Risk manager

How to become a risk manager

You can gain the qualifications you need by doing a university course.

You may need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card to work on a construction site.

University

You could do an undergraduate degree.

Afterwards, you may be able to join a company’s graduate trainee scheme.

If you have a first degree that is unrelated to risk management, you could do a distance learning qualification to help you move into this field. The Institute of Risk Management (IRM) offers two courses:

• The International Certificate in Risk Management (undergraduate level)
• The International Diploma in Risk Management (postgraduate level).

You'll need 2 - 3 A Levels (or equivalent) for an undergraduate degree.

Find out what the entry requirements are where you live.

• Find a university course
• Funding advice
• Find an apprenticeship near you

Skills

Additional skills which may benefit anyone looking to become a risk manager include:

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Knowledge of the English language
• Leadership skills
• Able to use the main computer softwares efficiently
• Be thorough and pay attention to detail

Qualifications

What does a risk manager do?

As a risk manager you will be responsible for the design and deployment of corporate risk management processes. This can involve reporting on problems and providing support to staff and colleagues.

The job role of a risk manager involves the following duties:

• Designing and carrying out corporate risk management processes
• Completing operational risk assessments
• Reporting problems or concerns to colleagues and stakeholders
• Monitoring insurance purchases and health and safety measures
• Making business continuity plans to follow in the event of an incident
• Training staff to increase risk awareness and communicate policies
• Providing support to limit risks and reduce incidents
• Visiting sites to monitor and suggest changes to processes
• Liaising with senior colleagues to implement change
• Working in an office and on construction sites.

How much could you earn as a risk manager?

The expected salary for a risk manager varies as you become more experienced.

• Newly trained risk managers can earn in the region of £25,000 – £30,000
• Trained with experience risk managers can earn in the region of £30,000 – £45,000
• Senior risk managers can earn in the region of £45,000 – £75,000.*

Hours and salary depend on location, employer and any overtime you may do.

* Salaries have been collected from multiple industry sources

Check out the latest Risk Manager vacancies: 

•  Indeed

As these are external websites, the number of job vacancies related to your preferred job role may vary. New opportunities will be posted as they come up.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could progress to become a senior or chief risk officer and earn a higher salary.

You could specialise in certain types of risk, such as financial, operational or environmental risk.

You could work as a self-employed risk consultant.