Job Description

Work with each functional Head of Risk on the Division’s risk t oversight, review, and report on the Division’s risk management activities. The Quality Assurance Manager will operate a program of regular checks and more broadly based thematic reviews to test the standards of risk management, compliance with Regulatory frameworks, Risk Appetite, Risk Policies and Procedures as well as the effectiveness of risk controls operated.

• Operate the Risk Quality Assurance Framework, to support embedding of the Risk Management Framework. The scope extends across Conduct, Compliance, Financial Crime, Credit and Operational Risk
• Execute a scheduled program of regular sample checks and controls testing, ‘deep dives’ as well as more broadly-based thematic reviews – working in conjunction with the functional Risk Heads. Reviews will cover the Division’s activities as well as those of internally and externally Outsourced Service Providers
• Prepare written reports on reviews undertaken and report findings and recommendations to the Commercial Divisions Risk Committee – agree required remediation actions and follow-up on progress to ensure items are closed. Maintain an accessible and transparent audit trail of activities and reviews
• Assist the Head of Assurance in the recruitment of new Q Managers (and Assistant QA Managers) by learning the Banks recruitment and interview processes, taking second chair in interviews when required
• Support new joiners achieve sign off by assisting the Head of Assurance in taking all new joiners through the agreed route to competency framework. Including training, feedback, and peer to peer reviews
• Provide advice and guidance on activities and controls requiring improvement as well as any associated resourcing and training needs
• Take the lead on designing and implementing new Thematic reviews as requested by the Business area / stakeholders
• Chair weekly calibration sessions between the Commercial QA Team and Commercial Underwriting Managers. Including collating the weekly agenda as well as assigning and tracking any actions
• Deputize for the Head of Assurance at meetings, including the divisions risk committee, when required
• Support the Self-Assessment review and reporting process
• Input to the development, review, and maintenance of the Risk Management Framework- in particular: Asset Class Policies; Risk Policies and Procedures; Risk Appetite metrics; Key Risk Indicators; and MI reporting
• Monitor outputs from risk reports to inform on trends and areas for assurance checking
• Contribute to the oversight and review of Intermediary Brokers - support bespoke reviews of the most significant Brokers when required
• Input to risk-related project work as required, including due diligence on business and portfolio acquisitions

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Risk or audit qualification preferable
• University degree preferred. Minimum 3 x A-Level passes, and GCSE (or equivalent) passes in English and Math’s
• Background in QA / QC processes regarding all areas of Risk including Credit, Conduct and Compliance, Operational and Financial Crime.
• Audit, assurance, risk consultancy or training background an advantage
• At least 3 years’ experience in the Commercial Mortgage Sector preferred
• Experience of Credit Underwriting
• Sound knowledge of Quality assurance processes and gap analysis
• Ability to translate findings into constructive solutions
• Ability to produce meaningful, concise reports at committee level
• Regulatory Frameworks – notably MCOB and SYSC
• Risk Policies
• Excellent customer service, presentation, and negotiation skills with both internal and external parties
• High level of Computer proficiency (good knowledge of MS Office suite – Excel, Word, Power-Point, with relevant analytical software)
• Good Understanding of risk and risk-related concepts
• High level of numeracy and analytical skills
• Be familiar with key risk indicators, linking these to risks and control