What Do Operational Risk Analysts Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for operational risk analysts?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what operational risk analysts do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Operational Risk Analysts Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about operational risk analysts by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Operational Risk Analysts analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.
Popular Job Titles For Operational Risk Analysts
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Risk Managers
- Risk Analysts
- Risk Management Managers
- Directors of Risk Management
- Enterprise Risk Managers
- Risk Adjustment Analysts
- Risk Management Analysts
- Compliance Risk Managers
- Credit Risk Analysts
- Third Party Risk Managers
- Risk Control Consultants
- Operational Risk Analysts
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for operational risk analysts can be found.
Best Industries for Operational Risk Analysts
Operational Risk Analysts Jobs By Industry
- Depository Credit Intermediation: 22.5%
- Management of Companies and Enterprises: 11.7%
- Other Financial Investment Activities: 9.3%
- Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities: 8.2%
- Nondepository Credit Intermediation: 7.6%
- Securities and Commodity Contracts Intermediation and Brokerage: 7.5%
- Other: 33.2%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of operational risk analysts can be found working in the Depository Credit Intermediation sector. In 2023, about 22.5% of all jobs for operational risk analysts were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Management of Companies and Enterprises (11.7%), Other Financial Investment Activities (9.3%), Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities (8.2%), Nondepository Credit Intermediation (7.6%) and Securities and Commodity Contracts Intermediation and Brokerage (7.5%).
What Do Operational Risk Analysts Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what operational risk analysts do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work operational risk analysts do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that operational risk analysts tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for operational risk analysts, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Operational Risk Analysts
Based on 63,835 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Operational Risk Analysts
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Management | 43,540 | 68% |
| Risk Analysis | 21,110 | 33% |
| Auditing | 18,454 | 29% |
| Finance | 16,063 | 25% |
| Project Management | 14,148 | 22% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Operational Risk Analysts
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Management | 38,481 | 60% |
| Communication | 32,259 | 51% |
| Leadership | 21,430 | 34% |
| Operations | 19,100 | 30% |
| Problem Solving | 15,270 | 24% |
Based on 63,835 job postings related to operational risk analysts, risk management was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 68% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for risk analysis, auditing, finance, project management and financial services were also highly sought.
As for common skills, management was the most desired skill found in job postings for operational risk analysts, followed by communication, leadership, operations, problem solving and microsoft excel.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Management | 43,540 | 68% |
| Risk Analysis | 21,110 | 33% |
| Auditing | 18,454 | 29% |
| Finance | 16,063 | 25% |
| Project Management | 14,148 | 22% |
| Financial Services | 10,866 | 17% |
| Accounting | 10,427 | 16% |
| Data Analysis | 10,063 | 16% |
| Operational Risk | 8,185 | 13% |
| Internal Auditing | 7,833 | 12% |
| Risk Mitigation | 7,783 | 12% |
| Underwriting | 7,460 | 12% |
| Economics | 7,048 | 11% |
| Mitigation | 6,986 | 11% |
| Internal Controls | 6,748 | 11% |
| Regulatory Compliance | 6,603 | 10% |
| SQL (Programming Language) | 6,119 | 10% |
| Credit Risk | 5,989 | 9% |
| Process Improvement | 5,985 | 9% |
| Business Process | 5,943 | 9% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Management | 38,481 | 60% |
| Communication | 32,259 | 51% |
| Leadership | 21,430 | 34% |
| Operations | 19,100 | 30% |
| Problem Solving | 15,270 | 24% |
| Microsoft Excel | 14,324 | 22% |
| Governance | 14,255 | 22% |
| Writing | 13,940 | 22% |
| Presentations | 13,072 | 20% |
| Detail Oriented | 12,857 | 20% |
| Microsoft Office | 12,003 | 19% |
| Influencing Skills | 10,937 | 17% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 10,866 | 17% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 9,860 | 15% |
| Coordinating | 9,667 | 15% |
| Planning | 9,456 | 15% |
| Research | 9,427 | 15% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 8,827 | 14% |
| Consulting | 8,206 | 13% |
| Analytical Skills | 8,102 | 13% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Operational Risk Analysts
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Managers | 3,263 | 8.6% |
| Risk Analysts | 2,781 | 7.3% |
| Risk Management Managers | 3,067 | 8.1% |
| Directors of Risk Management | 3,636 | 9.6% |
| Enterprise Risk Managers | 2,220 | 5.9% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was risk managers, with 1,459 unique job postings. Risk analysts were second, with 1,221 postings, followed by risk management managers, directors of risk management and enterprise risk managers.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to operational risk analysts.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Managers | 3,263 | 8.6% |
| Risk Analysts | 2,781 | 7.3% |
| Risk Management Managers | 3,067 | 8.1% |
| Directors of Risk Management | 3,636 | 9.6% |
| Enterprise Risk Managers | 2,220 | 5.9% |
| Risk Adjustment Analysts | 2,048 | 5.4% |
| Risk Management Analysts | 1,998 | 5.3% |
| Compliance Risk Managers | 1,895 | 5% |
| Credit Risk Analysts | 1,655 | 4.4% |
| Third Party Risk Managers | 1,414 | 3.7% |
| Risk Control Consultants | 1,540 | 4.1% |
| Operational Risk Analysts | 1,577 | 4.2% |
| Operational Risk Managers | 1,693 | 4.5% |
| Loss Control Consultants | 1,265 | 3.3% |
| Credit Risk Managers | 1,426 | 3.8% |
| Operational Risk Officers | 1,880 | 5% |
| Risk Management Specialists | 1,404 | 3.7% |
| Model Risk Managers | 1,275 | 3.4% |
| Quantitative Risk Analysts | 1,012 | 2.7% |
| Technology Risk Managers | 855 | 2.3% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for operational risk analysts? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for operational risk analysts.
How much do operational risk analysts make?
Operational Risk Analysts: How do you become one?
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