Senior Operational Risk Specialist

The Opportunity

As a Senior Operational Risk Specialist, you will take a hands-on role in identifying, assessing, monitoring, and mitigating operational risks across the organisation. We are looking for an individual who can translate strategic risk objectives into concrete actions. This role ensures that operational processes operate within established risk parameters and agreed appetites, and in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

Risk Identification and Assessment:

• Identify and assess operational risks: Work closely with collaborators (e.g., finance, operations, IT) to pinpoint current and emerging risk exposures.
• Conduct risk assessments: Lead the annual internal control assessment process, ensuring comprehensive coverage in partnership with internal audit and process owners.
• Analyse and resolve incidents: Investigate material risk events, determining root causes and impacts, and leading all aspects of subsequent remediation efforts.
• Document and track controls: Ensure processes, risks and controls are accurately recorded and continually updated.

Risk Monitoring and Reporting:

• Maintain risk registers: Coordinate the creation and maintenance of risk registers, ensuring accuracy through regular engagement with relevant teams.
• Technical expertise & execution: Serve as a subject matter expert on all operational risk frameworks, guiding the refinement of Risk and Control Matrices (RACMs)
• Implement and monitor KRIs: Develop and track key risk indicators (KRIs)providing timely, data-driven insights to senior management and the Board of Directors.
• Partner liaison: Collaborate with external auditors and process owners to driving swift resolution of control deficiencies.
• Risk Committee engagement: Prepare and present operational risk updates to the Risk Committee, providing recommendations on mitigation strategies and soliciting feedback on emerging issues.

Risk Mitigation & Incident Management:

• Mitigate risks promptly: Work with cross-functional teams to design and implement effective controls and action plans.
• Incident investigations & follow-up: Oversee investigations into operational risk incidents, ensuring comprehensive remediation and prompt closure of corrective actions.

Policy and Procedure Governance

• Implement risk management policies: Translate strategic policies into well-defined operational procedures, ensuring thorough adoption within daily workflows.
• Drive compliance: Proactively guide teams across the organisation, offering coaching and support to embed risk policies in their functional areas.

Training and Awareness:

• Promote a risk-aware culture: Conduct targeted training sessions and workshops to raise risk awareness throughout the organisation.
• Offer continuous mentorship: Provide direct assistance to staff, ensuring a consistent application of risk management standard methodologies.

Regulatory and Compliance:

• Ensure regulatory compliance: Align operational activities with GDPR, sanctions, PCI, and other relevant standards, addressing compliance gaps promptly.
• Coordinate with functions: Collaborate closely with data privacy, finance, payments, etc. to maintain legal and regulatory adherence, including direct engagements with regulatory bodies (in collaboration with the Office of the General Counsel) where vital.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Business Administration, Risk Management, or a related field (Master’s or equivalent experience preferred).
• Professional certifications such as Certified Risk Manager (CRM), Financial Risk Manager (FRM), Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) or similar.
• Minimum of 5-7+ years of experience in operational risk management, with direct involvement in technology, cyber security, and business operations.
• Ability to apply risk management frameworks, meet regulatory requirements, and implement industry standard methodologies.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing risk management policies and procedures and controls.
• Able to translate broader risk objectives into practical strategies.
• Skilled at uncovering root causes and implementing effective, sustainable solutions.
• Adept at conveying complex data insights and influencing collaborators at all organisational levels.
• Experience with risk management tools (e.g., GRC platforms) and related software.
• Strong multitasking ability without compromising attention to detail.

About ESW

Our purpose is simple: to create moments that matter between people and the brands they cherish. We enable brands to expand their global reach, facilitating simple and seamless ecommerce experiences for consumers worldwide. Through our integration solutions, we deliver a complete international checkout experience, including local duties, taxes, fulfilment, delivery management, and global returns and payment processing capabilities.

Guided by our values—Own It, Champion Simplicity, Win as One, and Debate then Commit—we strive to foster innovation, accountability, and teamwork, creating solutions that inspire trust and drive impactful results.

Why join us?

• Competitive salary and benefits: Your financial well being is important to us. Join ESW and experience the satisfaction of being rewarded for your hard work, dedication and commitment.
• Professional and personal development: Find your spark and leave your mark. We will ensure your talent is nurtured and cultivated for growth and success throughout your career with ESW.
• Hybrid Working: Our Hybrid Working Model empowers you to embrace the flexibility of hybrid working and enjoy the best of office and remote work.
• Diversity, Belonging & Inclusion: When we win, we win together. You'll be part of a culture that values every individual for who they are, fostering an environment where uniqueness is encouraged.

ESW is an equal opportunity employer, and we’re proud of our ongoing efforts to foster diversity, equity, & inclusion in the workplace. Individuals seeking employment and employees at ESW are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, ancestry, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

If you require any reasonable accommodations or adjustments throughout the hiring process, please let us know. We are dedicated to ensuring equal access and opportunity for all candidates.

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