At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead risk strategy execution and enhance governance in Global Payments & Trade.
- Company: BNY, a globally significant financial institution with a strong focus on risk management.
- Benefits: Opportunity for strategic exposure, cross-functional influence, and meaningful impact.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape how risk is governed across an important and evolving franchise.
- Qualifications: Strong background in business risk, governance, and stakeholder management.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 88000 £ per year.
BNY is seeking a high-calibre Director, Business Risk to join the First Line of Defence team within Global Payments & Trade in London.
Reporting to the Global Payments & Trade Head of 1LOD Risk and Controls Management, this is a visible role with international scope, supporting the execution of the platform’s risk agenda across a complex, fast-evolving business.
The successful candidate will help strengthen the business risk framework across Global Payments & Trade by enhancing risk transparency, governance effectiveness, and first line execution.
This role is suited to a senior risk professional with strong judgment, intellectual curiosity, and the credibility to operate effectively across senior stakeholders in a global, highly regulated environment.
It offers the opportunity to influence how risk is managed across a strategically important platform at the heart of BNY’s client franchise.
The role
The Director will support delivery of the Global Payments & Trade risk strategy by bringing rigor, clarity, and discipline to the first line risk environment.
The role spans executive reporting, governance, escalation oversight, and process and control enhancement, ensuring that business leadership has clear visibility of risk, strong management information, and effective support in addressing issues and priorities.
Working closely with senior stakeholders across product, operations, technology, compliance, legal, audit, and controls, the role will help translate strategic risk priorities into practical execution and stronger business accountability.
Key responsibilities
- Partner with the Global Payments & Trade Head of 1LOD Risk and Controls Management and senior leaders to support execution of the platform’s risk strategy.
- Lead the development of executive reporting, dashboards, and governance materials that provide clear insight into business risks, key issues, and strategic priorities.
- Drive effective first line governance across leadership forums, risk reviews, and control committees, with a focus on transparency, ownership, and follow-through.
- Oversee issue and escalation management, coordinating cross-functional responses and delivering clear, decision-oriented updates to senior stakeholders.
- Identify emerging risks, recurring themes, and opportunities to strengthen the control environment, governance model, and management information framework.
- Support process and control enhancement across payments and trade workflows, including remediation oversight, evidence management, and audit or regulatory readiness.
- Build strong partnerships across the first, second, and third lines of defense to reinforce consistency, accountability, and a strong culture of risk ownership.
- Contribute to team leadership through mentoring, high standards, and active support of a strong-performing environment.
- Candidate profile
This role will suit candidates with a strong track record in business risk, controls, governance, or related disciplines within leading financial institutions.
The successful candidate is likely to bring
- Strong domain knowledge in payments, transaction banking, cash management, trade finance, or a related wholesale banking environment.
- Proven experience and strong understanding of risk governance, operational risk, issue management, control frameworks, and audit/regulatory engagement within a complex, global, and regulated organization
- Demonstrated ability to translate complex operating and risk information into clear, executive-level reporting and actionable insight.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing capability, with the credibility to engage effectively across senior business and control stakeholders.
- Strong analytical capability, including experience with Excel, Power BI, or Tableau; familiarity with SQL, Alteryx, or Python would be advantageous.
- Excellent communication skills, sound judgment, and the ability to operate with pace and discipline in a matrixed environment.
- Why this role
This is an opportunity to join a globally significant business in a role with real visibility, breadth, and influence.
The successful candidate will work closely with senior leadership, contribute to the execution of a platform-wide risk agenda, and help shape how risk is governed across an important and evolving franchise.
For individuals seeking a role that combines strategic exposure, cross-functional influence, and meaningful impact, this represents a compelling opportunity.
Personal style
The ideal candidate will be strategic, credible, and execution-focused.
They will be comfortable navigating complexity, challenging constructively, and bringing clarity to ambiguous issues.
They will combine intellectual curiosity with strong delivery discipline and a clear commitment to strengthening risk management in support of business progress.
Director, Business Risk – Global Payments & Trade (First Line of Defence) in Slough employer: BNY
At BNY, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for the Vice President, Data Transfer – Integration & Quality role in London. Our commitment to a culture of excellence is reflected in our competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including generous paid leave and volunteer time, which support both personal and professional growth. We foster an inclusive environment that champions innovation and collaboration, providing ample opportunities for career advancement while ensuring our employees are equipped with the resources they need to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Business Risk – Global Payments & Trade (First Line of Defence) in Slough
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like BNY. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Business Risk – Global Payments & Trade (First Line of Defence) in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to BNY.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on BNY's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at BNY
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with BNY.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at BNY will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former BNY employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
