Senior Investment Risk Analyst

Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Senior Investment Risk Analyst to join our second-line Risk Team at AJ Bell. In this key role, you’ll provide independent oversight of AJ Bell’s discretionary investment management activities, including the AJ Bell fund range and Model Portfolio Service (MPS).

Beyond oversight, you’ll work closely with the investments business area, helping embed our risk management framework and improving risk management processes. This role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate with stakeholders at all levels.

Access to training and support will be available where required.

What are the key responsibilities?

Investment Oversight

• Provide independent oversight of investment products and services across the Group.
• Represent risk at internal investment and client forums, offering expert insights.
• Challenge and support portfolio positioning and risk management activities.
• Provide guidance on investment governance and regulatory compliance.
• Review and approve investment mandate changes, ensuring the IPS Register is up to date.
• Develop insightful reports and analysis to monitor ex-ante risk exposures.
• Monitor and review ex-post portfolio risk & performance metrics, ensuring alignment with investor expectations.
• Prepare and present Management Information (MI) and risk reports for committees and forums.
• Stay informed on industry developments and best practices in risk management.
• Support ad-hoc projects and initiatives, ensuring risks are effectively mitigated.
• Deputise for the Head of Risk when required.

Operational / Enterprise Risk Management

• Act as a risk business partner to the Investments Team, supporting risk identification, assessment, and management.
• Review Risk Events reported by the business, identifying and addressing control gaps and deficiencies.
• Conduct control testing as part of the annual Control Effectiveness Review (CER).
• Support the Internal Capital Adequacy and Risk Assessment (ICARA) process, including facilitating scenario workshops.

What you'll have:

Knowledge & Experience

• Experience within the investment management industry (decision-making responsibilities beneficial but not essential).
• Operational/Enterprise Risk Management experience is beneficial but not essential.
• Educated to degree level—a quantitative discipline (Finance, Mathematics, or Economics) is preferred.
• Professional qualifications such as IMC or FRM are advantageous.

Skills & Attributes

• Self-motivated with a genuine interest in investment management.
• Strong understanding of equity and fixed-income asset classes and associated risk drivers.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Meticulous attention to detail with strong analytical capabilities.
• Effective planning, organisation, and time management skills.
• Commercially aware, with an understanding of the broader business landscape.

Academic research indicates that some candidates can be reluctant to apply for vacancies unless they meet every individual criterion. If the job description sounds interesting, and you feel like you could be a good fit, then please don’t let this put you off applying!

What we offer:

• Competitive starting salary
• Generous holiday allowance of 26 days, increasing up to 31 days with length of service
• Holiday buy and sell scheme
• A choice of pension schemes with matched contributions up to 7%
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Annual free share awards scheme
• Buy As You Earn (BAYE) Scheme
• Health Cash Plan – provided by SimplyHealth
• Discounted private healthcare scheme and dental plan
• Free gym membership
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Bike loan scheme
• Sick pay+ pledge
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave
• Loans for travel season tickets
• Death in service scheme
• Paid time off for volunteer work
• Charitable giving opportunities through salary sacrifice
• Calendar of social events, including monthly payday drinks, annual Christmas party, summer party and much more
• Personal development programmes built around you and your career goals, including access to personal skills workshops
• Ongoing technical training
• Professional qualification support
• Talent development programmes
• Peer recognition scheme, with rewards including restaurant and shopping vouchers or time off
• Monthly leadership breakfasts and lunches
• Casual dress code
• Access to a range of benefits from our sponsorship deals

Hybrid working:

At AJ Bell, our people are the heart of our culture. We believe in building strong connections by working together. That's why we offer a hybrid working model, where you’ll spend a minimum of 50% of your working time per month in the office. For new team members, an initial period will be full-time in the office to help you immerse yourself in our business and build valuable relationships with your colleagues.

AJ Bell is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and all employees are empowered to bring their whole self to work.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy, religion, physical and mental disability, marital status and any other characteristics protected by the Equality Act 2010. All decisions to hire are based on qualifications, merit and business need.

If you like the sound of the above, or just want to know more about the company and the role, we'd love to speak to you.

Qualifications