Senior Risk Business Partner

Introduction

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Risk Business Partner to join our Enterprise Risk team on a permanent basis based at our Darlington office on a hybrid basis.

Who we are

Railpen is responsible for the safekeeping and investment of around £34 billion in assets and the administration of several pension schemes, including the Railways Pension Scheme, one of the UK's largest and longest established pension funds.

Our heritage of looking after the pension needs of the rail industry and its employees gives us our name and our unique outlook on how we serve our members. Railpen takes a holistic view, focusing on how we serve members today and how we can positively impact the communities and the world they will retire into.

To learn more about Railpen including our values, culture and purpose, visit our LinkedIn Life page here.   

The role

As a Senior Risk Business Partner, you will work in the second line Enterprise Risk Team, support the Head of Risk Business Partnering in embedding and maintaining the Enterprise Risk Governance Framework, Policy, Directive and related processes. You will partner with risk owners and risk champions in Member Services to provide oversight, support and challenge of risk management practises in the first line. There will also be scope in this role to support other business areas. The role is Enterprise Risk  - relating to Strategic, Governance, Operational, Regulatory, Legal and Conduct risks.

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.

The person

We are looking for an experienced Senior Risk Business Partner who has assisted in the implementation of an effective risk culture, based on the Three Lines of Defence model. You will work closely with senior stakeholders and ensure a programme of engagement is planned, delivered and monitored. You will have enabled business functions to support the proactive identification, assessment, management and reporting of  risks effectively in line with regulatory and business requirements. Knowledge and experience within Pensions and Pensions administration would be an advantage.

The successful candidate will hold exceptional relationship management skills and be a trusted and knowledgeable partner to business stakeholders. You will have the ability to support across a variety of business disciplines and embrace complexity. Excellent influencing, facilitation, negotiating and communication skills are essential for you to support and challenge risk management practises in the first line and provide them with the tools and understanding to act with integrity and manage risks. You will lead by example helping to establish and embed best practice and instil a culture of innovation with the ambition of continuous improvement at the forefront.

Our values of integrity, community and alignment are the guiding principles that influence our behaviour. They help us make decisions and shape our relationships with others. They’re what we stand for. You will actively demonstrate our values, helping to create a safe environment, to place the needs of the community above oneself and, through a culture of ‘fair challenge’, align to the best interests of our members. 

What we can offer you

Rewarding you

• A competitive salary (depending on experience)
• 28 day annual leave plus bank holidays
• Generous annual bonus plan
• We provide membership of the Railways Pension Scheme, a Defined Benefit arrangement under which you get a pension for life and a lump sum when you retire, based on your length of service and pay
• 4x Life Assurance cover

Heath & Wellbeing

• Private Medical Insurance
• Employee assistance programme
• Health cash plan
• Eye care vouchers
• Flu vaccination

Lifestyle 

• We support hybrid and flexible working along with very generous family leave including 12 months full pay maternity leave and 6 months full pay paternity leave
• Buy and sell holidays
• Give as you earn scheme
• Paid volunteering days
• Flexible half days leave Electric vehicle leasing
• Cycle to work scheme 

Next Steps

Please apply for the apply button or visit our careers page by 21st October 2026. 

Railpen is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment, we value diversity and welcome people from all backgrounds and walks of life