Operational Risk Manager

This is a core role within Risk Services and across the wider Bank. Reporting to the Head of Operational Risk and Quality Assurance, the role holder will be part of the 2nd Line Operational Risk team and will support the continued evolution, embedding and oversight of Shawbrook’s Operational Risk Management Framework.

As Shawbrook continues to scale, innovate and digitise, the Operational Risk team is evolving its approach to become more data-led, insight-driven and efficiency-focused. A key priority for this role will be supporting the rollout of a data-driven RCSA methodology, leveraging enhanced MI, analytics and AI-enabled insights to strengthen risk identification, assessment and challenge.

Following the establishment of a dedicated Control Testing team and enhanced control testing methodology, the Operational Risk team’s focus will increasingly centre on ensuring the design, documentation and effectiveness of controls, providing robust 2nd line oversight and challenge across the control environment.

The role holder will work closely with stakeholders across the Bank to drive strong collaboration, high-quality risk data and meaningful insight, leveraging Shawbrook’s GRC platform (AuditBoard), PowerBI dashboards and emerging AI capabilities to enhance risk oversight and decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Framework Development & Oversight

• Support the Head of Operational Risk in evolving and embedding the Group’s Operational Risk Management Framework.
• Provide effective 2nd Line oversight and challenge across key framework components, including:

  • Risk & Control Self Assessments (RCSA)

  • Risk events and loss data

  • Key Risk Indicators (KRIs)

  • Scenario analysis (where applicable)

Data-Driven RCSA & AI Enablement

• Support the design and rollout of a data-driven RCSA approach, enhancing the quality, consistency and insight generated from risk assessments.
• Leverage MI, trend analysis and AI-enabled tools to:

  • Identify emerging themes and systemic risks

  • Enhance risk challenge

  • Improve forward-looking risk insight

  • Promote high-quality risk and control data capture within AuditBoard to enable meaningful analytics and reporting.

  • Drive continuous improvement in how risk data is used to inform decision-making at Executive and Committee level.

Focus on Effective Controls

• Provide 2nd Line oversight of the control environment, with a particular emphasis on alignment between risks, controls and testing outcomes
• Work closely with the newly established Control Testing team to ensure:

  • Effective use of testing results to inform RCSA and risk profiles

  • A joined-up and efficient control oversight model

  • Drive a culture of control effectiveness and accountability across the 1st Line.

GRC, Data & Efficient Ways of Working

• Drive engagement and effective use of the Bank’s GRC system (AuditBoard) across 1st Line Risk Champions.
• Support the ongoing enhancement of AuditBoard to enable automation, streamlined workflows and improved data quality.
• Utilise MI tools (including PowerBI) and automation opportunities to reduce manual processes and improve efficiency across the risk lifecycle.
• Champion smarter, leaner and more scalable ways of working within 2nd Line and across the Lines of Defence.

Stakeholder Engagement & Governance

• Partner with 1st Line business areas to ensure risks and controls are appropriately identified, documented and managed.
• Represent 2nd Line Risk on business change initiatives, ensuring delivery and operational risks are appropriately identified and mitigated.
• Represent Operational Risk at relevant Committees and forums, providing clear, data-driven insight and challenge.
• Support the maintenance and enhancement of Operational Risk policies and standards.
• Keep abreast of emerging risks, regulatory developments and industry trends relevant to Shawbrook’s diversified business model.

Skills & Experience

• Strong knowledge of operational risk frameworks, control frameworks and operational resilience within financial services.
• Experience developing, enhancing or embedding RCSA methodologies.
• Experience using GRC platforms (preferably AuditBoard) and leveraging MI tools such as PowerBI.
• Demonstrable experience of using data and analytics to enhance risk insight and decision-making.
• Understanding of how technology, automation and AI can improve risk management effectiveness and efficiency.
• Strong knowledge of the UK financial services regulatory landscape (ideally within mortgage and/or consumer lending).
• Ideally have experience partnering with IT functions or Finance teams.
• Proven ability to provide effective 2nd Line challenge while maintaining strong stakeholder relationships.
• Experience operating in a growing, evolving organisation with a pragmatic and commercial mindset.

Key Attributes

• Data-curious and insight-driven, with a desire to use analytics and AI to strengthen risk management.
• Pragmatic and solutions-focused, able to balance robustness with commerciality.
• Strong influencer, capable of articulating risk insights clearly at senior levels.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and driving structured change in a fast-moving environment.
• Collaborative and visible team player, committed to enhancing the control environment across the Bank.
• Passionate about continuous improvement and removing unnecessary bureaucracy while maintaining strong governance standards.

Your Wellbeing - We take your health and well-being very seriously by providing a range of benefits to give you and your family peace of mind. These include:

• Market leading family friendly policies such as access to our Maternity, Adoption and Paternity policies from Day 1 of your employment
• Free access to Headspace, a mindfulness & meditation digital health app
• Free access to Peppy digital health app that offers personalised support through fertility treatment becoming a parent or menopause
• EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) - Offering you support on a wide range of subjects including financial concerns, mental wellbeing and more general queries around family, work, housing, and health
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounts on gym membership
• Contributory pension scheme & death in service

Your Lifestyle - It’s important you strike the right balance between your work and personal life. We provide benefits to support you when at work and when you’re enjoying your leisure time.

• Minimum of 27 days holiday per year
• Option to buy or sell holiday days through our flexi-holiday scheme
• Discounts on gym membership nationwide
• Access to discounts on a range of high street and online brands
• Community support and charitable giving

Your Contribution - We’re focused on rewarding those that go the extra mile in helping us achieve our goals.

• Participation in our annual discretionary bonus scheme designed to reward your contribution to our success
• Proudly Shawbrook recognition scheme focused on recognising our role models and thanking our colleagues for a job well done