Executive Risk Partner – Technology and Cyber Risk

ABOUT US We’re the world’s leading provider of secure financial messaging services, headquartered in Belgium. We are the way the world moves value – across borders, through cities and overseas. No other organisation can address the scale, precision, pace and trust that this demands, and we’re proud to support the global economy. We’re unique too. We were established to find a better way for the global financial community to move value – a reliable, safe and secure approach that the community can trust, completely. We’re always striving to be better and are constantly evolving in an ever-changing landscape, without undermining that trust. Five decades on, our vibrant community reflects the complexity and diversity of the financial ecosystem. We innovate diligently, test exhaustively, then implement fast. In a connected and exciting era, our mission has never been more relevant. Swift now has a presence in 200+ countries and legal territories to serve a community of more than 12,000 banks and financial institutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage risk assessment and mitigation strategies, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and supporting operational and technology resilience objectives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify and address technical risks in projects and operations, including those affecting service availability, continuity and recovery.
• Develop and implement risk management frameworks and policies that embed resilience principles and strengthen end‑to‑end control environments.
• Provide technical guidance and support to teams on risk-related matters, including technology, cyber, and operational resilience considerations.
• Engage with stakeholders to communicate risk and resilience management strategies, findings, and progress.
• Foster a culture of risk awareness, proactive risk management, and resilient-by-design thinking across the organisation.
• Monitor and report on risk management and resilience activities, emerging risks, and outcomes.
• Support the respective directorate by owning and managing the relationship and acting as a key risk and resilience partner.

Technical Requirements

• Strong technical background with expertise in risk assessment, mitigation, and control implementation across technology and operational environments.
• Proficiency in using risk management tools and methodologies, including quantitative and qualitative risk analysis.
• Experience in managing and overseeing technical projects, ensuring compliance with risk management and resilience standards and best practices.
• Ability to analyse complex technical data, identify potential risks, and provide actionable insights and recommendations that improve stability, continuity, and resilience.
• In-depth knowledge of technology and cyber risk at an enterprise level, including emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and resilience expectations in regulated environments.
• Familiarity with industry standards and frameworks such as ISO 27001, NIST, COBIT, and operational resilience regulatory expectations (e.g., DORA, where applicable).

Operational Excellence

• Champion best practices in operational risk management, resilience, and continuous improvement across first and second lines.
• Work with cross-functional teams to streamline processes, ensure risks are identified, enhance controls, build resilience into change, and maintain operational excellence.
• Report on operational and resilience risk performance to various governance forums at Executive, Board, and Oversight levels.

Leadership and Stakeholder Management

• Proven experience in leading and managing specialist small teams.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain risk and resilience concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels, including technology, security, operations, and regulatory-facing teams.
• Strategic thinking and problem‑solving abilities with an emphasis on improving end‑to‑end resilience.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and drive change across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; advanced degree preferred.
• Relevant certifications in risk management or related areas (e.g., ITIL, CBEST, CRISC, CISSP, engineering certifications) preferred.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of experience in risk management with a focus on technical aspects, ideally including exposure to cyber, technology, or operational resilience.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and ability to balance risk, resilience, and business priorities.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Proficiency in using risk management tools and software.
• Collaborative mindset with a proactive and solution‑oriented approach.
• Resilience and adaptability in a fast‑paced and evolving environment, with a focus on strengthening organisational and continuity.

What we offer

• We put you in control of your career.
• We give you a competitive package.
• We help you perform at your best.
• We help you make a difference.
• We give you the freedom to be yourself.

We are creating an environment of unique individuals – like you – with different perspectives on the financial industry and the world. A diverse and inclusive environment in which everyone’s voice counts and where you can reach your full potential. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact us to request accommodation. Don’t meet every single requirement? At Swift, we are dedicated to building a workplace where people can bring their full selves and ideas to the team, so if you are excited about this role, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every single qualification.