Manager, 1st Line Risk & Controls

We moved into our new HQ in the City of London in 2018. We’re close to our clients, in the heart of the UK’s financial centre and we have everything we need to work flexibly.

The Group-level 1st Line Risk & Controls team is the central hub for first-line control excellence, frameworks, standards and strategic delivery across Schroders. It is part of the Finance team and works with embedded Business Control Officers across the group.

The team defines first-line standards, drives consistency, consolidates MI, supports governance, provides targeted control advisory support, and helps move the control environment from reactive issue management to proactive risk identification, control effectiveness and automation-enabled monitoring. It is at the center of the hub-and-spoke model, focusing on frameworks, standards, RCA / RCSA consistency, material controls, MI, escalation, evidence expectations and risk-based testing, in addition to Finance-specific control priorities including ISAE 3402 support, operational resilience reporting, third-party risk management, operational due diligence, Finance transformation control uplift and CFO / COO governance reporting.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, 1st Line Risk & Controls, the Manager will support the development and execution of first-line control frameworks, standards, MI, issue/risk event management and testing activity across Finance and related group control priorities.

The role will support framework implementation, Including; RCA / RCSA coordination, material controls, management information, remediation tracking, control testing coordination, thematic analysis and governance reporting, including support for Finance leadership, Group CFO / Group COO reporting and relevant committee materials.

This role is suited to a risk and control professional who is analytical, organised, collaborative and keen to build expertise in first-line control management within a global asset management environment.

Support the implementation and ongoing enhancement of first-line control frameworks, standards and operating expectations.

Help document and maintain minimum standards for control design, evidence, MI, escalation, issue/risk event management and control testing.

Support business areas in applying central standards consistently and practically.

Maintain central guidance, templates, trackers and working documents for embedded Business Control Officers.

Support the application of Finance-specific control standards across key Finance processes, including financial control, reporting, cost processes, supplier lifecycle controls and management information.

Support RCA / RCSA coordination across business areas, including planning, status tracking, action follow-up and quality review.

Assist with the collection, analysis and documentation of risk and control information.

Review RCA / RCSA outputs to identify gaps, inconsistencies, overdue actions or areas requiring further challenge.

Support aggregation of RCA / RCSA results into thematic reporting and senior management MI.

Support the embedding of material controls and RCSA outputs into Finance governance, ensuring Finance risks, controls, actions and evidence are consistently captured and capable of senior management review.

Produce and maintain risk and control MI, dashboards, governance materials and reporting packs.

Support the sourcing, validation and aggregation of risk and control data, ensuring information is complete, accurate and timely.

Analyse control data, issue trends, incidents, KRIs, audit actions and testing results to identify themes and escalation items.

Help maintain consistent reporting templates, metrics and data standards across business areas.

Support Finance and group-level governance reporting, including preparation of risk and control inputs for Group CFO / Group COO materials, Operating Committee activity, Group Risk Committee and Board Audit and Risk Committee reporting where required.

Track risk issues, control gaps, audit actions, remediation plans and management actions to completion.

Monitor overdue or off-track actions and support escalation where appropriate.

Support root cause and lessons-learned analysis for significant risk events, incidents or recurring control issues.

Work with embedded Business Control Officers to ensure remediation updates are clear, timely and supported by appropriate evidence.

Support the coordination of remediation arising from Internal Audit reviews, external assurance activity, Finance control reviews and other material Finance control matters.

Support risk-based control testing, including planning, evidence gathering, documentation of results and action tracking.

Assist with thematic reviews across business areas where risks or control weaknesses are recurring or material.

Support the development of evidence standards and testing templates.

Contribute to improvements in reporting, processes, controls, automation and data quality.

Provide PMO support for central 1st Line Controls initiatives, meetings and action tracking.

Assist with Finance-specific assurance and control activities, including ISAE 3402 engagement support, operational resilience reporting, third-party risk management, operational due diligence and control uplift linked to Finance transformation initiatives.

Work closely with embedded Business Control Officers, business teams, Group Risk, Compliance, Internal Audit and other stakeholders.

Support the sharing of good practice across business areas.

Help promote risk awareness, accountability and consistent ways of working across the First Line.

Work with Finance leadership and embedded control officers to promote clear ownership of Finance risks and controls, with practical escalation routes and a focus on pragmatic control design.

Relevant experience in operational risk, controls, audit, assurance, compliance, finance controls, investment operations or another relevant financial services discipline.

Understanding of Finance processes and controls, including financial reporting, management reporting, supplier payments, reconciliations, audit actions and Finance governance.

Good understanding of risk and control concepts, including RCA / RCSA, control design, issue management, control testing and risk reporting.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret risk data and translate it into actionable insights.

Strong attention to detail and ability to manage trackers, actions, MI and documentation accurately.

Good written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly and concisely.

Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships across teams and functions.

Strong Excel and PowerPoint skills.

Experience in asset management, wealth management, investment operations, finance controls or another regulated financial services environment.

Experience supporting RCA / RCSA, control testing, issue tracking, audit actions or risk governance processes.

Experience using Power BI, data analytics, workflow tools or GRC systems.

Working towards, or interested in pursuing, a relevant professional qualification such as IRM, ICA, CIA, ACA, ACCA, CFA or equivalent.

Exposure to Finance control frameworks, ISAE 3402, operational resilience, third-party risk management, operational due diligence or material controls would be beneficial.

Experience supporting transformation, control uplift or operating model change.

Familiarity with operational resilience, third-party risk, financial crime, conduct risk, product governance or CASS would be beneficial, depending on business coverage.

Our purpose is to deliver excellent investment performance to clients through active management. We believe diverse perspectives and an inclusive culture help us make better decisions and achieve better outcomes for our clients. That's why inclusion is a strategic priority for us, and we are an equal opportunities employer. You are welcome here, regardless of your age, disability, gender identity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, or any other protected characteristic.

We will consider flexible working arrangements for all roles and provide reasonable accommodations to support applicants and employees, including those with neurodiversity, disability, or physical and mental health needs. For more information, please visit our FAQs.