Head of Financial Risk

Hodge are a financial services business focused on the retail savings, commercial lending 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.

The thing that sets us up to succeed with that mission is our people. We are so proud to have exceptional colleagues at Hodge, and we look to develop and invest in our people through their careers. Hodge is at its best when we enable our people to be their best!

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

Our Risk team is part of the Group’s second line of defence.  Its key objective is monitoring and facilitating the implementation of effective risk management practices within the business providing risk oversight and independent challenge.

Key responsibilities will include:

Reporting directly to the Chief Risk Officer your primary role will be reviewing and challenging the approach and governance of financial risk undertaken by the first line business function. You will also support the Risk team in promoting, embedding and maintaining the Group’s Risk management framework for financial risk.

• Responsible for the design, delivery and continual improvement of effective oversight and assurance of the modelling, monitoring and reporting of financial risks as well as supporting the development of policies, procedures and risk appetites in the first line.
• Embedding a methodology for ongoing monitoring reviews, including planning, testing and reporting phases.
• Supporting the oversight, challenge and reporting of key financial risk exposures and key regulatory documents such as ICAAP and ILAAP.
• Overseeing the timely and accurate reporting of risk events ensuring appropriate mitigating actions are developed.
• Maintaining up to date knowledge of PRA & Basel developments around financial risk and communicating them to the business.

What we need from you:

Candidates must have knowledge of financial risk methodologies, principles and internal controls within financial services. You will possess an appropriate combination of technical expertise in fields such as capital, liquidity, interest rate risk management, stress testing, auditing and finance along with risk management experience.

The ability to produce and present high-quality focused material for Board risk committees and to senior management is essential, along with strong communication and effective negotiation skills.

To be successful in this role you will effectively build and maintain collaborative relationships with both internal and external stakeholders at all levels across the business and have the ability to challenge business stakeholders objectively.

This is an exciting and diverse role and will suit an experienced and motivated individual who is a self-starter looking for a new challenge or the next step in their career.

Candidates will possess a relevant professional qualification and working knowledge of accounting practices along with a solid experience in financial risk management. Knowledge of the Basel regimes is a key requisite.

In return we offer:

• Based in Cardiff City Centre or remote 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
• 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.