Our client is seeking a Chief Risk Officer (CRO) to be accountable to the Board for the integrity and effectiveness of the organisation's enterprise-wide risk management, compliance, and financial crime frameworks. This full-time position is based in Guernsey and entails significant leadership responsibilities, as the CRO leads the Bank's independent second line of defence and provides vital oversight to the Chief Executive Officer and senior management. You will collaborate closely with stakeholders to maintain strong governance while ensuring that the Bank operates within its defined risk appetite and supports its strategic goals. The role requires building effective partnerships throughout the business to facilitate informed decision-making while upholding the integrity of the control environment. You will be responsible for fostering a strong risk and governance culture that promotes safe, sustainable, and commercially sound decision-making.
JOB DUTIES:
- Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing enhancement of the enterprise risk management framework.
- Develop, quantify, and maintain the Bank's Risk Appetite Framework, recommending risk appetite and tolerances to the Board for approval.
- Monitor and report adherence to the Board-approved Risk Appetite Framework, escalating material issues as appropriate.
- Identify, assess, monitor, and report existing and emerging risks across the Bank.
- Ensure appropriate governance frameworks, policies, and controls are maintained within the organisation.
- Maintain oversight of the Bank's principal risk categories, including operational, conduct, financial crime, regulatory, strategic, reputational, and technology risks.
- Support the continued development of an effective Three Lines of Defence model.
- Act as custodian of the governance framework, ensuring governance arrangements remain effective and aligned with the strategy and regulatory expectations.
- Provide independent advice and constructive challenge to the CEO and senior management regarding risk, compliance, and financial crime.
- Chair the Executive Risk Committee and ensure timely, balanced, and forward-looking information is provided to the Board and senior management.
- Support the Board in understanding their risk management and regulatory responsibilities.
- Act as one of the Bank’s principal contacts with regulators on matters relating to risk and the control environment.
- Oversee the identification, assessment, and management of risks impacting the Bank's objectives.
- Ensure risk management frameworks and policies remain effective and aligned with regulatory expectations.
- Lead the independent risk contribution to ICAAP, stress testing, and capital planning processes.
- Support the ongoing development of the Bank's operational resilience and business continuity arrangements.
- Maintain oversight of compliance and financial crime frameworks, ensuring material risks and control issues are appropriately escalated.
- Partner with business leaders to provide balanced risk advice that supports sustainable growth.
- Provide independent challenge and guidance on strategic initiatives, new products, and significant change programmes.
- Promote a culture where effective risk management enables informed decision-making.
- Lead and develop a high-performing Risk, Compliance, and Financial Crime team, supporting the development of team members and succession planning.
JOB REQUIREMENTS:
- Strong banking risk experience, with proven leadership capability, judgement, and credibility to lead the independent Risk function.
- Senior leadership experience in a banking risk function.
- Strong understanding of enterprise risk management across various risk types, including credit and operational risk.
- Solid knowledge of regulatory frameworks, including risk appetite frameworks and ICAAP.
- Experience engaging with Boards and Executive Committees, providing high-quality risk reporting and independent challenge.
- Demonstrable experience in developing and assuring compliance with Board-approved Risk Appetite Frameworks.
- Ability to build constructive relationships with financial regulators and oversee regulatory engagement.
- Support for significant organisational change and transformation programmes.
- Proven ability to influence and provide advice to Executive Teams and Boards.
- Strong commercial judgement, able to balance growth ambitions with prudent risk management.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex risks clearly.
- Strategic thinking, with the capability to translate complex risks into practical business decisions.
- Professional qualifications in risk, banking, finance, audit, or compliance are preferred.
WHAT YOU’LL LOVE:
This role offers a unique opportunity to influence the risk culture of the Bank while collaborating across various teams. You will lead a team of professionals dedicated to risk management, enjoy the flexibility of a hybrid working environment, and engage in significant decision-making processes that impact the direction of the Bank. The role encourages continuous learning and professional development, positioning you well for a fulfilling career path.
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