Senior Administrator - Risk Operations (9-month FTC)

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Administrator to join our Risk Operations team, based in A&O Shearman’s Belfast Office, on a 9-month fixed term contract.

Risk team – Belfast

The Risk Operations Senior Administrator supports the efficient operation of the Risk Operations Team/ Risk Function by delivering high-quality administrative, project, and analytical support to Risk leadership. The role coordinates key project-related activities, maintains risk data and reporting, and acts as a central point of contact for risk-related queries, contributing to effective stakeholder engagement and a strong risk culture.

It also supports the delivery of strategic risk initiatives, the maintenance of risk systems and training materials, and the administrative oversight of the firm’s global background screening programme, ensuring alignment with policies, regulatory requirements, and operational priorities.

What you will do

Risk Operations/Function Administration Support

• Support to the Global Head of Risk Operations: Provide comprehensive administrative and organisational support to the Global Head of Risk Operations, including the planning and coordination of ad hoc meetings and events (e.g. risk off-sites, discovery sessions, and training initiatives). Deliver broader administrative assistance as required to support effective function leadership.
• Risk Operations Leadership Support: Assist the Risk Operations Leadership team with the coordination of team activities and day-to-day administrative processes. Responsibilities include preparing and documenting minutes from stakeholder and client meetings, supporting team workflows, managing shared mailboxes, and maintaining trackers, reports, and internal documentation.
• Strategic Risk Project Support: Support the delivery of key strategic risk projects by scheduling and attending project meetings, producing accurate minutes and file notes, tracking project milestones, dependences and deadlines, and tracking actions through to completion. Maintain project trackers to monitor progress, outcomes, and key risks or challenges including preparation of project status reports for senior stakeholders. Support the rollout of new processes and procedures where they apply internally to the Risk Function/Operations.
• Risk Function Communications Plan Support: Support the development and delivery of the Risk Function communications strategy. This includes maintaining intranet content and distribution lists, ensuring the accuracy of the organisational structure chart, and contributing to the preparation of regular Risk Function communications (e.g. newsletters and updates).
• Risk Function Finance Support: Provide administrative support to the Risk Operations Manager in the preparation of annual budgets and the ongoing monitoring and review of monthly Risk Function financials.
• Flexible Support: Demonstrate adaptability and proactivity by undertaking additional responsibilities and providing support across the Risk Function as required.

• Risk Management: Support the Risk Operations Senior Manager and Managers in promoting a strong risk management culture across the firm. Act as a primary point of contact for general risk-related queries from global offices and teams, providing timely and consistent guidance.
• Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain effective working relationships with the business, key stakeholders, and relevant third parties to support the delivery of Risk Function objectives.
• Global Risk Register (GRR): Manage the GRR shared mailbox, ensuring timely responses to system notifications and escalating matters to Risk Operations Leadership where appropriate. Provide technical support and guidance to users on effective utilisation of the GRR platform to support risk management activities.
• Analysis and Reporting: Collate and analyse risk data to identify trends, themes, and emerging issues. Prepare and present clear, actionable insights to Risk Operations Leadership to inform decision-making.
• Training Materials: Maintain and update training materials and guidance documentation used across the firm to support risk management practices, ensuring all content remains accurate and compliant with firm policies.

• Background Checks Subject Matter Expertise (SME): Act as the first point of contact for risk-related background screening queries from global offices and Global HR. Track and manage queries, escalating where necessary, and support the provision of guidance to leadership on the firm’s global screening compliance programme.
• Project support: Support background screening and risk-related projects by scheduling and attending meetings, undertaking research, and producing accurate minutes, with a particular focus on compliance with employment screening requirements globally.
• Supplier Oversight: Engage regularly with the firm’s background screening supplier to ensure contractual obligations are met. Support the maintenance of Statements of Work (SOWs) and related documentation to ensure continued alignment with the firm’s Global Background Checks Policy.
• Administration Support: Provide administrative support across background screening activities, including the preparation of communications, presentations, and training materials. Ensure all documentation is maintained in accordance with firm policies and standards.

What you will have

• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, quality and accuracy are essential.
• Strong MS application skills, particularly Excel, PowerPoint and Power Platforms.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to juggle multiple demands and effectively prioritise tasks.
• Work collaboratively as part of a team, supporting colleagues and building successful working relationships.
• Maintain the highest standards of professionalism, confidentiality, and attention to detail in all aspects of the role.
• Communicate effectively, written and verbal, with internal and external stakeholders across global offices.
• Display a positive attitude, adaptability to change, and a commitment to personal and professional development.
• Take ownership of tasks, demonstrate initiative, and ensure the delivery of high-quality, accurate work.
• Previous experience within a risk, banking, legal or professional services environment is desirable but not essential.

What we can offer you

We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, online discounts and lifestyle management services.

We recognise the value of flexible working and embrace hybrid working, allowing our people to work from home up to 40% of their working time. We do, however, remain committed to working together in person for the remaining 60% of time so that we can learn, grow and succeed together.

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE - A&O Shearman does not accept unsolicited CVs. For further information, please see our UK Recruitment Agency Policy and our commitment to direct sourcing here.

About A&O Shearman

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world’s most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world’s leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to an inclusive environment, and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.