Operational Risk

Location:
Head Office, London

Hours:
Monday to Friday, 9:00am–5:30pm (with flexibility as required)

Working Pattern:
Hybrid (50/50)

Reports to:
Head of New Business – Specialist Mortgages & Bridging Finance

Department
: Specialist Mortgages & Bridging Finance

About HTB
Hampshire Trust Bank
is a specialist bank, staffed by experts focused on helping UK businesses realise their ambitions. 'Excellence through specialism' is how we talk about our vision and values.

We offer niche specialty lines, as a SME bank, targeting under-served segments. Our dedicated Wholesale Finance, Bridging Finance, Development Finance and Specialist Mortgages teams ensure that businesses receive the outstanding service, lasting relationships, integrity and expertise they need to prosper.

We provide savings accounts to individuals and businesses and since we lend to SMEs, our savers can be sure their money will help boost the British economy. Our vision is to be the go-to bank in our chosen markets; to deliver positive customer outcomes, rewarding careers and great shareholder value through a high-performing culture grounded in excellence and integrity.

About The Role
This is a 1st Line of Defence role, responsible for identifying and managing risks within the business, and working in close partnership with the 2nd Line Risk and Compliance functions.

The Operational Risk & Controls Manager will ensure that risk management and control practices are embedded across the Specialist Mortgages and Bridging Finance divisions. The role will lead the divisional Risk and Control Self-Assessment (RCSA), oversee Corrective Action Plans (CAPs), and ensure that operational risk frameworks are effectively implemented and continuously improved.

Key Responsibilities
Risk Management

• Develop and implement a robust risk management framework tailored to the division.
• Identify, assess, monitor, and report on operational, financial, regulatory, and reputational risks.
• Manage the recording, reporting, and root cause analysis of operational risk events.
• Provide risk insights to inform strategic decision-making and product development.
• Lead the quarterly RCSA process, ensuring risks, controls, and actions are accurately captured, assessed, and reviewed with business owners.
• Ensure root cause analysis of risk events drives meaningful control improvements.
• Maintain oversight of all CAPs, ensuring timely remediation, escalation, and validation of completion.
• Facilitate quarterly control testing and challenge the effectiveness of risk mitigations.
• Produce and interpret management information (MI) and trend analysis from RCSA and risk event data to support informed decision-making.

Compliance Management

• Ensure adherence to all relevant regulatory requirements and internal policies.
• Act as the primary point of contact for the 1st line QA and Complaints teams, assisting them with their work, helping us learn and improve from their findings, and educating them on our strategy and operations.
• Act as the primary point of contact for 2nd line Compliance colleagues, assisting them with their work, helping us learn and improve from their findings, and educating them on our strategy and operations.
• Represent the business on regulatory compliance and risk management projects

Operational Resilience

• Support the business in building out its operational resilience framework.
• Represent the business in Business Incident Management groups as required.
• Work with the 1st line Operational Resilience team to help us learn and improve from business incidents and incident testing activity.
• Drive ownership of business continuity and incident management plans within the division, ensuring lessons learned and test results feed into ongoing resilience improvements.
• Own and maintain the divisional Business Continuity Plan and RCSA.

Governance and Reporting

• Prepare and present risk and compliance reports to management, including key risk indicators and mitigation strategies.
• Along with the Managing Director, represent the division CORC and other committees as appropriate.
• Timely submission of divisional risk MI to CORC and other governance forums, ensuring accuracy and clarity of insight.
• Proactive tracking of audit and assurance findings to ensure closure.
• Ensure key risks, issues, and remediation progress are clearly documented and communicated to senior management.
• Input into board or divisional packs where risk insights are required.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Management

• Work closely with colleagues across the division to embed risk and compliance considerations and ethos into day-to-activities and planning.
• Embed risk awareness and ownership into both strategic initiatives and day-to-day decision-making.
• Support the business in its management of third-party service providers, ensuring their compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements.

Essential
What we're looking for

• Extensive experience in risk and/or compliance roles within financial services
• Strong knowledge of FCA and PRA regulatory frameworks and requirements.
• Proven ability to develop and implement effective risk and compliance frameworks.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a keen eye for detail.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to present to senior executives.

Desirable

• Relevant professional qualifications
• Experience in a fast-growing, entrepreneurial financial services environment.
• Knowledge of banking operations and systems.

Benefits

• Competitive remuneration
• Discretionary annual bonus
• Annual pay review
• Private Medical Insurance (Bupa)
• Mental health & wellbeing support via YuLife & Bupa
• 25 days annual leave (increasing with service) + Holiday Buy Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme & Green Car Scheme
• Enhanced family leave policies
• Study support & professional membership
• YuLife Rewards – discounts on retail, lifestyle & experiences
• Pension scheme – 8% employer contribution (non-contributory)
• Interest-free season ticket loan
• Annual volunteering day & Net Zero employer commitment