Head of Risk

  • Willow Resourcing
  • Manchester, Lancashire
  • Feb 14, 2026
Full time Banking

Job Description

Your first Head of Risk role, that's what.

And a clear path to the SMF4 role when you're ready.

It's been a frustrating market for anyone looking to step up into a Head of Risk role, let alone their 1st SMF4 position, with most employers tending to replace like with like, focusing on those already experienced at this level.

But this forward-thinking client sees this position as an ideal opportunity for you to make that step up.

You'll be reporting into a very highly respected Chief Risk Officer who'll provide you with all the support you need to be successful.

Come in as Head of Risk, without the added responsibility of the SMF4 function.

And then take on the SMF4 position when you're happy and ready to do so.

Yes, you can have your cake and eat it!

What you'll be doing

You'll be working for an established, successful Financial Services firm that has seen revenues double in the last 3 years.

Managing a small team of 5, you'll own the Enterprise Risk Management Framework and develop, embed and monitor the Risk Appetite framework, including KRIs and tolerances.

You'll lead and support risk identification, assessment and reporting across all business areas and produce high quality risk reporting for the Board and Committees, including emerging risk analysis.

You'll provide independent challenge to business strategy and new product development and support stress and scenario testing and capital risk assessment.

You'll also oversee the ORSA process.

What we're looking for

You'll be an experienced Risk Manager from the Financial Services sector; we're not hung up on any specific market experience as long as you've been working in FS for a number of years.

You'll have a proven track record of managing and developing small teams and will be able to demonstrate the ability to act as a trusted and pragmatic business partner with experience of successfully challenging senior management as and when required.

Experience of working in a PRA-regulated environment would be advantageous.

Please note this is a fully office-based role and so you must be able to commute into the firm's Head Office in Manchester City Centre 5 days a week.

Interested?

If so, click apply and send over your CV.

Not got an up to date CV?

Don't worry, you can always give me (Mark) a call on for a confidential discussion or email me at letting me know that you're interested. We'll pick it up from there.

Company: Fast-growing Financial Services firm

Location: Greater Manchester

Workplace: Onsite

Reference: 415238a

To apply for this position, please click on 'Apply Now' button or email your CV together with details of your current remuneration to quoting reference 415238a.

Willow Resourcing, 2nd Floor, 3 Brindley Place, Birmingham, B1 2JB.