St. James’s Place
Operational Risk & Regulatory Change Analyst
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With our refreshed strategy, we’re building on our rich heritage and transforming our business to be more scalable and efficient, unlocking the capabilities needed for future success. This includes significantly investing in technology, streamlining the way we work and creating an environment where colleagues feel engaged, empowered and accountable; where they can show up, speak up and perform - because we believe in the difference our work makes.
At a glance:
- Location: Cirencester Office or Bristol
- Workplace Type: Hybrid (2 days in office)
- Employment Type: 12 month Fixed-Term Contract
- Seniority: Mid-Senior Level
About The Role
Partner Finance is a core driver of the Partnership’s long-term growth and sustainability, responsible for delivering the Business Sale and Purchase (BSP) scheme and wider lending solutions that support Partner businesses at every stage of their lifecycle. From enabling growth and acquisition to support succession and exit, it plays a meaningful role in shaping the future of the Partnership.
Operating within this environment, risk management, regulatory compliance and effective change delivery are fundamental to ensuring the continued success and integrity of the division. As regulatory expectations evolve, Partner Finance must maintain a strong, forward-looking control framework that not only protects the business but also delivers good outcomes for customers and Partners.
As an Operational Risk & Regulatory Change Analyst, you will sit at the heart of this activity. Working as part of the first line of defence, you will oversee the day-to-day risk environment, ensuring robust controls are in place and remain effective as the regulatory landscape evolves. You will play a key role in embedding strong governance practices, supporting the implementation of regulatory change, and providing assurance that risks are appropriately identified, managed and kept within appetite.
This is a highly collaborative and visible role, working closely with Compliance, Group Risk and senior stakeholders across the Partnership to drive a proactive and commercially aligned approach to risk and regulatory change.
What you’ll be doing
- Lead the identification and assessment of existing and emerging operational risks across Partner Finance, including its BSP and lending activities
- Partner with Risk and Control Owners to evaluate key controls, find opportunities for efficiency, and drive continuous improvement in control effectiveness
- Design and deliver the annual control testing plan, providing clear insight and assurance to stakeholders on control performance and effectiveness
- Oversee risk and control actions within Riskonnect, ensuring timely delivery, clear accountability and effective mitigation of identified risks
- Lead and coordinate periodic Risk & Control Self-Assessments (RCSAs), ensuring robust and accurate attestation across the division
- Contribute subject matter expertise to group-wide initiatives, supporting the implementation of new regulatory requirements and strengthening the overall risk framework
- Provide targeted assurance over key controls and processes, both within Partner Finance and across the wider business
- Deliver insightful reporting on risk and control performance to divisional governance forums, supporting informed decision-making at a senior level
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Who we’re looking for
We’re looking for an experienced operational risk professional who brings strong regulatory knowledge alongside a proactive, commercially aware mindset. You’ll be confident operating in a complex financial services environment, able to interpret evolving regulatory requirements and translate them into practical, effective controls.
You’ll be comfortable engaging with senior stakeholders, providing clear and constructive challenge where needed, and ensuring that both existing and emerging risks are understood, assessed and effectively managed. A strong focus on delivering good customer outcomes and maintaining regulatory integrity will be central to your approach.
You’ll also be someone who looks beyond process, continuously identifying opportunities to strengthen the control environment, improve efficiency and embed a forward-looking approach to risk management.
Essential skills and experience:
- Proven experience leading or supporting operational risk and controls activity within Financial Services, ideally in lending, credit or consumer finance environments
- Strong understanding of risk management frameworks and best practice, including control design and assessment
- Experience of FCA regulation and frameworks, including areas such as Consumer Duty, RCSA and broader risk governance
- Knowledge of lending-related risks and conflicts of interest
- Ability to assess complex risk scenarios and translate them into clear, practical and actionable recommendations
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to engage and influence at a senior level
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Desirable skills and experience:
- Experience contributing to or delivering regulatory change or transformation initiatives within an operational or risk environment
- A relevant professional qualification or degree in risk, compliance, finance or a related discipline
What's in it for you?
We reward you for the work you do, whether that’s through our discretionary annual bonus scheme that reflects both personal and company performance, competitive annual leave allowance (28 days plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase an additional 5 days), or online rewards platform with a variety of discounts.
We also have benefits to support whatever stage of life you are in, including:
- Competitive parental leave (26 weeks full pay)
- Private medical insurance (optional taxable benefit)
- 10% non-contributory pension (increasing with length of service)
Reasonable Adjustments
We're an equal opportunities employer and want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive for all, if you require reasonable adjustment(s) at any stage please let us know by emailing us at careers@sjp.co.uk
Research tells us that applicants (especially those from underrepresented groups) can be put off from applying for a role if they do not meet all the criteria or have been on an extended career-break. If you think you would be a good match for this role and can demonstrate some transferable experience please apply, regardless of whether you tick every box.
What's next?
If you're excited about this role and believe you have the skills and experience we're looking for, we'd love to hear from you! Please submit an application by clicking ‘apply’ below and our team will be in touch.
As a business regulated by the FCA we would advise you to familiarise yourself with the conduct regulations and in particular consumer duty obligations prior to an interview with SJP.
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