Director of Risk, Financial Conduct Authority

• Extensive senior-level experience with a second line of defence function, operating at organisational or enterprise scale
• Significant experience within financial services and/or a regulatory environment, with accountability for material risk outcomes
• Proven experience of leading and developing senior professionals, including setting direction, managing complexity and building capability
• Experience exercising independent judgement and influence in high scrutiny environments, including challenge of senior stakeholders
• Demonstrable experience of operating within complex governance frameworks, with exposure to Board-level or equivalent decision-making forums
• Strong problem solving, communication and influencing capabilities
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, including demonstrable ability to influence senior leaders, both inside and outside the regulatory system
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to balance creative challenge and pragmatism
• Role model strong leadership behaviours in line with the FCA values and capabilities, and delivering cross-organisational priorities
• Strong subject matter expertise in risk management and compliance, and in developing and operating associated frameworks in different contexts, including how they can support the strategy of an organisation
• Experience in reporting to and working with Board and Board Risk Committees
• Deep expertise in the three lines of defence model, with the ability to adapt this experience to a regulator if gained in another context
• Strong experience of using insights from second line of defence functions to inform and shape continuous improvement in the first line

Desirable

• The Director of Risk will lead a Directorate within Risk and Compliance Oversight and report directly to the General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer
• Risk and Compliance Oversight (R&CO) is the second line of defence for the FCA, working with each of the FCA Divisions to ensure the management of Own Risks (operational, execution and public confidence risks) and Risks of Harm is effective to enable the FCA to successfully achieve its strategy and business plan and, hence, its statutory and operational objectives
• The Director will lead their Directorate to oversee the maintenance of the Risk Management Framework, provide ongoing guidance and oversight of risk management across the FCA and oversee the effective operation of the Assurance function
• The Division works in partnership with Senior Management, members of the Board and colleagues across the organisation to manage the internal and external risks to the FCA’s strategy and Annual Workplan and, hence, its statutory and operational objectives
• This is an important and exciting role, at a crucial time for the FCA
• It will be pivotal in enabling the organisation to rebalance risk and helping senior leadership understand and consciously act upon risk vs opportunity trade-offs
• The role holder will champion risk management at a senior level across the organisation, acting as a partner and critical friend in helping the organisation to continuously mature its approach to risk management
• The incumbent will also be responsible for monitoring and reporting on the organisation’s risk profile and recommending ways for key risks to be managed
• The role will require liaison with ExCo, the Board and its sub-committees, key regulatory partners and other relevant external stakeholders
• This is a visible, high-profile role with that will require great awareness and dexterity in liaising with stakeholders both internally and externally
• You will join the Senior Leadership Team at the FCA during an exciting and challenging time of great change in financial services and its regulation
• You will lead a critical function, holding a high-profile role and be at the centre of many significant issues currently facing the FCA and underpinning the transformation agenda
• You will gain exposure to not just senior stakeholders in the FCA, but in Government and fellow regulators
• Oversight of the organisation’s Risk Management Framework, including the operationalisation of its Risk Appetite Framework
• Lead reporting on the organisation’s risk profile to Executive and Board Committees, including maintenance and continuous improvement of the organisation’s strategic risk registers, recommending ways to manage key risks and identifying risk vs opportunity trade-offs
• Lead the provision of clear, accurate, holistic risk-based advice, guidance and oversight to the organisation, including membership of relevant committees and other forums
• Help the organisation to continuously enhance its risk management capabilities, including researching, developing and utilising innovative analytical techniques / artificial intelligence
• Oversight of the Risk Assurance team, delivering a risk-based assurance plan, providing clear oversight on the management of risks and effectiveness of key controls within the FCA
• The responsibilities of the role may include oversight of the Compliance function and the Data Protection Officer in due course and depending on the candidate’s skills and experience

• The closing date for this role is 23:55 on 24th May
• To apply please submit your CV and cover letter
• Selection will be via a two-stage interview and psychometric assessment