23 June, 2025
Risks take many forms, and global connections in geopolitics, economics, ecology, and health mean that the consequences of a single event often reverberate on multiple continents. Each year, new political, economic, and environmental threats emerge with implications that can be felt around the world:
- Global Peace Index 2024: The latest report shows a widening gap between the most and least peaceful countries. Conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza drove a sharp decline in global peacefulness, with Ukraine accounting for over half of 2023’s 162,000 conflict-related deaths1.
- Cybersecurity Threats: A key software provider for auto dealerships, CDK Global, was hit by a BlackSuit ransomware attack in June 2024. The attack disrupted 15,000 dealerships and reportedly involved a $25 million ransom to restore operations2.
- Environmental Hazards: The January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires led to a significant increase in atmospheric lead levels3, with lead concentrations peaking at approximately 110 times higher than pre-fire levels, due to the combustion of older structures containing lead-based materials.
Professionals working in global risk management careers address the urgent problems that emerge from complicated relationships by applying a mix of analytical, strategic, and decision-making tools. Government agencies, corporations, and international and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are driving the growing demand for experts who understand how geopolitical, economic, and environmental risks are deeply intertwined. A Master of Arts in Global Risk prepares students for leadership roles in risk analysis, strategic planning, and global threat mitigation.
How Is the Global Risk Management Industry Outlook Changing?
The growth within the risk management sector can be seen in increases in individual roles as well as in the investments being made by businesses worldwide. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects much higher than average growth for many positions in which risk management is a core duty, including financial managers4 (17% growth through 2033), operations research analysts5 (23%), and management analysts6 (11%). Furthermore, the global risk management market is projected at $13.78 billion in 2025 and expected to reach $21.62 billion by 20297, growing at an 11.9% compound annual growth rate.
Increased globalization and the recognition of the impact of ‘creeping risks’ such as climate change is creating more awareness of the need for risk governance. However, many national and international institutions struggle to identify effective mechanisms and frameworks for this purpose. They are looking for examples to help them take an ‘all hazards’ view of potential sources of risk—including natural disasters, major accidents, terrorism, and events such as pandemics.
What Jobs Can You Get With a Master’s in Global Risk Management?
As global supply chains, digital infrastructure, and international relations become more deeply interwoven, professionals who are trained to assess and respond to risk are essential. A wide range of risk management careers bridge data analysis with public policy, so it can be crucial for professions to become experts in both technical and strategic domains.
| Risk Management Careers | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Risk Manager/Analyst | $129,891 |
| Director of Risk Management | $183,758 |
| Business Management Analyst | $86,358 |
| Global Risk Consultant | $110,156 |
| Financial Consultant | $172,126 |
| Financial Manager | $140,700 |
Note: Salary information has been gathered from job market analytics sites including Salary.com, ZipRecruiter, and GlassDoor.
Risk Manager/Analyst
Average Salary: $129,891
Risk analysts examine and assess threats in an effort to minimize the negative outcomes for an organization’s strategic planning or internal operations. The array of responsibilities involved can vary a great deal based on the organizations where these professionals work. While financial risk managers strive to prevent losses due to factors like credit risk or changing market conditions, professionals in other industries focus on making recommendations to eliminate hazards or waste in processes such as manufacturing and shipping.
Today’s global economy frequently requires risk managers to account for the ways that policy changes or upheaval can interfere with an organization’s objectives. In monitoring the Russian invasion of Ukraine, for example, professionals must grapple with the burden the conflict contributed to the already-hampered global supply chain and make recommendations for companies trying to move goods around the world. Analyzing relevant data, these specialists advise organizations on how to function relatively efficiently even under difficult circumstances.
Director of Risk Management
Average Salary: $183,758
A director of risk management develops and manages environmental remediation projects and programs to mitigate financial, operational, and compliance threats. In this role, professionals take the lead in standardizing emergency responses, coordinating the removal of hazardous materials and waste, and optimizing business strategies to protect the organization’s value.
These professionals must also create and modify company-wide policies and investigate any occurrences that may result in asset loss. An extensive understanding of liability and compliance law is vital to a successful career as a director of risk management.
Business Management Analyst
Average Salary: $86,358
Business management analysts help organizations streamline operations and adapt to evolving risks. By assessing data and business processes, they identify opportunities for cost savings or performance improvement. These professionals often work cross-functionally to support change management and business continuity, key areas in a global risk environment.
Global Risk Consultant
Average Salary: $110,156
Global risk consultants evaluate financial, regulatory, geopolitical, or environmental threats for firms who do business internationally. These consultants use their analytical skills and geopolitical expertise to identify high-impact risks, develop risk mitigation strategies, and ensure regulatory compliance across jurisdictions. In addition to supporting the traditional strategies of multinational organizations, global risk consultants also help their clients to stay agile in our volatile global economy.
Financial Consultant
Average Salary: $172,126
Every company wants to ensure that they are making the best investment decisions possible, and many turn to financial consultants to advise them. Financial consultants work with clients at investment firms or financial services organizations to monitor their financial health, provide forecasts on their fiscal year, and create and implement long-term financial strategies to boost profits.
A career in financial consulting allows professionals to work for themselves, set their own schedule, and take control of who they work with and what industry they work in. Because of the freelance nature of this career, strong marketing and interpersonal skills are a must to effectively attract and build relationships with clients that last. Using these particular skills to build trust is especially important now as the global markets respond to pandemic recovery, inflation and a contentious war in Europe.
Financial Manager
Average Salary: $140,700
Financial managers are in charge of preparing financial statements and forecasts, monitoring organizational budgets, and finding ways to reduce costs. These professionals also analyze market trends to advise senior managers on how to maximize profits. To become a successful financial manager, professionals must understand how to lead a team and make company-wide financial decisions.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for financial managers is expected to grow 9% from 2021 to 2031. Not surprisingly, over a third of these jobs are in the finance sector and include workplaces such as banks, investment firms, and insurance companies. With inflation on the rise, the forecasts these professionals create and their ability to reduce costs becomes paramount.
Top Global Risk Management Skills
Global risk jobs each have unique demands, but certain skills are needed across a wide swathe of roles and industries. These are some areas of professional development to focus on:
Quantitative Analysis
Risk management professionals need a firm grounding in statistical analysis and calculus principles. The ability to use math to examine large, complex data sets is key to understanding international relationships. Global risk professionals must also effectively use software tools to manage, interpret, and visualize their quantitative findings.
Modeling and Scenario Planning
Robust models enable risk professionals to project future events and guide strategy, even when political, technological, social, and environmental factors can complicate things. This quantitative approach involves determining probabilities of various outcomes using the most up-to-date data, estimating the relative costs and benefits, and determining values for a range of contingencies.
Problem Solving
Risk management is about proactive problem-solving. As such, global risk professionals need to apply the lessons from past successes as well as failures. By formulating creative solutions, they can make recommendations that help organizations move forward while minimizing losses.
Decision Making Under Uncertainty
Every choice made by an organization requires a cost-benefit analysis. Ideally, an organization’s analysis will be supported by extensive data, rigorous models, and a global perspective. Risk professionals help leaders calculate the best ways to succeed in a marketplace that relies on international financial systems and can be disrupted at any time by emerging crises.
Research and Intelligence Gathering
While quantitative research is the basis for populating databases and creating models, qualitative research can reveal the broader relevance of those findings. Methodical information-gathering allows professionals to deepen their understanding of the complex interactions involved in global risk and understand the limitations of their predictive models.
Communication and Influence
To turn statistical analysis into action, technical thinkers need to be able to convey what they have discovered to diverse stakeholders. Persuasive written and verbal communication is a major advantage for getting important ideas through to multiple audiences. Global risk managers can become vital to decision-making processes by presenting clear takeaways and compelling visual data.
Global risk management careers give skilled quantitative problem-solvers the chance to make invaluable contributions to organizations navigating the intricacies of geopolitics. Completing an MA in Global Risk equips professionals with the tools and techniques to perceive the massive consequences of political and economic events and lead informed decision-making. As more organizations see the necessity of planning for catastrophic dangers, from cyberattacks to pandemics, the role of global risk managers is becoming increasingly essential to set the strategies that make it possible to thrive on the world stage.
About the Master of Arts in Global Risk (online)
In the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) MA in Global Risk (online) program, students gain a thorough grounding in quantitative and qualitative risk management tools, modeling, and decision-making frameworks. Our cutting-edge curriculum focuses on the specialized knowledge and research skills to analyze complex situations, mitigate dangers, and take on leadership roles.
Featuring a faculty of groundbreaking researchers and experienced leaders, the Johns Hopkins SAIS offers a supportive environment that encourages collaboration and ongoing improvement. Our students participate in two in-person residencies and have opportunities to expand their professional networks. Johns Hopkins University is ranked #6 for best national university and #13 best global university, according to U.S. News & World Report and was named one of the best schools for international relations by Foreign Policy Magazine.
Disclaimer: This content has not been peer reviewed and is for informational purposes only.
Sources
All sources retrieved May 2025
1. Vision of Humanity – 2024 Global Peace Index
2. CyberScoop – Wallets tied to CDK ransom group received $25 million two days after attack
3. CDC MMWR – Elevated Atmospheric Lead Levels During the Los Angeles Urban Fires — California, January 2025
4. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Financial Managers
5. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Operations Research Analysts
6. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Management Analysts
7. Research and Markets – Risk Management Market Report 2025