First Line Risk Manager – EXPIRED

Hodge are a financial services business focused on the commercial lending, savings and specialist residential mortgage markets. Working at Hodge is about making a difference. That starts with our purpose: we make life better for customers and society in the moments that matter.

For over 50 years, we’ve shared the same simple mission: to really make a positive difference for our customers and communities. This ethos is in our DNA, as we are 79% owned by a charity, the Hodge Foundation.

We have achieved significant growth over the last few years and have ambitious plans to expand further.

We have an opportunity in our rapidly expanding Customer Compliance Division. Reporting to the Head of Customer Compliance, The right person will be supporting  the Retail function in assessing and managing its ongoing Conduct and Operational risks. Ensuring that a robust compliance and risk culture is in place within Hodge by providing ongoing advice and support. Provide primary support to the Retail business and be the primary point of contact for Conduct and Operational Risk queries.

Are you the one for us?

• Previous experience in financial services in a Compliance / Risk role
• Knowledge of financial services and ability to maintain knowledge of the regulatory and legislative landscape

Key responsibilities will include:

1. Assist the business units within Retail in identifying and managing their risk, with a focus on Conduct and Operational Risk.
2. Assist business units in identifying the controls they have in place to mitigate identified risks, and identify any control gaps that need addressing. Support business units owners to develop controls and embed a strong risk management culture; challenging and escalating where appropriate.
3. Work with second line risk to ensure retail risks are monitored and managed in line with group requirements.
4. Hold regular meetings with risk owners to ensure risks, internal controls and, where appropriate, risk acceptance decisions are regularly reviewed. Support business units with the maintenance and ongoing management of their risk registers
5. Provide an outward and forward-looking perspective to assist Retail leadership recognise and understand external and emerging risks and the potential impact.
6. Collate, analyse and prepare risk data for Internal Board committees. Follow up on any issues identified.
7. Oversight of Loss and Near Misses identified within Retail. Ensuring that where something has gone wrong, customers are treated fairly and where applicable, preventative controls are implemented.
8. Provide training to Retail on relevant risk processes or procedures.

Desirable experience:

• Relevant Compliance or risk qualification
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements applying to financial services products offered by Hodge

In return we offer:

• Competitive Salary
• Based in Cardiff City Centre operating in a highly flexible Hybrid workspace.
• 28 days Holiday with the option to buy more.
• Subsidised Gym Membership.
• Private Medical & Health Insurance
• Extensive learning and development programme
• Generous, personalised benefits package
• Enhanced parental leave – Up to 20 weeks paid Maternity AND Paternity leave
• Company pension contribution up to 15%
• 4 days on top of annual leave for community and charity work
• Flexible working options

Please be aware that should we pursue your application, all our Financial Services employees will be expected to complete background checks to assess suitability for employment, these include; a criminal record, identity, sanctions, adverse finance, fraud prevention and reference checks to comply with our regulatory requirements.

Hodge is an advocate of being an equal opportunities employer, We believe in promoting equality and diversity which is central to our lives today. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and recognises the value a diverse workforce brings to an organisation.

ESG and sustainability are at the heart of everything we do and serves as a reminder of the responsibility we have to our stakeholders, customers, colleagues and the communities we operate in to use our position wisely. We’re currently exploring different certifications available and have done an initial review of how we think we’d fare, as we see this as a real opportunity for Hodge given our social purpose.