About Us

Cois Sionna Desmond Credit Union is a not for profit, community-based credit union, proudly supporting its 37,000 members across its 11-branch network, located throughout the Limerick and North Kerry region.

The Role

We are delighted to invite applications for the full-time, permanent role of Risk Manager, located in our Askeaton office. The Risk Manager will be responsible for leading the credit union’s risk management function, ensuring the effective identification, assessment, monitoring, and mitigation of all key risks. The role will develop, implement, and continuously improve risk management frameworks, policies, and practices. The Risk Manager will foster a strong risk-aware culture across the credit union, ensuring that risk management is embedded at all levels of the credit union’s operations.

As a Central Bank of Ireland Pre-Approved Control Function (CU PCF-3), the role reports directly to the CEO with a dotted reporting line to the Board, playing a key role in supporting strategic decision-making and ensuring compliance with regulatory obligations.

What the Role will Involve

Risk Management

  • Manage, plan, design, and implement an overall risk management process for the credit union, including the development and implementation of a risk management policy setting out its approach to risk and its approach to risk management.
  • Assist the board of directors in the development and implementation of the credit union policy and strategy for risk management.
  • Conduct regular risk assessments across the credit union, which involves analyzing both internal and external risks as well as identifying, assessing, describing, reporting, and estimating the risks affecting the business.
  • Evaluate risks, which involves comparing estimated risks with criteria established by the credit union such as costs, legal requirements, and environmental factors, and to evaluate the credit union’s previous handling of risks.
  • Review and document any reported risk event within the credit union, including the action taken or recommended.
  • Maintain a risk register for the credit union. To update the risk response plan in light of a significant risk event (if required) and notify the manager and risk committee of this change.
  • Report risks in an appropriate way internally, (i) to the board of directors so they understand the most significant risks; (ii) to management, to ensure they are aware of risks relevant to their parts of the business; and (iii) to employees to ensure they understand their accountability for individual risks.
  • Be responsible for corporate governance involving appropriate external risk reporting to stakeholders (including the Central Bank and the Registrar of Credit Unions).
  • Manage the credit union’s risk management system.
  • Manage the credit union’s outsourcing activities incorporating risk due diligence.
  • Oversee the management of documentation of all relevant activities and findings on the credit union’s risk management system in a timely manner.
  • Maintain knowledge and skills in good practice in risk management.
  • Monitor continuously the external environment for any changes which may materially affect the risk appetite and/or risk tolerance of the credit union.
  • Provide a strategy as well as facilitation of solutions, support, education, and training to staff to build risk awareness within the credit union.
  • Take constant steps to analyze and fix any areas where the credit union is open to litigation, including liaison with legal counsel specific to risk.
  • Report to the CEO and Board regularly including an assessment of how well the risk function is progressing.
  • Proactively participate in continuous training and development in order to provide the highest levels of service in quality and focus to members at all times.

The above list is not exhaustive and may be subject to change in line with the needs of the credit union.

Role Requirements

  • Ideally a relevant professional qualification in areas such as Accountancy/Audit, Business, Legal or Risk Management.
  • Ideally 3 years’ experience in a risk and/or compliance role or financial services management role with an emphasis on risk, compliance, AML/CFT or data protection. Relevant experience in risk management from other fields will be considered from candidates who have a strong aptitude for risk management.
  • Prior people management and development experience an advantage.
  • Highly analytical and flexible, with the capacity to communicate a secure vision and take ownership of enterprise risk management initiatives.
  • Ability to research, report findings, identify solutions and implement resolutions, through interaction wit credit union-wide personnel.
  • Ability to interpret and disseminate the impact and requirements of new laws and regulations.
  • Capable of building effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders and interacting effectively with different audiences.
  • Ability to foster and ensure risk management is fully embedded in the credit union and facilitate risk training.
  • Strong business sense and understanding of the evolving credit union business model.
  • Organised, detailed, focused individual with good communication and presentation skills.
  • Strong project management skills, possess the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously, and work on own initiative to meet deadlines.
  • Ability to assure that the risk direction is aligned with business strategies.
  • Proficient in the Microsoft Office suite.

How to Apply

Applications including CV and cover letter via Risk Manager – Metamo. Closing Date for receipt of applications is 27th July 2025.

The role is a Central Bank Controlled Function and is subject to strict Fitness & Probity obligations.

Shortlisting may apply, and assessment will be done on the basis of the information provided in the application.

Cois Sionna Desmond Credit Union is proud to support a diverse and inclusive workplace.