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Operational Risk Specialist

Knutsford, United Kingdom; Northampton, United Kingdom

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Date live: 22/09/2025

Business Area: Fraud Analytics Strategy Technology

Area of Expertise: Risk and Quantitative Analytics

Contract: Permanent

Reference Code: JR-0000063895

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Barclays Risk

In Risk Barclays develops, recommends, and implements controls and cost-effective approaches to minimise Barclay's risks, identifies and analyses potential sources of loss to minimise risk and estimate the potential financial consequences of an occurring loss.

Join Barclays as an Operational Risk Specialist, where you’ll be responsible for providing analysis, review and investigate of the operational risk elements within specific risk categories across the bank, ensuring they are guided in accordance with Barclays’ Enterprise Risk Framework, Policies, and Standards.

To be successful as you should have:

  • Risk & Controls Expertise – Strong knowledge of risk frameworks, controls, and regulatory expectations. Skilled in RCSAs, analysing risk events, and challenging first-line activities.
  • Analytical Thinking – Ability to interpret risk data, spot trends, and assess emerging risks through scenario analysis, RICM assessments, and issue closure.
  • Stakeholder Engagement – Experience influencing senior stakeholders and collaborating with SMEs in areas such as Cyber, Technology, and Resilience.

Some other highly valued skills may include:

  • Digital & Technology Acumen – Familiarity with JIRA, ORAC, Service First, Navigator, and data analytics platforms.
  • Strategic Thinking – Aligning operational risk insights with business strategy to support mitigation and long-term planning.
  • Change Awareness – Understanding of risk impacts during transformation and financial planning cycles.

You may be assessed on the key critical skills relevant for success in role, such as risk and controls, change and transformation, business acumen strategic thinking and digital and technology, as well as job-specific technical skills.

This role is based in Knutsford and Northampton.

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.

Assistant Vice President Expectations

  • To advise and influence decision making, contribute to policy development and take responsibility for operational effectiveness. Collaborate closely with other functions/ business divisions.
  • Lead a team performing complex tasks, using well developed professional knowledge and skills to deliver on work that impacts the whole business function. Set objectives and coach employees in pursuit of those objectives, appraisal of performance relative to objectives and determination of reward outcomes
  • If the position has leadership responsibilities, People Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviours to create an environment for colleagues to thrive and deliver to a consistently excellent standard. The four LEAD behaviours are: L – Listen and be authentic, E – Energise and inspire, A – Align across the enterprise, D – Develop others.
  • OR for an individual contributor, they will lead collaborative assignments and guide team members through structured assignments, identify the need for the inclusion of other areas of specialisation to complete assignments. They will identify new directions for assignments and/ or projects, identifying a combination of cross functional methodologies or practices to meet required outcomes.
  • Consult on complex issues; providing advice to People Leaders to support the resolution of escalated issues.
  • Identify ways to mitigate risk and developing new policies/procedures in support of the control and governance agenda.
  • Take ownership for managing risk and strengthening controls in relation to the work done.
  • Perform work that is closely related to that of other areas, which requires understanding of how areas coordinate and contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the organisation sub-function.
  • Collaborate with other areas of work, for business aligned support areas to keep up to speed with business activity and the business strategy.
  • Engage in complex analysis of data from multiple sources of information, internal and external sources such as procedures and practises (in other areas, teams, companies, etc).to solve problems creatively and effectively.
  • Communicate complex information. 'Complex' information could include sensitive information or information that is difficult to communicate because of its content or its audience.
  • Influence or convince stakeholders to achieve outcomes.

All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship – our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right. They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge and Drive – the operating manual for how we behave.

Barclays welcomes applications from all candidates and is committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments (accommodations) are put in place to allow for a fair and inclusive recruitment process. For more information and how to request one, please review Adjustments to the recruitment process.

We’re a global, vital and highly respected financial organisation with an inspiring Purpose. Operating in 39 countries and employing around 100,000 people across the world, we help communities, individuals and businesses thrive. And we’ve created financial solutions and technology that the world now takes for granted. A career with us can offer incredible variety, depth and breadth of experience, and the chance to learn from some of the best minds in technology and finance.

To find out more about Barclays' strategy please click here.

We are an equal opportunity employer and opposed to discrimination on any grounds. It is the policy of Barclays to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, colour, creed, religion, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by law.

Barclays is required by law to confirm that you have the Legal Right to Work in any role that you apply for. If you currently hold a work visa sponsored by Barclays, or you would require sponsorship from Barclays, you must declare this as part of your application. Sponsored visas are role and entity specific and any changes must be reviewed. It is important that you ensure you are working on the correct visa at all times. Failure to accurately disclose your visa status or Legal Right to Work may result in your application or any employment offer being withdrawn at any time.

This is Barclays Manchester

Barclays Knutsford is a world-class campus in the heart of the Cheshire countryside, and at the centre of our global operations. The place where it all happens. The place where we deliver the technology, security and customer care that our personal and corporate banking customers rely on 24/7/365.

Our redeveloped campus offers state-of-the art, collaborative workspaces set within 64 acres of lush gardens and surrounded by wildlife.

To ensure our campus is accessible to everyone, we offer a shuttle bus from the local bus, tram, and train stations on weekdays.

There are endless opportunities to socialise, pursue personal interests, visit the onsite gym, or join one of our many clubs and groups.

We run amazing experiences, from firework displays to gigs, diverse celebrations and art & crafts sessions. There’s something for you.

This is Barclays Manchester

Barclays Knutsford is a world-class campus in the heart of the Cheshire countryside, and at the centre of our global operations. The place where it all happens. The place where we deliver the technology, security and customer care that our personal and corporate banking customers rely on 24/7/365.

A workplace like no other

Our redeveloped campus offers state-of-the art, collaborative workspaces set within 64 acres of lush gardens and surrounded by wildlife.

Your commute

To ensure our campus is accessible to everyone, we offer a shuttle bus from the local bus, tram, and train stations on weekdays.

Much more than work

There are endless opportunities to socialise, pursue personal interests, visit the onsite gym, or join one of our many clubs and groups.

Immersive events

We run amazing experiences, from firework displays to gigs, diverse celebrations and art & crafts sessions. There’s something for you.

Multicultural ERGs at Barclays

Be you. Be valued. Belong.

We celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences each individual brings, believing our differences make us stronger and drive success.

You can learn more about our commitment to our colleague on our Inclusion and Opportunities page.

Learn more

Application Process

Your application

We’ll ask for information about you, your CV and cover letter.

1

Your assessment

Covering your behaviours and ability at work.

2

Your interview

Exploring your past experiences and skills.

3

Next step

We’ll request additional information so that you can complete our screening process

4
Barclays

Working flexibly

We’re committed to providing a supportive and inclusive culture and environment for you to work in. This environment recognises and supports your personal needs, alongside the professional needs of our business. If you'd like to explore flexible working arrangements, please discuss this with the hiring manager. Your request will be reviewed in-line with the requirements of the role/business needs of the team.

Hybrid working

We have a structured approach to hybrid working, where colleagues work at an onsite location on fixed, ‘anchor’, days, as set by the business area. Please discuss the working pattern requirements for the role you are applying for with the hiring manager. Please note that working arrangements may be subject to change on reasonable notice to ensure we meet the needs of our business.

Barclays is built on an international scale.

Our geographic reach, our wide variety of functions, businesses, roles and locations reflect the rich diversity of our worldwide customer base. All of which means we offer incredible variety, depth and breadth of experience.
And the chance to learn from a globally diverse mix of colleagues, including some of the very best minds in banking, finance, technology and business. Throughout, we’ll encourage you to embrace mobility, exploring every part of our operations as you build your career.

Find more information

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Multicultural ERGs at Barclays

Be you. Be valued. Belong.

We celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences each individual brings, believing our differences make us stronger and drive success.

You can learn more about our commitment to our colleague on our Inclusion and Opportunities page.

Learn more