Business Risk & Compliance Head

A unique opportunity for a seasoned Risk professional with Compliance understanding to report directly to CEO of a large international bank. Ideal candidate should have at least 10 years of Business Compliance, Operational Risk and Fraud in Banking, FinTech or other related industries.

Business Risk and Compliance Head

Salary: Competitive and based on experience

Location: BGC

Keywords: risk management, compliance oversight, regulatory adherence, banking operations, control frameworks, stakeholder engagement, process improvement, leadership role, first line of defence, governance

A leading financial institution is seeking a Business Risk and Compliance Head to champion the culture of risk awareness and regulatory compliance across all business functions. This pivotal leadership position offers you the opportunity to shape and strengthen the organisation’s first line of defence, ensuring robust control measures are implemented and maintained in alignment with both internal policies and external regulations. You will be at the forefront of driving continuous improvement, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, and serving as the primary liaison between operational units and control stakeholders. The role provides an exceptional platform for you to make a significant impact on organisational resilience, while benefiting from a supportive environment that values professional growth, flexibility, and knowledge sharing.

• Play a key role in shaping risk and compliance culture across all business lines by leading end-to-end implementation of control frameworks and regulatory initiatives.
• Collaborate with senior leaders, audit, risk, and compliance teams locally and regionally to ensure seamless communication, effective issue resolution, and ongoing process enhancement.
• Enjoy flexible working opportunities, access to training programmes, and a workplace that prioritises your professional development and well-being.

What you'll do:

As Business Risk and Compliance Head, you will play an instrumental role in embedding a culture of vigilance and accountability throughout the organisation’s operations. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve orchestrating comprehensive risk assessments across multiple business lines, ensuring that every function operates within a robust framework of controls tailored to meet both regulatory standards and internal expectations. You will collaborate extensively with audit teams, risk managers, compliance officers, and other stakeholders to facilitate open communication channels that support swift identification and resolution of issues. By managing critical data points such as KRIs and incident reports, you will enable proactive decision-making that safeguards organisational interests. Your expertise will also be called upon to deliver targeted training sessions that elevate compliance awareness among staff members. Success in this role hinges on your ability to foster trust-based relationships across departments while maintaining meticulous attention to detail in every aspect of risk management.

• Lead the comprehensive implementation of first line of defence risk and compliance activities, ensuring all controls are robustly designed, executed, and monitored across business units.
• Oversee regular reviews and assessments of key risk areas—including inherent risks, residual risks, and control measures—while ensuring effective application of the Risk Control Self-Assessment (RCSA) framework.
• Drive the development, execution, and monitoring of corrective action plans to address identified gaps or deficiencies within operational processes.
• Act as the principal point of contact for first line teams when engaging with audit, risk, compliance groups both locally and at group level, fostering collaborative relationships for effective governance.
• Manage Critical Incident Management (CIM), Loss Event Data (LED), and Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) for all first line operations to proactively identify emerging risks.
• Establish a rigorous schedule for monthly, quarterly, and annual reviews of business processes while maintaining a dynamic KRI framework that adapts to evolving risks.
• Proactively identify control issues within business processes; work closely with relevant teams to enhance procedures and address any gaps highlighted by audits or internal reviews.
• Support adherence to all applicable banking laws, rules, regulations, as well as internal policies by providing guidance on regulatory requirements to operational staff.
• Ensure timely completion of regulatory gap analyses for new or updated legal requirements; implement adequate controls to minimise exposure to potential risks.
• Monitor non-compliance incidents thoroughly—assessing impacts, recommending preventive measures, reporting outcomes—and provide ongoing compliance awareness training to staff.

What you bring:

To excel as Business Risk and Compliance Head, you will bring a wealth of experience from roles focused on business compliance or operational risk within banking or related sectors. Your background should reflect deep familiarity with industry regulations as well as hands-on involvement in developing or refining control frameworks. A proven track record in leading teams through periods of change—while upholding high standards for accuracy—is essential. Your interpersonal strengths will allow you to build rapport quickly with colleagues at all levels; your communication style should be both clear and persuasive. In addition to technical proficiency in data analysis tools or methodologies relevant to risk management functions, your approach should demonstrate empathy towards team members’ needs during training or process transitions. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated integrity throughout their career journey—earning respect from peers through diligence, reliability, ethical conduct—and will be recognised as someone who nurtures positive working relationships both internally and externally.

• Bachelor’s degree or professional qualification in a relevant discipline is required; an MBA is considered advantageous for this leadership position.
• At least ten years’ experience in business compliance, operational risk management or fraud prevention within banking or fintech environments is essential.
• A minimum of five years’ prior experience in a leadership capacity within an established financial institution is highly desirable.
• Comprehensive understanding of banking products and services—including their associated risks—is necessary for effective oversight.
• Exceptional data management abilities coupled with strong analytical skills are vital for interpreting complex information accurately.
• Outstanding presentation skills combined with the ability to influence diverse audiences at all levels within the organisation are crucial.
• Meticulous attention to detail alongside high adaptability ensures successful navigation through changing operational landscapes.
• Demonstrated capability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously while delivering quality outputs under tight deadlines is important.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required for clear articulation of complex concepts across various stakeholder groups.
• Strong critical thinking abilities paired with sound problem-solving skills support effective decision-making in challenging situations.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out as one of the most respected names in financial services within the region—renowned for its commitment to responsible banking practices and unwavering dedication to customer trust. Employees benefit from an inclusive environment where collaboration is encouraged at every level; knowledge sharing is not just valued but actively promoted through structured training programmes. Flexible working arrangements empower you to balance professional ambitions with personal commitments while generous investment in learning ensures your continued growth. The company’s leadership fosters a supportive atmosphere where your contributions are recognised—and where you can take pride in being part of a team that shapes industry best practices. With access to cutting-edge resources and opportunities for cross-functional engagement on regional projects, you’ll find ample scope for career advancement alongside like-minded professionals who share your passion for excellence.

What's next:

If you are ready to make a meaningful impact by guiding risk management strategies at the highest level—this is your moment!

Apply today by clicking on the link provided—take the next step towards advancing your career in business risk and compliance.

Due to the high volume of applications we are experiencing, our team will only be in touch with you if your application is shortlisted.