Risk & Controls Oversight Senior Lead - AI & Data Risk

Overview hackajob is collaborating with Barclays to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role. As a Risk & Controls Oversight Senior Lead – AI & Data Risk you’ll be responsible for providing expert oversight on AI and Data Risk. You’ll play a critical role in ensuring our risk management practices are robust, effective, and in compliance with risk and control management frameworks. You’ll act as a bridge between the Customer & Digital Team, Chief Operating Office (CCO), second- and third-line risk partners, and other stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and assess risk appetite, lead conversations on risk acceptance, ensure controls are designed and assessed properly, resolve gaps and improve the control environment.
• Ensure ongoing monitoring of controls to keep the business audit-ready, embed an active risk management culture, assess new business activities and leverage tools such as KRIs and risk dashboards.
• Stay on top of market trends and emerging risks, drive continuous education based on internal and external themes and lessons learnt.
• Ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations, prepare and enhance governance papers and reports.
• Identify opportunities for data-led controls monitoring and automation of controls.
• Ensure compliance with RCSA, issue management and risk events management processes in line with the Operational Risk framework.

Qualifications / Required experience

• Good understanding of Retail Banking Customer Journeys to identify and manage associated risks and controls.
• In-depth expertise in Data and Records Management, including data architectures, data quality standards, and data retention/deletion practices.
• Expertise in AI, with a focus on ethical principles, transparency and fairness assessments.
• Ensure good risk assessment and governance across use AI case approval, validation, deployment and monitoring.
• Up-to-date with the latest advancements in AI, including Generative AI, and the associated risks.
• Proven experience in data analytics, data science, and driving automation and digitization within Risk Management processes.
• Ability to balance risk management with business goals when defining Risk Appetite and effectively influencing or negotiating with stakeholders on risk acceptance.
• Ability to conduct active deep dives and risk assessments for active risk management.
• Well-versed in market trends, competitor activities, and the broader risk environment, with the ability to use this knowledge to enhance internal controls.
• Gravitas and experience in influencing senior stakeholders including Managing Director level.
• Ability to design and implement the risk strategy in line with the overall vision of UK Customer and Digital function.
• Deep understanding of market trends, competitor activities, and the broader risk environment, using this knowledge to drive continuous improvements in internal controls.
• Subject matter expertise and experience of delivering transformation and change in risk management.

Other valued skills

• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a team of risk specialists.
• Ability to balance risk considerations with commercial objectives when defining Risk Appetite and influencing stakeholders on risk acceptance.
• Capable of applying expertise in Data and AI risk within the context of Customer & Digital, ensuring tailored solutions for this area.

You may be assessed on key critical skills relevant for success in role, such as risk and controls, change and transformation, business acumen and strategic thinking, and digital and technology, as well as job-specific technical skills. This role is based in London.

Purpose of the role

To assess the integrity and effectiveness of the bank's internal control framework to support the mitigation of risk and protection of the bank's operational, financial, and reputational risk.

Accountabilities

• Knowledge of business areas, products, processes and platforms to assess risk.
• Collaboration with various stakeholders across the bank and business units to improve overall control effectiveness through detailed documentation of control assessments, procedures, and findings.
• Identification and investigation of potential weaknesses and issues within internal controls to promote continuous improvement and risk mitigation aligned to the bank’s control framework, prioritised by severity to disrupt bank operations.
• Development of reports to communicate key findings from risk assessment including control weaknesses and recommendations to control owners, senior management and other stakeholders.
• Execution of reviews to determine the effectiveness of the bank's internal controls framework aligned to established and evolving policies, regulation, and best practice.
• Implementation of adherence to the Barclays Controls Framework and set appropriate methodology of assessing controls against the Controls Framework.

Vice President Expectations

• Contribute or set strategy, drive requirements and make recommendations for change.
• Plan resources, budgets, and policies; manage and maintain policies/processes; deliver continuous improvements and escalate breaches of policies/procedures.
• Leading a team or as an individual contributor, define roles, responsibilities, and plan for the department’s future needs.
• Demonstrate leadership behaviours to empower and support colleagues and deliver to a high standard.
• Advise stakeholders on functional and cross-functional areas of impact and alignment.
• Manage and mitigate risks through assessment, in support of the control and governance agenda.
• Demonstrate leadership and accountability for managing risk and strengthening controls.
• Demonstrate understanding of organizational functions to contribute to business goals.
• Collaborate with other areas to keep up to speed with business activity and strategies.
• Develop solutions based on analytical thinking and problem solving.
• Seek out, build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders to accomplish key objectives.

All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship – our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right. They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge and Drive.