Head Of Risk

We’re looking for a dynamic risk leader to join us on our mission to make financial advice accessible to all.

The role and opportunity 

The Head of Risk will own the risk management framework and measurement for Octopus Money and work closely with the Head of Compliance to run the second line of defence.  They will be excited about working in a context that combines humans and technology to deliver advice, and understand the importance of flexibility and creativity in creating a control framework that is fit for purpose. They will have a passion for building a function that acts as a co-creator with the first line, while providing assurance to the Risk Management Committee and Board that risk management, and risk culture, are well embedded within the firm.

Day to day you will be:

• Refining and owning the risk management framework and risk appetite for Octopus Money, and providing real-time measurement of performance against risk appetite
• Leading in setting and embedding risk culture, alongside the Head of Compliance and Head of Training and Competence
• Working with delivery and proposition teams to design controls in tandem with customer propositions
• Developing a reporting suite that allows the firm to understand - real time - our risk posture
• Being a thought leader on risk management within a modern hybrid advice firm, ensuring the most appropriate and efficient ownership between 1st and 2nd line.
• Working as part of a creative management team to find the best answer for the customer, not the easy answer
• Supporting the M&A team on due diligence and acquisitions of regulated firms
• Experienced in Crisis Management and lead the development and execution of crisis management and business continuity plans to ensure organisational resilience

About You

A genuine desire to help people
We are a mission-driven business, so it’s important that you can demonstrate a strong desire to help people and improve their lives. 

Collaborative and a great team player
We’ve built a great team of top performers, and you’ll need to work with others from across the business to identify problems, agree solutions and implement changes

Problem solver at heart with an analytical mindset
You should be someone who gets excited by complex problems and can find creative ways to solve them no matter what your level of knowledge and experience with the subject matter and with minimal supervision. You should be able to digest and filter complexity to extract the most important details from a scenario and identify ways forward. 

Goal driven and not afraid to get stuck in
We like to set ambitious goals and find creative ways to hit them, even if that means rolling up our sleeves and doing manual tasks before we’ve managed to fully automate them. You should have a bias towards action and getting things done.

Good technical knowledge
You should be able to analyse client interactions and files to identify key risks and development opportunities around Consumer Duty, Advice/Guidance boundary, Suitability coaching and soft skills. 

Knowledge required

• 5+ years experience of risk management within financial services, preferably with some experience of financial advice or wealth management

• Proven track record of developing and implementing effective risk management strategies and frameworks

• Strong knowledge of risk management principles, methodologies, and tools

• You will be able to produce and deliver training on key business themes and needs as and when required

Nice to have (but not necessary)

• Knowledge around the suitability of advice and the advice/guidance boundary. 

In return for your contribution we offer a base salary of £90,000 - £120,000 DOE + benefits