Sr Group Risk Specialist (US)

Senior Group Risk Specialist

The Senior Group Risk Specialist provides a comprehensive and diverse range of risk management expertise to business leaders. Leads and supports the implementation of appropriate risk frameworks and leading related management activities to mitigate enterprise and/or business-wide risk exposures for key business segment of the Bank or functional area. May provide oversight, commentary, and recommendations based on overall strategy and industry best practices.

Depth & Scope:

• Recognized as top level expert within the company and requires significant in-depth and/or breadth of expertise in a complex field and knowledge of broader related areas
• Senior specialist providing advisory services to executives, business segment leaders and governs requirements for own work
• Integrates knowledge of the enterprise function's or business segment's strategy in leading program design, policy formulation or operating standards within one or more areas of expertise
• Anticipates emerging business trends and regulatory/risk issues as a basis for recommending large-scale product, technical, functional or operations improvements
• Serves as a source of expert advice to senior management in field of specialty; may lead team(s) of related specialists/experts
• Advises on execution strategy and leads the development and deployment of functional programs or initiatives within own field or across multiple specialties
• Solves unique and ambiguous problems with broad impact; typically oversees standards, controls and operating methods that have significant financial and operational impact within the context of own field
• Requires innovative thinking to develop new solutions
• Impacts the technical or functional direction and resource allocation of part of an enterprise function or business segment
• Works within general policies and industry guidelines
• Engages stakeholders to take action; serves as a source of expert advice, influences change; frames information in a broader context
• Provides leadership guidance, makes recommendations and collaborates with business to ensure solutions meet the business needs on a complex project or program
• Identifies and leads problem resolution for project/program complex requirements related issues at all levels

Education & Experience:

• Undergraduate degree or technical certificate and/or
• 10+ years relevant experience
• Advanced knowledge of risk management governance, programs, policies, practices, operating frameworks & reporting for business supported and/or area of discipline to deliver objective guidance and independent challenge on initiatives.
• Knowledge of risk management environment, standards, regulations and mitigation
• Knowledge of current and emerging competitor and market trends
• Ability to contribute to strategic direction of the function and provide advice to senior leadership
• Skill in mentoring and coaching
• Skill in using advanced analytical software tools, data analysis methods and specialized reporting techniques
• Advanced ability to lead, plan, implement, and evaluate program/project activities to ensure completion of initiatives
• Ability to make an impact, influence, and achieve results with effective negotiation, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Skill in using computer applications including MS Office
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form
• Ability to work collaboratively and build relationships across teams and functions
• Ability to work successfully as a member of a team and independently
• Ability to exercise sound judgement in making decisions
• Ability to analyze, organize and prioritize work while meeting multiple deadlines
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion

Customer Accountabilities:

• Leads the development and/or implementation of specific standards, policies and/or processes that identify, report on and mitigate operational (or all major) risk exposures within the business
• Proactively analyzes potential risks and ensures escalation of key risks to appropriate areas and/or executive review with business executive findings and action plans to mitigate and manage these risks
• Establishes and provides on-going analysis and reporting on operational risk and/or other major risk categories as applicable to own business or functional area, and reviews findings and action plans with business leaders to mitigate and manage key issues
• Coordinates and/or guides activities relating to core operational risk disciplines/programs including, Risk & Control Self-Assessment, Business Continuity Management, Outsourcing & Vendor Management, Regulatory Compliance (e.g. CDIC, AML, Privacy, IDA, CBA, SOX, Basel etc.)
• Supports enterprise-wide operational risk escalation, review and approval processes, data management, policies and risk assessment processes
• Directs the development and monitoring of Key Risk Indicators and facilitate communication and resolution of risk issues among other business segments where applicable
• May be accountable for managing ancillary operational risk areas (e.g. BCM/incident management, outsourcing/vendor management, fraud aggregation and assessment, Basel implementation/capital analysis, change management, Privacy, AML, LCM and other regulatory issues), in addition to core functions
• May be responsible for providing support for other major risk areas (e.g. Market, Credit, Reputational and/or Regulatory risks etc.)
• May be a point of contact for guidance in the monitoring/reporting of compliance, management, and strategic initiatives
• Provides broad/deep commentary in support of the development/maintenance/oversight of policies/procedures/practices, as required

Shareholder Accountabilities:

• Adheres to enterprise frameworks or methodologies that relate to activities for our business area
• Ensures respective programs/policies/practices are well managed, meet business needs, comply with internal and external requirements, and align with business priorities
• Consistently exercises discretion in managing correspondence, information and all matters of confidentiality; escalates issues where appropriate
• Ensures business operations are in compliance with applicable internal and external requirements ( e.g. financial controls, segregation of duties, transaction approvals and physical control of assets)
• Participates in cross-functional/enterprise/initiatives as a subject matter expert helping to identify risk/provide guidance for complex situations
• Conducts internal and external research projects; supports the development/delivery of presentations/communications to management or broader audience
• Conducts meaningful analysis at the functional or enterprise level using results to draw conclusions, make recommendations and assess the effectiveness of programs/policies/practices
• Monitors service, productivity and assesses efficiency levels within own function and implements continuous process/performance improvements where opportunities exist
• Leads/facilitates and/or implements actions/remediation plans to address performance/risk/governance issues
• Actively manages relationships within and across various business lines, corporate and/or oversight functions and ensures alignment with enterprise and/or regulatory requirements
• Keeps abreast of emerging issues, trends, and evolving regulatory requirements and assesses potential impacts
• Maintains a culture of risk management and control, supported by effective processes in alignment with risk appetite

Employee/Team Accountabilities:

• Participates fully as a member of the team, supports a positive work environment that promotes service to the business, quality, innovation and teamwork and ensures timely communication of issues/points of interest
• Provides thought leadership and/or industry knowledge for own area of expertise in own area and participates in knowledge transfer within the team and business unit
• Keeps current on emerging trends/developments and grows knowledge of the business, related tools and techniques
• Participates in personal performance management and development activities, including cross training within own team
• Keeps others informed and up-to-date about the status/progress of projects and/or all relevant or useful information related to day-to-day activities
• Contributes to team development of skills and capabilities through mentorship of others, by sharing knowledge and experiences and leveraging best practices
• Leads, motivates and develops relationships with internal and external business partners/stakeholders to develop productive working relationships
• Contributes to a fair, positive and equitable environment that supports a diverse workforce
• Acts as a brand ambassador for your business area/function and the bank, both internally and/or externally

Preferred Qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience and a firm understanding of risk management principles, especially as they relate to technology operations.
• 5