Perth-based graduate Lachlan Grant works as an operational risk consultant for a
major Australian bank. In this interview, he unpacks the rhythm of daily risk
monitoring, the unpredictable nature of crisis response, and the evolving skill set
required to thrive in the field. His experience highlights the humility and teamwork
at the heart of resilient organisations.
Describe your daily work as an operational risk consultant—what’s expected, and
what changes in a crisis?
My day starts with a review—overnight incident logs, regulatory bulletins, and
market headlines. Plans change quickly. A few weeks ago, a technology glitch at
a major vendor meant recalibrating our risk posture by mid-morning. Most of my
work involves mapping out possible operational disruptions, updating response
protocols, and running risk workshops for different teams. Every decision is
about weighing urgency against accuracy—sometimes the right move is to wait,
sometimes it’s to act. The only real routine is constant vigilance.
What are the highlights and main challenges in your role?
The most rewarding aspect is when a plan—tested through drills—holds up during
real events. The challenge? Rapid change. When a regulatory update lands or a
client faces a sudden loss, there’s little time to debate. Collaboration with
IT, compliance, and operations teams is essential. The pressure is real, but so
is the satisfaction when the pieces fit together during a tough moment.
How does teamwork influence operational risk management?
Crisis response is a team sport. During the 2025 financial sector outage, the
bank formed a cross-functional group that met every two hours. Early on,
information was patchy—rumours outpaced facts. Only through candid updates and
real-time feedback did we keep on course. The most effective responses come from
open communication and clear escalation paths. Silence is more dangerous than
making the wrong call.
What advice would you give to someone entering operational risk or crisis
management?
For newcomers: start by listening more than speaking. Read up on recent
disruptions, but also ask senior colleagues about their worst days. Building a
checklist is helpful, but understanding context is more important. Don’t expect
to know everything; be willing to ask for help. The field is always changing,
and flexibility is more valuable than rote knowledge.
What’s a common myth about operational risk consulting?
A major misconception is that risk consulting is just about ticking boxes. The
reality: it’s about interpreting grey areas, making calls with incomplete data,
and being ready to adapt as new risks surface. The best consultants aren’t
fortune tellers—they’re translators, turning chaos into clear options for
decision-makers.
Discover more about operational risk consulting and related career paths in
financial crisis preparedness.
See our
careers guide
to explore typical skills and roles across the key career paths.
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