This research sheds light on the nature of the role of the operational risk controller in the financial services industry. The focus is on understanding how operational risk controllers interact with different layers of the organisation and become influential with the business lines and senior management. Nine semi-structured interviews were conducted with operational risk controllers, and it was found that their work is becoming increasingly focused on managing people with a view to creating mutual understanding. To achieve this, operational risk controllers should work more as independent facilitators in their interactions with the first line and senior management, as engaged toolmakers when adapting and reconfiguring tools, and as non-financial risk controllers when attempting to enable business leaders to understand the magnitude of operational risks.