Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) has evolved rapidly over the last decade, from a siloed compliance function to a strategic partner shaping how organisations navigate uncertainty. As a recruitment agency specialising in risk talent, we’re increasingly asked by both clients and candidates about how ERM hiring works, what employers are looking for, and how professionals can best position themselves for a successful career in this field.
Whether you're building out your ERM function or exploring your next career move, this article will address the most frequently asked questions we hear in the Risk and ERM recruitment space.
📌 For Employers: ERM Hiring FAQs
1. What type of background should we look for in an ERM hire?
It depends on your business model and risk maturity. Some firms look for candidates with a traditional risk or audit background (e.g., Big Four, banking), while others prefer individuals with operational or strategic experience who can embed risk into decision-making.
Key areas of expertise include:
- Risk frameworks (COSO, ISO 31000)
- Stakeholder management
- Risk appetite definition
- Scenario planning & stress testing
- Data analysis & reporting
2. Do we need someone with a technical certification?
Not always. However, certifications such as IRM, CERA, or FRM can signal commitment and foundational knowledge. More importantly, you should assess their ability to understand your business model, communicate effectively with senior leadership and translate risks into actionable insights.
3. How long does it take to hire for an ERM role?
At Leonid, we use our ‘Magic Month’ methodology to deliver a new hire within 4 weeks from receiving the brief, even up to Chief Risk Officer level. However, on average, for executive search firms or internal talent acquisition teams, it may take up to three months to hire someone in a more senior or niche role (e.g. ESG-integrated ERM, risk transformation leaders). Interim hiring can happen much faster, and often within a week.
4. Should we consider interim or fractional ERM support?
There are certain scenarios where hiring an interim risk professional makes sense, for example:
- Leading through a period of change (e.g. post-M&A)
- When there isn’t sufficient in-house expertise for a specific project
- Bridging a leadership gap before a permanent hire
At Leonid, we are able to place interim CROs and ERM consultants to provide immediate strategic input. These hires can be in place within one week.
🎯 For Candidates: ERM Career FAQs
5. What are employers looking for in ERM professionals right now?
Beyond technical knowledge, employers are increasingly seeking out specific ‘softer’ skills, such as strong business acumen, the ability to challenge and influence senior stakeholders and the ability to navigate ambiguity and complex, cross-functional risk environments.
Increasingly, data literacy and an understanding of non-financial risks (like cyber, ESG, and reputational risk) are also highly valued.
6. Do I need experience in a regulated sector to break into ERM?
No, but it helps. Sectors like financial services, insurance, and energy often have mature ERM frameworks, so experience in these areas is in high demand. That said, transferable skills from project risk, audit, or ops roles can help you pivot.
We also see ERM job opportunities growing in the following areas:
- Technology
- Healthcare
- Professional services
- Public sector
7. How do I move from operational risk to enterprise risk?
Start by expanding your understanding of strategic risk and its connection to business planning. Try to gain exposure to board reporting, ERM frameworks and enterprise-level initiatives. Employers love to see candidates who can “connect the dots” across departments and risk types.
8. What kind of salary can I expect in ERM?
For a full breakdown of Risk salaries, please refer to our Risk Global Hiring Guide, which provides salary tables for a number of different countries.
At Leonid, we specialise in connecting skilled ERM professionals with organisations that understand their strategic value. If you still have questions - or you're ready to start hiring or job hunting - we’d love to talk.
📩 Ready to build or join a forward-thinking ERM function?
Get in touch with our Risk specialist, Adam Bond, for an informal discussion.
