December 2025
Risk Management: 2026 Talent Insights
The risk landscape has evolved rapidly, and 2025 was a defining year. With regulatory pressure intensifying and operational resilience rising on the agenda, firms are rethinking how they build and structure risk functions.
In this video, Dóri Marton, Principal Consultant at Selby Jennings, shares the latest insights on how hiring is changing, and what risk professionals and employers should prepare for in 2026.
What changed in risk management in 2025, and how did that impact hiring?
"Several regulatory developments shaped the risk market in 2025. The full implementation of DORA, tighter ESG reporting rules, and increased scrutiny from supervisory authorities led to more demand for professionals in operational resilience, cyber risk, and regulatory change.
"But budgets were tighter too. Rather than hiring large siloed teams, firms prioritized risk professionals who could work across functions, blending data, compliance, and risk into one profile. The need for versatility has grown significantly.
"Hybrid working preferences also played a role. While firms are asking for two to three office days a week, candidates are becoming more selective, which is leading to longer hiring cycles."
What should firms and professionals prioritize in 2026?
"Firms will need to shift from a title-led approach to a skills-led one. Risk hiring is becoming more competency-driven. That means developing clearer frameworks for what success looks like in a role, and moving quickly when you find the right candidate. Delays can cost top hires, especially in a competitive and candidate-led market.
"For professionals, upskilling will be essential. Firms are looking for risk managers who can bridge the gap between risk insight and business decision-making. Expertise in data literacy, model governance, cyber risk, and regulatory change management will be especially valuable.
"This is no longer a reporting function - it’s a strategic partner role."
How is AI changing the risk management sector?
"AI is already transforming the risk function, not by removing roles, but by automating routine tasks like monitoring, reporting, and anomaly detection. This is freeing teams to focus on judgement-based work that requires critical thinking and context.
"In 2026, demand will rise for professionals who can operate at the intersection of AI and risk. That includes validating model outputs, understanding AI governance, and challenging decisions made by automated systems. Firms will increasingly seek talent that can link traditional risk frameworks with emerging technologies."
To discuss your hiring plans for 2026 or explore current risk management opportunities, request a call back or browse open roles.
FAQ: Risk management hiring, careers & compensation in 2026
Risk management hiring priorities are becoming increasingly focused on roles at the intersection of regulation, data and technology. Functions such as stress testing, model validation, operational resilience and digital risk are expanding. AI governance, quant risk, and cyber/technology related risk roles are emerging as critical areas within risk functions across financial firms.
Hiring specialist risk management talent? Request a call back to discuss how Selby Jennings can help you attract experts with the skills you need, or download Inside Europe’s Risk Management Talent Market for more information on market developments and compensation benchmarks across key finance hubs.
Risk management roles in high demand include Credit Risk Analysts, Market Risk Managers, Model Risk Specialists, Operational Risk Leads, Regulatory/Compliance Risk experts, and Technology/Cyber Risk professionals. Firms are also seeking candidates with quantitative modeling, data analytics and AI risk knowledge to help navigate evolving regulatory and market landscapes.
Selby Jennings can help you define the right profiles and build targeted pipelines. Learn more about our risk management talent solutions.
Employers are prioritizing cross functional expertise for risk management roles, including quantitative modeling, data analytics (Python, R), stress testing, model governance, and regulatory interpretation. Cyber risk and technology risk skills, especially those aligned with EU frameworks like DORA, are also in high demand.
Clear role definitions, streamlined interview stages, and competitive compensation benchmarking are essential for effective risk management hiring. Many firms are also integrating technical assessments early on to evaluate candidate proficiency in data, modeling and regulatory tools – reducing time to hire while improving candidate experience.
Selby Jennings supports firms with salary benchmarking and candidate engagement strategies to secure top risk talent. Download Inside Europe’s Risk Management Talent Market for salary and bonus benchmarks across Europe’s key risk hubs, or request a call back for tailored support.
Risk management offers a broad range of career paths including Market Risk, Credit Risk, Model Risk, Operational Risk, Regulatory/Compliance Risk, Fraud & Financial Crime Risk, and emerging Technology/Cyber Risk. Senior professionals may progress into roles such as Head of Risk, Chief Risk Officer (CRO) or specialised risk advisory roles.
Create an account with Selby Jennings to access a wide range of exclusive risk management job opportunities and personalized career support.
Risk management compensation varies by role, location and specialism. In the UK, average base salaries for analyst-level risk professionals range around the £70,000 mark, rising to £100,000 - £275,000 for head of function roles based on experience and specialization. Bonus components and total compensation can be significantly higher for quantitative, regulatory or senior leadership roles.
Read Inside Europe’s Risk Management Talent Market for 2026 compensation benchmarks across the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, and The Netherlands, or browse risk management jobs across Europe.
Certifications such as FRM (Financial Risk Manager), PRM (Professional Risk Manager), or advanced degrees in finance, economics, mathematics or data science are highly regarded. Experience with regulatory frameworks, model validation, and advanced analytics can significantly enhance career prospects.
Submit your resume to highlight your credentials to top hiring managers.
Prepare to discuss your experience with risk frameworks (e.g. Basel, IFRS 9), scenario and stress testing, regulatory compliance, and real world examples of risk mitigation. Technical interviews may include case studies on credit, market, model or operational risk scenarios with an emphasis on data and tooling proficiency.
Yes. Risk professionals with experience in AI governance, model risk for machine learning systems, real time data analytics, and automation are increasingly sought after. Risk functions are evolving to incorporate AI and data science into assessments, reporting and scenario analysis.
Highlight your tech skills on your resume and register with Selby Jennings to be matched with relevant risk management roles.