Head of Operational Risk

Seeking strong Operational Risk candidates in either Banking or Insurance industry to work for a leading financial institution.

Head of Operational Risk

Salary: Competitive and based on experience

Location: Manila

Keywords: operational risk management, non-financial risk, risk assessment, vendor evaluation, regulatory compliance, team mentorship, information security, business continuity, fraud control, stakeholder collaboration

A leading digital-only commercial bank in Manila is seeking a Head of Operational Risk to play a pivotal role in shaping and safeguarding the organisation’s operational resilience. This is an exceptional opportunity for you to join a forward-thinking financial institution that has earned international recognition for its mobile-first banking solutions. As the Head of Operational Risk, you will be at the heart of strategic decision-making, providing expert guidance on non-financial risks and ensuring robust controls are embedded across all business activities. You will have the chance to influence policy, mentor a high-performing team, and collaborate with senior leaders to drive best-in-class risk management practices. The organisation offers a supportive environment where your expertise will be valued, and your professional growth encouraged through ongoing training opportunities and exposure to regional best practices.

• Join a highly respected digital bank recognised for its innovative approach and commitment to customer-centric solutions, offering you the platform to make a significant impact on operational risk strategy.
• Benefit from flexible working opportunities and a collaborative culture that values knowledge sharing, teamwork, and continuous learning, ensuring you are supported in your career development.
• Work closely with executive leadership and cross-functional teams, giving you visibility across the organisation while contributing directly to the bank’s success and regulatory excellence.

What you'll do:

As Head of Operational Risk, you will take ownership of developing and implementing comprehensive strategies that protect the organisation from non-financial threats while supporting its ambitious growth objectives. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve close collaboration with senior executives to ensure that all aspects of operational risk are identified, assessed, monitored, and reported in accordance with both internal standards and regulatory requirements. You will play a key role in reviewing new business initiatives—such as vendor onboarding or product launches—by providing insightful risk assessments that inform critical decisions. In addition to managing complex reporting obligations and maintaining up-to-date policies on vendor management and outsourcing, you will inspire your team through mentorship and training. Your ability to foster strong relationships with stakeholders across departments will be essential as you work together to embed robust controls into every facet of operations. By championing best practices in fraud prevention, information security, data privacy, and business continuity planning, you will help ensure the long-term stability of the bank’s operations.

• Provide timely advice and recommendations to the Chief Risk Officer on all matters related to operational risk, ensuring informed decision-making at the highest level.
• Review and sign off on all non-financial risk agendas submitted for approval, maintaining rigorous oversight of risk-related initiatives.
• Prepare comprehensive risk memoranda for submission to executive management committees, including the CEO and Group Risk, ensuring clarity and accuracy in all communications.
• Oversee the delivery of reporting requirements in line with both internal policies and external regulatory standards, particularly those set by BSP MORB.
• Conduct thorough reviews of contracts, new vendors, outsourced service providers (OSPs), products, and projects, delivering detailed risk assessments and actionable advice to stakeholders.
• Evaluate partners, vendors, and OSPs for accreditation and recommend approvals to relevant committees, upholding transparency and integrity throughout procurement processes.
• Mentor, train, and provide proactive leadership to IT Risk Security Officers and Operational Risk Control Officers, fostering a high-performing team environment.
• Promote strong stakeholder engagement by embedding non-financial risk management controls into policies, processes, products, contracts, and other operational areas.
• Update and calibrate the bank’s operational risk appetite framework in coordination with Group Risk, ensuring limits and tolerances remain relevant and effective.
• Manage fraud control activities as well as information technology risk, information security, data privacy, and business continuity risks through proactive implementation of control measures.

What you bring:

To excel as Head of Operational Risk in this digital banking environment, you will bring substantial hands-on experience managing complex operational risks within regulated financial institutions. Your deep familiarity with industry-standard tools—such as RCSA frameworks or KRI monitoring—will enable you to design effective controls tailored to emerging threats. You should possess advanced analytical abilities complemented by outstanding written communication skills that allow you to distil complex issues into actionable insights for senior stakeholders. Your collaborative approach will help foster interdepartmental cooperation while your empathetic leadership style ensures team members feel supported in their professional growth. A keen awareness of regulatory developments combined with practical experience overseeing vendor evaluations or contract negotiations will further distinguish your candidacy. Above all else, your passion for building resilient systems—rooted in ethical conduct—will contribute meaningfully toward sustaining organisational trust.

• Extensive experience in operational risk management within banking or financial services environments is essential for this position.
• Demonstrated expertise in non-financial risk assessment methodologies—including RCSA (Risk Control Self-Assessment), LED (Loss Event Data), Risk Register maintenance, BIA (Business Impact Analysis), and KRI (Key Risk Indicators) calibration—is required.
• Proven track record in preparing detailed reports for executive-level audiences such as CROs or CEOs as well as regulatory bodies is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of local regulatory frameworks (e.g., BSP MORB) alongside global best practices in operational risk is necessary for success.
• Experience conducting contract reviews and evaluating third-party vendors or outsourced service providers (OSPs) from a risk perspective is important.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with an ability to build trust-based relationships across multiple teams—including procurement, compliance, IT security—and external partners are vital.
• Previous experience mentoring or leading teams within a risk function demonstrates your capacity for nurturing talent within a collaborative environment.
• Solid background in managing fraud control activities along with information technology risks—including cybersecurity measures—and data privacy protocols is advantageous.
• Excellent written communication skills are needed for drafting clear memoranda and policy documents intended for diverse audiences.
• A commitment to continuous professional development through training opportunities or industry certifications reflects your dedication to staying current with evolving risks.

What sets this company apart:

This digital-only commercial bank stands out as one of Southeast Asia’s most progressive financial institutions—pioneering mobile-first solutions that have transformed how millions access banking services. With an impressive track record of international awards recognising its commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, the organisation offers employees an inclusive workplace where knowledge sharing is celebrated. Here you’ll find flexible working opportunities designed around employee wellbeing alongside generous support for ongoing training so you can continue expanding your expertise. The company’s collaborative ethos encourages open dialogue between teams at every level; whether you’re engaging with executive leadership or mentoring junior colleagues, your contributions are valued as part of a shared mission toward excellence. By joining this forward-thinking bank at such an influential time in its journey toward digital transformation—and regional expansion—you’ll enjoy unparalleled exposure to cutting-edge practices while making a tangible difference in people’s lives every day.

What's next:

If you are ready to shape the future of operational risk management at one of Manila’s most respected digital banks—and thrive within an environment that values collaboration—this could be your next great career move.

Apply today by clicking on the link provided; take the first step towards joining an inspiring team dedicated to redefining modern banking.

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