
• Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, Excel and Power BI.
• Wealth / Asset Management and operational risk management experience.
• Strong project management and leadership skills.
• The knowledge, experience and qualifications that’ll help
• Assurance / audit experience.
• Asset Management qualifications, for example IMC / CFA.
• Operational risk system experience.
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, Excel and Power BI.

What you’ll be like

• Strong written communication skills and attention to detail, including the ability to write and review accurate, clear risk reports appropriate for the relevant audience.
• Good organisational and time management skills.
• Analytical with logic and problem-solving skills.
• An ability to deal with sensitive issues.
• Strong communicator with the ability to influence technical and non-technical senior management.
• Collaborative and team-oriented approach.
• Strong attention to detail and clear written judgement.
• Analytical, logical and practical problem-solving style.
• Able to manage sensitive issues appropriately.
• Able to manage and develop a high-performing team.

We Recognise Potential, Whoever You Are

Our purpose is to deliver excellent investment performance to clients through active management. We believe diverse perspectives and an inclusive culture help us make better decisions and achieve better outcomes for our clients. That's why inclusion is a strategic priority for us, and we are an equal opportunities employer. You are welcome here, regardless of your age, disability, gender identity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, or any other protected characteristic.

We will consider flexible working arrangements for all roles and provide reasonable accommodations to support applicants and employees, including those with neurodiversity, disability, or physical and mental health needs. For more information, please visit our FAQs.