Head of Operational

**About the Head of Operational & Enterprise Risk role**

Our client is a growing, innovative Challenger Bank with a strong appetite to lend supported by an existing geographic footprint, competitive product offering & growing lending book. As part of the next stage of their growth journey they are looking for a Head of Operational & Enterprise Risk

**Purpose of the Head of Operational & Enterprise Risk role**:
Accountable for all 2nd line enterprise-wide risk management activity, including ownership of Climate Risk and ESG. Business management for the second line risk function. Responsible for the design of Risk Frameworks for use across the Bank, coupled with training and education out across the Bank to ensure fully embedded. Support the assessment of Operational Risk Capital stress testing to ensure appropriate capital holding is maintained.

**Key accountabilities of the Head of Operational & Enterprise Risk role**:

- Accountable for all 2nd line enterprise-wide risk activity, designing and embedding effective enterprise-wide risk capabilities as the bank progresses including policy development / implementation / maintenance, issue management coordination and ongoing risk appetite performance monitoring
- Leading and managing people to ensure that all functions within the enterprise risk team are fully staffed, trained, compliant and effective. Leadership and management responsibility is likely to be in a matrix way through project groups and working groups in the initial stages of the Bank.
- Lead on key strategic projects with the support of the Chief Risk Officer
- Development of the Banks initial approach to Climate Risk, ensuring alignment with SS3/19 and effective discharge of CROs SMF14 & MRM, shaping the banks longer term ESG strategy and supporting disclosures required in the bank’s annual report
- Business management of second line risk function, delivering a supportive and enhanced risk culture across the bank, including development of the operating model, aligning business objectives, considering longer term strategic planning, recruitment, and budgeting
- Stand up of the Executive Risk Committee (ERC), maintaining ongoing management responsibilities including coordination of agenda and governance requirements, follow up on actions and ensuring terms of reference and other documents remain up to date
- Shaping and guiding the business of the Board Risk Committee (BRC), to drive its contribution to the business and the discharge of its oversight responsibilities
- 2LOD Lead on enterprise-wide reporting solution, ensuring a consistent reporting build, providing ExCo and the Board with an accurate and informative suite of MI.
- Work with the Executive to build, monitor, present and escalate the top strategic risks to the bank at both ERC & BRC, whilst supporting the CRO with delivery of their monthly CRO update and 2LOD Risk papers for Board level committees
- Supporting the mechanics of the enterprise, coordinating business wide SMCR requirements
- Risk lead on first line projects including reward, culture, stress testing, merger and acquisition.
- Reporting all issues of regulatory concern to the Chief Risk Officer (CRO), and/or the Chief Commercial Officer, or the Bank’s second Line Risk Team.
- Support and deliver strong and value adding relationships with the external stakeholders e.g., PRA/FCA
- Supporting the 1st line of defence with delivery of considered risk-based 2nd Line of Defence opinions where required
- Continually seek to improve and innovate our ways of working.
- Delivery of considered risk-based 2nhed Line of Defence opinions.
- Act as role model for the Banks values and behaviours
- Manage and invest in the team to bring out the best in them including support through internal and external education

**Required Experience, Knowledge, Skills & behaviours of the Head of Enterprise & Operational Risk role**
- Previous experience of working in Financial Services and a regulated environment
- Various Senior Manager Roles held across credit, enterprise and business management in 2LOD Risk
- Experience of leading portfolio acquisition and alignment of enterprise risk functions to required level for PRA firms
- Experienced risk-based decision maker delivering commercially sensitive & pragmatic risk[1]based solutions.
- Able to work under pressure in dynamic, changing environments and to negotiate and influence people at all levels.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal with an ethical and honest approach - Skilled in dealing with issues resourcefully, effectively, and constructively to achieve mutual agreement

**Qualifications required for the Head of Enterprise & Operational Risk Role**
- Strong experience in Financial Services (mandatory)
- Strong experience in enterprise risk / business management
- Banking / Financial Services qualification e.g., ACIB