Head of Risk Partnership
Description
You'll join AXA UK's Chief Operations Office (COO) Risk Office, helping to drive a strong risk-led culture across Technology, Security, Data and Change. Working with COO leadership, you'll embed robust working practices, so risks are identified, quantified and visible, ensuring controls are designed and operating effectively and pragmatic remediation plans are delivered. A key priority for this First Line risk function is to deliver the risk management framework across Technology, Data, Security, AI and Change Management within the COO, aligned with enterprise risk practices and customer outcomes.
As Head of Risk Partnership, you'll provide First Line Risk, Control and Audit leadership across Technology, Security, Data and Change, reporting to the COO Risk Director. You'll lead risk, control and assurance activities, advise executive leadership on risks and issues, and embed governance while shaping a forward-looking lifecycle to identify and quantify new and emerging risks (including Agentic AI) and develop target risk appetites for evolving platforms and infrastructure. You'll build and lead a team by hiring dedicated SMEs in technology, data and change, all united by a common thread of delivering robust First Line risk management.
At AXA we work smart, empowering our people to balance their time between home and the office in a way that works best for them, their team and our customers. You'll work at least two days a week (40%) away from home, moving to three days a week (60%) in the future. Away from home means either attendance at one of our office locations, visiting clients or attending industry events. We're also happy to consider flexible working arrangements, which you can discuss with Talent Acquisition.
What you'll be doing:
• Define and implement the Risk management strategy aligned to the company's risk appetite and business objectives across Technology, Security, Data and Change.
• Build, Lead and develop a high-performing team of risk professionals, including SMEs in tech, data and change, delivering 1st line risk management.
• Orchestrate the risk lifecycle: identification, assessment, monitoring and remediation; provide guidance to issue/action owners on remediation plans.
• Partner with Enterprise Risk Management, Internal and External Audit, and other stakeholders; act as a trusted advisor to COO leadership on emerging risks.
• Establish key risk indicators (KR) and oversee regular reporting to senior management; embed risk insights into governance forums.
• Ensure risk management is embedded into change programmes; apply security and resiliency by design principles.
• Engage service delivery partners to ensure maturity in risk management, controls, governance and reporting; ensure gaps/remediation are clearly governed.
• Drive continuous improvement across the COO risk landscape, including identifying and quantifying new and emerging risks (e.g., Agentic AI) and setting target risk appetites for evolving platforms and infrastructure.
Due to the number of applications, we expect to receive for this role, we reserve the right to close this advert earlier than the listed closing date to ensure we're able to effectively manage interest. Therefore, if you're interested in joining us at AXA, please don't hesitate to apply.
What you'll bring:
• Strong leadership experience, in a senior technology risk management role.
• Proven track record developing and overseeing technology, security and data risk management strategies aligned to business objectives.
• Deep knowledge of risk management methodologies and frameworks (ISO 31000, NIST, COBIT).
• Expertise in cybersecurity frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST CSF, CIS, COBIT).
• Demonstrated experience working with internal audit, external audit and regulatory bodies (FCA, PRA, ICO).
• Knowledge of Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) and other operational resilience requirements.
• Experience embedding risk frameworks and controls into change programmes.
• Broad understanding of modern technology environments, including cloud, APIs, Agentic AI and DevSecOps, with excellent stakeholder management and ability to translate technical risks into business language and reports for the Executive Committee.
As a precondition of employment for this role, you must be eligible and authorised to work in the United Kingdom.
What we offer:
At AXA UK, we're appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. You can expect to receive:
• Competitive annual salary
• Annual company & performance-based bonus
• Contributory pension scheme (up to 12% employer contributions)
• Life Assurance (up to 10 x annual salary)
• Private medical cover
• 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Opportunity to buy up to 5 extra days leave or sell up to 5 days leave
• Wellbeing services & resources
• AXA employee discounts
To apply, click on the 'apply for this job' button, you'll then need to log in or create a profile to submit your CV. We're proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer and don't discriminate against employees or potential employees based on protected characteristics. If you have a long-term condition or disability and require adjustments during the application or interview process, we're proud to offer access to the AXA Accessibility Concierge. For our support, please send an email to daniel.harrison@axa-uk.co.uk.
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Who we are:
AXA UK Support Functions power AXA's three customer-facing business units, providing the infrastructure, support and expertise to ensure our customers can always count on us. Whether you've got heaps of experience and qualifications behind you, or you're just starting out, we'll give you the support and opportunities to help you grow and develop with confidence.