Waterhouse-Kern Associates is seeking an interim Senior Risk Manager for a Financial Services client in Central London. This will initially be a 6 month contract though there may be an opportunity to go permanent for the right person.
The Role
We are looking for an experienced Senior Risk Manager to support our Risk function on an interim basis. This is a hands-on role focused on 2nd line risk oversight, with a particular emphasis on model risk and model governance.
The role will suit someone with strong experience in consumer credit or fintech, with deep exposure to credit risk models, alongside broader enterprise risk management experience.
As a growing and dynamic business, we are looking for someone who can apply pragmatic, proportionate risk management, balancing strong governance with commercial reality.
Key responsibilities
• Provide independent 2nd line risk oversight and challenge across the business
• Oversee and enhance model risk frameworks, including governance, validation, and controls
• Review and challenge credit risk models and model outputs
• Identify gaps in model risk and risk governance frameworks and implement pragmatic improvements
• Support the ongoing delivery of the Enterprise Risk Management framework
• Contribute to risk reporting, including materials for senior governance forums
• Support monitoring of risk appetite, including escalation of key issues
• Support scenario analysis and stress testing activities where required
• Participate in risk governance forums and committees
• Identify emerging risks, including those related to models and new technologies (e.g. AI)
• Work closely with stakeholders across the business to promote strong risk practices
Who you are
• Pragmatic and commercially minded, able to apply proportionate risk management rather than overly theoretical approaches
• Comfortable operating in a dynamic, evolving environment (not a large bank structure)
• Hands-on and delivery-focused, with a willingness to “roll sleeves up”
• Proactive and able to take ownership of work independently
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Collaborative and team-oriented approach
• Confident in providing effective challenge in a constructive way
What you'll need
Required
• Strong experience in model risk oversight and model governance (essential)
• Proven experience in 2nd line risk (essential)
• Background in consumer credit and/or fintech (essential)
• Experience with credit risk models (development, validation, oversight)
• Strong analytical capability, with the ability to interpret complex models and translate insights into practical actions
• Able to quickly understand complex problems and apply sound, proportionate judgement
• Ability to operate effectively in a hands-on, fast-paced environment
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Demonstrable experience operating in a similar Senior Risk Manager / equivalent role
• Strong understanding of risk frameworks, governance, and FCA regulatory expectations
Desirable
• Degree in a quantitative or analytical discipline (e.g. Mathematics, Economics, Finance, Engineering or similar)
• Exposure to AI or machine learning models
• Experience in stress testing or scenario analysis
• Experience in scaling or high-growth organisations
• Broader experience across enterprise risk management