Head of Operational Risk

**Date live**:
22/07/2025
**Business Area**:
Risk
**Area of Expertise**:
Risk and Quantitative Analytics
**Contract**:
Permanent
**Reference Code**:
JR-0000035153
Barclays UK Operational Risk oversees the Operational Risk profile of BUK, spanning all business areas, Retail Products (Cards, Loans, Current Account & Payments, Tesco Bank, Mortgages, Savings & Insurance), Business Banking, Customer & Digital and Barclays UK Chief Operating Office. BUK has a significant transformation agenda including integration of Tesco Bank.
The role holder will lead a team of senior risk professionals (Directors and VPs) to provide second line oversight of the Retail Product, Customer & Digital and Business Banking operational risk profiles; providing an independent view on how the risk profiles are being managed against agreed tolerances. The role holder will act as a strategic partner to the businesses, both directly and through their team, with the purpose of ensuring that the First Line of Defence effectively and optimally manages operational risk. The role holder will also be responsible for thought leadership and management of BUK wide operational risk activities.
As BUK is a ring-fenced entity, there are a number of committees and governance bodies that the role holder will represent Operational Risk on.
Purpose of the role
To provide independent review and challenge of the Operational Risk elements of particular risk categories across the bank. Ensuring they are carried out in accordance with Barclays Operational Risk Framework, Policies, and Standards
Accountabilities
Risk identification and proactive risk management, identifying interconnected, horizon and emerging risks to assist the business in understanding, managing and mitigating the right risks in line with their business strategy and objectives.
Analysis of operational risk data to identify trends, patterns, and emerging risks.
Risk-based analysis of business processes, systems, and controls to assess the likelihood and impact of identified risks.
Ongoing research and monitoring of internal and external sources to identify potential Operational Risks.
Oversight, review and challenge of 1st Line activities including - Risk Control Self Assessments (RCSAs), Risk Events, Issues and attendance at key Risk and Control meetings (with associated reporting) ensuring they accurately reflect the business risk position,.
Stakeholder management, engaging and working effectively with First and Second Line management.
Risk based 2nd Line input into 1st Line Projects, Initiatives and Strategic decision making.
Director Expectations
To manage a business function, providing significant input to function wide strategic initiatives. Contribute to and influence policy and procedures for the function and plan, manage and consult on multiple complex and critical strategic projects, which may be business wide..
They manage the direction of a large team or sub-function, leading other people managers and embedding a performance culture aligned to the values of the business. Or for an individual contributor, they lead organisation wide projects and act as deep technical expert and thought leader, identifying new ways of working and collaborating cross functionally. They will train, guide and coach less experienced specialists and provide information affecting long term profits, organisational risks and strategic decisions..
Provide expert advice to senior functional management and committees to influence decisions made outside of own function, offering significant input to function wide strategic initiatives.
Manage, coordinate and enable resourcing, budgeting and policy creation for a significant sub-function.
Escalates breaches of policies / procedure appropriately.
Foster and guide compliance, ensure regulations are observed that relevant processes in place to facilitate adherence.
Focus on the external environment, regulators, or advocacy groups to both monitor and influence on behalf of Barclays, when appropriate.
Demonstrate extensive knowledge of how the function integrates with the business division / Group to achieve the overall business objectives.
Maintain broad and comprehensive knowledge of industry theories and practices within own discipline alongside up-to-date relevant sector / functional knowledge, and insight into external market developments / initiatives.
Use interpretative thinking and advanced analytical skills to solve problems and design solutions in often complex/ sensitive situations.
Exercise management authority to make significant decisions and certain strategic decisions or recommendations within own area.
Negotiate with and influence stakeholders at a senior level both internally and externally.
Act as principal contact point for key clients and counterparts in other functions/ businesses divisions.
Mandated as a spokesperson for the function and business division.
All Senior Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviours to c