Head of Risk

Our Risk function is being established to protect loveholidays' customers, reputation, and business operations in the fast-paced online travel sector. This new team will identify, assess, and mitigate risks across our platform, from transaction security and fraud prevention to customer health & safety, operational resilience and regulatory compliance. As we scale our tech-driven marketplace connecting millions of travelers with holidays worldwide, the Risk function will ensure we continue our fast growth sustainably while maintaining trust and reliability.

Reporting to the General Counsel, the Head of Risk will be our first dedicated risk hire, establishing loveholidays' risk management capability from the ground up. You'll define and lead our risk strategy, build frameworks and controls, and embed a risk-aware culture across the organisation. This is a rare opportunity to architect an entire risk function tailored to a high-growth travel-tech business, balancing innovation with robust protection and positioning risk as a strategic enabler.

Your day-to-day:

• Building loveholidays' risk management function from scratch, including strategy, frameworks, processes, and future team structure

• Developing principal risk management frameworks covering strategic, operational, financial, technology, supply side, and compliance risks

• Designing and rolling out material controls across the business to mitigate identified principal risks

• Deliver forward-looking risk insight: Oversee principal risk identification, horizon scanning and emerging risk analysis (including geopolitical and macroeconomic factors), providing clear reporting and actionable recommendations to senior stakeholders.

• Embed a strong risk culture and shape strategic decisions: Work closely with the Board, Executive Committee, and senior leaders to integrate risk thinking into strategic planning, major programmes, and everyday business operations whilst building credibility for the risk function.

• Drive innovation and proactive risk management: Implement advanced analytics, dashboards and KRIs, leveraging technology and data to enable agile, forward-looking risk oversight.

• Lead and develop a high-performing team: Build capability and foster a collaborative, inclusive culture while partnering with Technology, Product, Finance, Internal Audit and Legal teams to deliver a holistic approach to assurance.

• Developing our approach to Provision 29 compliance and emerging risk assessment for Board and Annual Report and Accounts reporting

• Demonstrated experience building a risk management function from the ground up or leading significant transformation of risk capabilities

• Deep understanding of operational and technology risks in digital platforms, including cybersecurity, data protection, and system resilience

• Proven experience in enterprise risk management, including frameworks, risk appetite development, and embedding risk into strategy and operations

• Strong knowledge of risk governance, internal control frameworks, and regulatory expectations, with experience presenting high-quality risk reporting to Boards or Audit & Risk Committees

• Experience navigating regulatory requirements in travel sectors or payments

• Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to work autonomously, prioritise effectively, and influence without established authority

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills to build credibility and embed risk awareness across the organisation

• Experience in online travel, marketplace platforms, or high-transaction volume e-commerce

• Familiarity with travel industry regulations (ATOL, Package Travel Regulations, consumer protection frameworks, health & safety issues, climate related risks)

• Professional risk management and/or audit qualifications

• UK plc experience including preparing the risk section of the Annual Report and Accounts

1. Intro to loveholidays with a member of the Talent team - 30 mins

2. 1st stage interview with VP Finance, Director of Finance Transformation & General Counsel, including a task to present - 45 mins

3. Final stage with CFO - 60 mins