Polar Capital is a specialist fund management company dedicated to serving a diverse client base. Since our founding in 2001, we have grown steadily and now comprise fourteen autonomous investment teams, each managing active, specialist portfolios that are distinct from market indices. Together, these teams manage approximately £22 billion in assets, primarily invested in listed equities.

Our investment teams are supported by a strong infrastructure of marketing, administrative, and operational professionals. The firm is headquartered in Victoria, London, where nearly 170 staff are based, with an additional 26 colleagues working across nine satellite offices worldwide, including in France, Switzerland, China, and the United States.

Programme information

You will join us as an Operational Risk Trainee, reporting to the Senior Operational Risk Manager, as part of the Investment20/20 Trainee Programme where you will develop the key skills and knowledge required for your role. Operational risk is the potential for loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people, and systems, as well as external events. The primary role of the Operational Risk team is to set a framework from which the business can identify and manage its operational risks, as well as monitor and report on the current risk environment.  

As part of the Investment20/20 Programme, you will have opportunities to meet and network with over 250 trainees across the industry and participate in socials and insight events. 

The traineeship is a fixed-term one-year contract paying £30,000 per annum. You will receive 27 days annual leave. The role is based in London. The company has a hybrid working environment and the successful candidate would be expected to be in the office a minimum of four days per week. 

Responsibilities include: 

• Produce periodic reporting for review by the Senior Operational Risk Manager.
• Assist in the production of the risk committee agenda and materials.
• Risk action and assessment tracking and resolution.
• Support the Senior Operational Risk Manager with the operational error write-up process.
• Risk system administration and maintenance.
• Act as a key contact for operational risk queries from the First Line of Defence.
• Carry out other duties as assigned.

Requirements

If you are a graduate who has an interest in working within financial services and have the following attributes, we are interested in hearing from you: 

• Strong desire to gain experience within the investment management industry in a second line operational risk role or similar.
• High level of attention to detail
• Excellent organisational and communication skills (both written and verbal) and an ability to meet deadlines.
• Initiative-taker with a ‘can do’ attitude.
• A strong desire to learn.
• A collaborator who can build relationships across the business

Must have skills 

• A minimum of degree level qualification or equivalent experience
• Excellent written skills 
• Strong analytical skills
• Proficient in MS Office programs (Outlook, PowerPoint, Word)
• Organized and efficient, with strong attention to detail
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Confident and proactive approach

How to apply

Applications to be sent to: [email protected] 

Subject the email: Investment 20/20 – Operational Risk Trainee

Your application should include: 

• CV
• Covering letter
• Answer the 3 questions below with c.150-200 words per answer:

1. What appeals to you about working for Polar Capital?
2. What appeals to you about working in Operational Risk?
3. Tell us a project or piece of work that you have completed as part of your studies at either school/college or university that you are most proud of. What did you have to do and why are you proud of it?

Successful candidates will have to undergo two to three interviews (at least one in person)

Key dates

Online applications close: 30 November (Please note, we may take down the advertisement earlier if enough applications have been received). Start date January 2026

Unfortunately, we are unable to respond to all applications. Should you not hear back from us within one month of the closing date, please presume that the application was unsuccessful.