Head of Bookmaking Risk

ABOUT THE ROLE

As the Head of Bookmaking Risk, you are the strategic guardian responsible for safeguarding the profitability and risk management of our sportsbook. Leading the comprehensive oversight of our bookmaking risk portfolio, your purview will encompass everything from liability management to customer profiling. You will ensure that every strategic decision and operational adjustment is grounded in robust quantitative analysis and meticulously aligned with the company's objectives for sustainable growth and market leadership. By leading and mentoring a high performing team of risk analysts, you will champion a culture of rigorous analytical excellence and proactive risk management. Ultimately, you will transform complex risk data into actionable insights and robust strategies that protect our margins, enhance operational efficiency, and secure the long term resilience and profitability of our sportsbook.

YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR:

• Risk Strategy & Roadmap Development: Develop and champion a comprehensive, forward looking risk strategy and roadmap that aligns with overarching business goals, anticipates market dynamics, and addresses emerging regulatory landscapes.
• Operational Risk Management: Oversee the end to end management of critical risk functions, including:

• Player & Event Limit Management: Strategically define and adjust player and event level betting limits to optimize profitability, manage exposure, and enhance customer experience.
• Fraud & Integrity Protection: Design, implement, and continuously refine advanced systems and methodologies for detecting and preventing suspicious betting patterns, collusion, and account misuse to safeguard integrity.
• Liability & Exposure Control: Proactively monitor global sportsbook exposure, executing sophisticated hedging strategies and implementing robust controls to protect financial performance and manage liability.

• Analytics & Reporting: Define, track, and report on key risk performance indicators (KPIs), providing actionable insights and data driven performance updates to senior leadership and relevant stakeholders.
• Project Leadership & Execution: Lead the successful delivery of high impact, cross functional projects aimed at enhancing risk management capabilities, tools, and infrastructure across the sportsbook.
• Team Leadership & Development: Recruit, lead, develop, and mentor a high performing team of risk professionals, fostering a culture of analytical excellence, ethical practice, and continuous improvement.
• Process & System Optimization: Drive continuous optimization of risk management procedures, tools, and workflows, acting as a key stakeholder in the strategic evolution of our in house customer rating model and other core risk systems.
• Global Collaboration & Best Practices: Foster strong global collaboration with sportsbook teams across various locations (e.g., Colombia, Málaga) to ensure alignment on risk strategy, processes, and the adoption of best practices.

OUR SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE THE FOLLOWING: Essential Skills (Must Have)

• Experience: Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in sports betting risk management or trading, with at least 3 years in a leadership or senior management role.
• Domain Expertise: Profound understanding of sports betting markets, trading operations, pricing strategies, and operational dynamics across various sports.
• Analytical Acumen: Expert level proficiency in data analysis, statistical modelling, and quantitative risk assessment. Demonstrable experience with SQL, Python/R, or similar data manipulation and analytical tools.
• Risk Management Frameworks: Deep expertise in developing and implementing comprehensive risk management frameworks, including liability management, limit setting methodologies, and fraud detection strategies.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop high performing analytical and risk teams, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
• Strategic & Critical Thinking: Exceptional strategic thinking and problem solving skills, with the ability to translate complex data and market trends into actionable business strategies and risk mitigation plans.

Nice to Have Skills

• Advanced Education: Master's degree or PhD in a quantitative discipline.
• Advanced Analytics: Experience with machine learning techniques and AI applications for risk prediction, fraud detection, and customer segmentation.
• Project Management: Certifications in project management (e.g., PMP) or risk management.

BENEFITS

• Hybrid working - 3 days per week at the office, with flexibility for 2 days at home.
• Workation - Take your job on an adventure with our Workation benefit for up to 4 weeks per year (T&Cs apply).
• Plenty of time to recharge - 28 days of paid leave, plus all public and bank holidays in England.
• Invest in your future - We match pension contributions up to 6%.
• Comprehensive healthcare - BUPA coverage, including pre existing conditions, plus a cashback plan for dental, optical, and other treatments.
• Wellbeing allowance - £250 annual allowance for you to invest in your health and wellbeing (T&Cs apply).
• A great workplace experience - Talented colleagues, complimentary snacks and drinks, as well as breakfasts and lunches on a weekly basis.
• A social culture you'll love - Regular opportunities to attend sporting events throughout the year, plus a quarterly team budget for even more fun.
• Support for growing families - Up to 6 months of full pay for maternity leave.
• Stay active & save money - Cycle to work scheme and gym discounts to keep you moving.
• Work in style - at our newly renovated offices at Tailors Corner are just a 2 minute walk from Leeds Train Station.
• And there's more - We'll share even more perks related to your role when you chat with our Talent Acquisition team!