Chief Risk Officer – Boutique Investment Bank (SMF4 & SMF16)

The Role

Martis Search are representing a City of London, boutique Investment Bank to hire a “Chief Risk Officer.” This is an amazing opportunity to help build out, develop the existing Bank’s Risk Management framework and manage all aspects of Risk Management for the Bank. The role is responsible for the Bank’s Market Risk, Liquidity Risk, Credit Risk and Operational Risk. This is a senior role and reports into the company’s CEO and has a dotted line into their Board of Directors.

The seniority of the role’s responsibility means that our client is ideally looking for someone to currently hold mandatory “FCA Senior Management Control Functions: SMF16 – Compliance Oversight. There will be one indirect report and potential to hire in the future, but this exciting role will also involve quarterly “Executive Board” meetings that the chosen incumbent must attend (and represent the Risk Management department in Board Level matters).

The size of the department means our client needs someone who is both “hands-on” and able to “roll-up-their-sleeves” with BAU daily Risk Management tasks, as well as being able to be “strategic” i.e. high level change, new system implementation, creating complex policies and procedures.

The company is a highly profitable “Trading” organisation, with a genuinely friendly team, with low turnover of staff and lots of good social activities.

Job Purpose:

• To ensure that the Risk Management Framework of the company is in line with regulatory expectations, maintained in line with Board approval and operates effectively.
• To compile, assess and report risk information to the CEO, Risk Committees, and the Board.
• To promote and foster a proactive risk culture across the company.
• To ensure that the company’s management of risk is forward looking and aligned to the company’s strategy and growth objectives.
• Collaboratively and effectively with the Company’s Directors and team members to deliver the Company’s business strategy, with a particular focus on developing an integrated risk and compliance monitoring framework and driving the Company’s Risk strategy and associated initiatives.
• Developing and embedding a successful risk and compliance function within the Company (including but not limited to: standards and controls, framework, processes and management information) and ensuring that the business manages its risks within the Company’s agreed risk appetite.
• Working with the MLRO/Nominated Officer to develop the company’s policies and procedures for countering the risk that the firm might be used to further financial crime.
• Working in partnership with the 1st line management team to identify and mitigate risk, through the deployment of effective strategies, policies, and processes.
• Identifying emerging risks and developing strategies to monitor and control these.
• Benchmarking and implementing best risk management practices for the Company in line with regulatory standards and industry practices.
• Providing support and, where required, robust challenge, to 1st line directors, management and team members, in business discussions and presentations.
• Maintaining appropriate independence and objectivity with the key focus of protecting the business and its clients.
• Presenting relevant management information to the Board in order to facilitate the Board's understanding of any residual or emerging risks and issues.
• Recruiting, managing and developing a high-quality team to support the growth and development of an effective Risk and Compliance team.
• Establishing and maintaining a strong business-wide Risk culture, with due regard for relevant legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Ensuring the company has systems and controls in place to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and regulation.

Required qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• Leadership skills, including the ability to manage risks, compliance and controls of regulated company activities.
• Considerable knowledge and experience of best practice risk management and governance frameworks, methodologies, and emerging practice, in relation to the UK financial services context.
• Skilled communicator with the ability to influence and motivate others.
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to analyse complex information to identify the key issue/action and drive resolution.
• Knowledge and understanding of risk control arrangements.
• Proven ability to oversee credit, market and operational risks.
• Sound knowledge of regulatory environment and key regulatory regimes.
• Understanding of the issues involved in running a business, including the key financial dynamics and drivers.

Between £150 k pa - £200 k pa dependent upon experience, plus annual bonus, profit share, amazing holiday entitlement, healthcare and pension.