Operational Risk Specialist AVP

Our client is an international bank based in White Plains, NY. They are looking for an AVP of Non-financial Risk to join their team on a permanent basis. Fluency in Spanish is required.

Overview:

Lead enterprise risk management for the New York Agency, serving as the senior risk lead and primary risk partner for local operations.

This role is responsible for ensuring the effective implementation of the Enterprise Risk Management Framework established by Head Office, acting as a strategic bridge between the New York Agency and Head Office while promoting alignment with internal policies and applicable U.S. and international regulatory expectations, including SEC, NYDFS, FFIEC, and OCC standards.

The position also leads the identification, assessment, monitoring, and mitigation of non-financial risks in New York, including operational risk, fraud risk, model risk, third-party risk, business continuity, and information security risk, with an integrated and enterprise-wide perspective.

Responsibilities:

• Lead non-financial risk oversight for the New York Agency, serving as the primary point of contact between the Agency and Head Office on non-financial risk matters.
• Serve as the principal point of contact for U.S. regulators, internal audit, and external audit on matters related to non-financial risk.
• Oversee the integrated management of non-financial risks, including operational risk, fraud risk, model risk, third-party risk, business continuity, and information security risk.
• Monitor risks associated with the correspondent banking business, given its relevance to the Bank’s overall risk profile.
• Prepare and present materials for the Agency Risk Committee, ensuring timely, accurate, well-supported, and traceable risk reporting.
• Coordinate model risk management interactions, including inquiries related to credit loss reserve models and related governance requirements.
• Liaise with the Head Office corporate insurance risk owner regarding insurance policies maintained by the New York Agency.
• Support fraud risk management activities by identifying fraud-related risks and controls and maintaining an up-to-date risk and control matrix.
• Conduct operational risk assessments across Agency processes and issue results reports on a semiannual or quarterly basis, consistent with the agreed supervisory plan.
• Track remediation plans arising from operational risk assessments and verify timely completion of commitments by process owners.
• Develop and maintain the Agency’s Business Impact Analyses (BIAs) and Business Continuity Plan (BCP), ensuring alignment with corporate methodology and periodic review requirements.
• Assess risks associated with Agency vendors and prepare related reports in accordance with the organization’s Third-Party Risk Management framework.
• Prepare periodic updates and results presentations on operational risk, business continuity, and third-party risk for the Agency Risk Committee, ensuring data quality and auditability.
• Act as the liaison with Head Office for corporate insurance matters and other components of the enterprise risk framework.

Requirements:

• Advanced written and verbal English proficiency.
• Spanish language skills preferred.
• Experience with non-financial risk management, including operational risk, model risk, third-party risk, business continuity, fraud risk, and technology or information security risk.
• Knowledge of market practices for risk metrics, model risk management methodologies, capital requirements, Basel standards, and U.S. regulatory expectations applicable to foreign banking organizations and New York financial institutions.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, including mathematics and statistics.
• Process-oriented mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and control effectiveness.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.