Job Description
Job Description
As AJ Bell continues to grow and evolve, we are strengthening our Risk function and are looking for an experienced Head of Enterprise Risk Management to lead the Group’s risk management capability during an exciting period of development and transformation.
The Head of Enterprise Risk Management will own the design, enhancement, and delivery of our risk management framework — ensuring it remains forward‑looking, proportionate, and fully aligned to our strategic ambitions and regulatory obligations.
This is a high‑impact role at the heart of the organisation that balances strategic insight with practical implementation. You will provide independent challenge and support to the business, helping leaders make well informed, risk aware decisions while strengthening our overall risk culture.
You will also act as business owner for our Governance, Risk and Compliance system, driving better data, smarter processes, and clearer risk accountability across the organisation.
You will work closely with the Board, Executive Committee, and Risk and Compliance Committee, providing high quality risk insight that supports strong governance and good customer outcomes.
What you will do:
Enterprise Risk Management and strategy
- Lead the evolution of the Group’s risk management framework, ensuring it meets FCA expectations and grows with the business.
- Develop and maintain the risk taxonomy, risk policies, and supporting standards to ensure consistency across the Group.
- Continuously align risk management to strategy, regulatory change, and good‑practice developments.
Risk appetite and decision support
- Lead periodic reviews of the risk appetite framework to ensure it remains relevant, measurable, and practical.
- Embed risk appetite metrics into strategic planning and decision making across the organisation.
- Provide independent second line challenge on strategic initiatives, change programmes, and new product proposals.
- Support leaders in understanding and managing risks effectively, helping to build a strong risk-aware culture.
GRC system leadership
- Act as business owner for the GRC system, ensuring it is used effectively across all business areas.
- Drive automation, improved data quality, and more efficient risk management practices.
- Provide guidance and training to first line risk owners to maximise the system’s value.
Enterprise risk oversight
- Lead second line oversight of key risk categories including strategic, operational, technology, and conduct risks.
- Coordinate identification and assessment of emerging risks, including regulatory and market developments.
- Ensure timely escalation of risk issues and trends to senior management and governance committees.
- Oversee quarterly and annual risk reporting to the Board and senior committees.
- Contribute to the Group ICARA process, including scenario analysis and material harm workshops.
- Implement and oversee risk and control self assessments across the organisation.
Stakeholder engagement
- Build strong, collaborative relationships across the business while maintaining independent challenge.
- Promote risk awareness through training and leadership engagement.
- Work closely with Compliance and Internal Audit to support effective combined assurance.
About you:
We are looking for an experienced ERM leader who brings credibility, pragmatism, and strong stakeholder skills. You will ideally have:
- Significant experience in enterprise risk management within FCA regulated financial services.
- Proven experience embedding risk frameworks and risk appetite disciplines into day to day business activity.
- Experience owning or implementing a GRC system.
- Confidence engaging with Executives and the Board.
- Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
- Experience leading and developing a high performing risk team.
You will also be:
- Pragmatic and commercially aware in your approach to risk.
- Able to explain complex risk concepts in clear, business friendly language.
- Collaborative, supportive, and constructive in your challenge.
- Forward looking, with a keen eye on emerging risks and regulatory change.
- Passionate about continuous improvement in risk processes and systems.
About AJ Bell
AJ Bell is one of the UK’s fastest-growing investment platform businesses, providing award-winning solutions for everyone, from professional financial advisers to first-time investors.
Today, over 644,000 customers trust us to manage more than £103.3 billion of assets. By continually striving to make investing simpler and more accessible, we’re helping more people take control of their financial futures.
We’re proud to be recognised as one of the UK’s Best 100 Companies to Work For for six consecutive years, and a Great Place to Work® in 2025 and 2026 a reflection of our supportive and collaborative culture.
What we offer
- 28 days holiday, increasing with service + buy/sell scheme + bank holidays
- 8% Pension with matched contributions
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Share schemes (including free shares and BAYE)
- Health Cash Plan and discounted private healthcare
- Free onsite gym
- Enhanced family leave (subject to qualifying criteria)
- Travel and bike loan schemes
- Employee Assistance Programme
Life at AJ Bell
- Regular social events including summer and Christmas parties
- Learning and development opportunities tailored to you
- Casual dress code
- Friendly, supportive team environment
Our ways of working
We offer hybrid working, with a minimum of 50% of your working time per month spent in the office.
For new starters, there’s an initial period of full-time office working to help you settle in and build relationships.
Inclusion & diversity
We’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and able to be themselves at work.
We welcome applications from all backgrounds and make hiring decisions based on skills, experience and potential.
