Interim Risk & Controls Consultant

Cedar is currently partnered with a PE-backed fintech to secure an Interim Risk & Controls Consultant. The role is a 6-month contract, paying a day rate between £550-£750 per day, Outside IR35. An immediate start is preferred.

The CompanyThis City of London-based fintech is entering a critical phase of operational and controls enhancement, with a particular focus on strengthening its payments infrastructure and embedding sustainable risk frameworks. With significant private equity backing and rapid growth ambitions, the business is seeking to enhance its resilience and regulatory readiness across core functions.

The RoleThe Interim Risk & Controls Consultant will play a key role in diagnosing control gaps within the payments function, redesigning critical processes, and embedding new operational frameworks. This is a hands-on delivery role with end-to-end accountability for control assessment, redesign, and implementation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Conducting a comprehensive review of current payment processes, procedures, and risk controls
• Mapping end-to-end workflows and identifying key control and fraud risk points
• Redesigning control mechanisms to align with regulatory expectations and operational needs
• Delivering prioritised recommendations to strengthen controls and reduce manual effort
• Leading implementation of control changes, engaging stakeholders across Risk, Ops, Tech, and Compliance
• Building and executing control testing plans to validate effectiveness of new processes
• Producing high-quality documentation and reporting to support governance and assurance activity

Your ProfileThe ideal candidate will have:

• Deep understanding of Faster Payments or similar high-velocity payment services
• Proven experience in operational risk assessment, control design, and remediation delivery
• Strong background in process mapping and internal controls evaluation
• Familiarity with FCA and PSR regulatory requirements relating to payment risk and fraud
• Excellent cross-functional stakeholder engagement and governance reporting skills
• Prior experience in fintech, challenger banking, or digital payments environments is desirable
• Exposure to audit, 2nd line risk, or consultancy roles with controls remediation scope is advantageous

Compensation & BenefitsThis is an opportunity to lead a critical risk controls programme in a fast-paced, PE-backed fintech environment. The £550-£750 per day rate (Outside IR35) reflects the seniority of the role and the need for proven delivery capability in complex operational settings.

The business operates a hybrid model, with 2-3 days per week in their City of London office. This is a fast-moving, outcome-focused environment where practical experience and control rigour are highly valued.