Operational Resilience & Chief of Staff Office Leader

Overall Purpose:

Support the evolution of the UK Branch governance framework and facilitate the embedding of the Resilience Framework into branch operations. Assess and manage material risks, provide guidance to business lines on control implementation, and coordinate cross-departmental initiatives to strengthen the operating model.

Key Responsibilities:

Risk Assessment & Controls

• Analyze first-line risk indicators and assessments (KRIs, risk data) to identify trends or heightened risks; escalate to senior management when necessary.
• Coordinate monthly control campaigns and associated quality assurance activities.
• Independently assess, oversee, and challenge the effectiveness of first-line controls.
• Collaborate with supervisors and senior management to ensure remediation plans and resource allocation address control weaknesses.
• Monitor risk events and track timely closure, escalating issues as needed.

Governance & Supervision

• Ensure local supervision infrastructures comply with statutory requirements while supporting the establishment of minimum global standards.
• Facilitate key governance forums, including risk boards and control function committees.
• Monitor indicators to ensure supervisors adhere to supervision requirements; escalate issues appropriately.
• Oversee intragroup services, ensuring SLAs are met and reviewed regularly.
• Maintain policies and procedures frameworks for the branch.
• Collaborate closely with Second and Third Lines of Defence and relevant head office teams.

Other Duties

• Support business management functions for branch business lines.
• Assist in managing the branch resilience framework, including assessment and reporting.
• Contribute to ad hoc projects as required.

Key Skills & Experience Required:

• Knowledge of financial market products, services, and banking processes (front-to-back).
• Strong process thinking, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience in operational risk and/or crisis management is a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills; able to translate technical details to strategic context.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and operate proactively in a risk-based, pragmatic manner.
• Team-oriented with a coaching and pedagogical approach.
• Able to work under pressure, prioritizing competing objectives effectively.
• Experience managing projects, planning activities, and facilitating meetings.
• Rigorous, accurate, and detail-oriented.

Legal & Regulatory Responsibilities:

• Comply with all applicable legal, regulatory, and internal compliance requirements, including:
• FCA Individual Conduct Rules (integrity, due skill, care, diligence, customer fairness, market conduct).
• FCA Senior Managers Rules and PRA Senior Managers Rules (where applicable).
• Company compliance policies, financial crime prevention, and reporting obligations.