The scope of risk management roles in banking is changing as businesses adapt to new regulatory requirements, rapid digital transformation, and a rising number of cyber threats. Banks are investing in strengthening their risk teams to ensure resilience against immediate financial shocks and long-term challenges. The European Central Bank, which is responsible for supporting economic growth and implementing key monetary policies in the Eurozone, set out its supervisory priorities for 2025–27. The focus will be on boosting banks’ ability to manage macro-financial risks, address known vulnerabilities, and navigate digital disruption.
This environment is creating career opportunities for professionals who combine strong regulatory expertise with technical skills in areas such as threat assessment, controls testing, and data analysis. Here are some of the in-demand risk management jobs shaping the sector.
Top risk management jobs
1. IT Risk / Cyber Security Manager
As cyber threats continue to escalate, IT Risk and Cyber Security Managers are crucial to safeguarding banks’ digital systems while ensuring compliance with evolving regulatory requirements. They design security frameworks, conduct thorough threat assessments, and lead incident response teams to manage cyber incidents effectively. Employers are looking for candidates with experience in SIEM tools like Splunk and IBM QRadar, vulnerability management platforms such as Tenable, and threat intelligence solutions to stay ahead of emerging dangers. Additionally, knowledge of cyber security protocols and risk mitigation methodologies is highly valued.
2. Outsourcing Risk Manager
Banks increasingly rely on third-party vendors to deliver key services, which introduces additional risks. Outsourcing Risk Managers oversee these external relationships, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and maintaining service quality. This role demands strong expertise in managing third-party relationships, contract exposure evaluation, and a thorough knowledge of banking regulations related to outsourcing.
3. Operational Risk Analyst
Organisations often face risks from process failures, system breakdowns, or human error, which can significantly impact operations. Analytical thinking and familiarity with regulatory and industry frameworks, such as ISO 31000, play a significant role in developing effective mitigation strategies.
4. Compliance Officer
Compliance Officers serve as the front line in managing regulatory exposures such as anti-money laundering (AML) and know your customer (KYC) compliance. They often work closely with high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, many of whom may be politically exposed, requiring an understanding of the implications this brings. Beyond ensuring adherence to policies and managing regulatory reporting, AML and KYC Specialists support internal audits and maintain comprehensive knowledge of standards such as FINMA and FATCA. Success in these roles depends on strong attention to detail, deep regulatory expertise, and clear, effective communication skills.
5. Risk and Controls Analyst
As financial institutions face complex operational threats, they rely on Risk and Controls Analysts to address these challenges by evaluating internal processes and supporting audit teams through regular reviews and flagging potential issues. Employers seek candidates with strong audit and data analysis capabilities, along with proficiency in SQL, Excel, and data visualisation tools. A thorough understanding of risk management frameworks can also give candidates a competitive edge.
6. Markets Automation Specialist
Banks are streamlining processes by developing automated software systems that improve risk monitoring and reporting efficiency. Markets Automation Specialists create and implement these solutions using platforms like UiPath and Automation Anywhere, programming languages such as Python and SQL, and tools including Bloomberg Terminal and Murex.
