Executive Director First Line Risk and Control (Onsite Abu Dhabi) Contract

@Marc Ellis is #HIRING

Role: Executive Director, First Line Risk & Control

Location: Onsite, Abu Dhabi

Duration: 6 months (Extendable)

Key Accountabilities:

• Develop and maintain the Branch Risk profile covering all financial and non-financial risks.
• Own the branch’s control framework to reduce the risk of non-financial control breaches.
• Oversee enhanced governance to assess the effectiveness of controls across front office businesses.
• Optimize control framework by simplifying control responsibilities and reporting models.
• Ensure proactive management and execution of the control framework for the branch and relevant regulators.
• Produce and provide independent MIS and reports to assess the operational control environment.
• Oversee and coordinate annual Risk Control Self-Assessments (RCSAs) and Business Risk Assessments (BRAs).
• Conduct training sessions to strengthen a risk mitigation culture.
• Coordinate the internal validation of exceptional transactions and new product rollouts.
• Participate in internal Risk and Governance forums and provide advisory on operational risk governance.
• Ensure local and applicable regulatory guidelines are adhered to.
• Act as the SPOC for business management tasks such as DLP, BCP, Compliance reviews, RCSA coordination, SOPs, Product Approvals, and ARCHER reporting.
• Undertake ad-hoc projects and duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's or Master’s Degree in Risk Management, Finance, Business, or Accounting.
• 5-10 years of experience in line 1 or 2 Non-Financial Risk Roles, preferably in a Global Markets/Wholesale Banking business or as an auditor of financial institutions.
• Strong understanding of Global Markets & Wholesale Banking and associated products.
• Proven experience in operational risk methodology, internal control, business risk, internal audit, or Front Office.
• Strong communication skills in written and spoken English (additional language skills, particularly Mandarin, are appreciated but not mandatory).
• Demonstrated ability to identify key risks and contribute to the control framework.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Familiarity with the regulatory landscape in APAC.
• High ethical standards and a team player.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail and proactive in taking initiative.
• Proficient in MS Excel, PowerPoint, and other Office suite products.