Company overview

Nomura is a global financial services group with an integrated network spanning approximately 30 countries and regions. By connecting markets East & West, Nomura services the needs of individuals, institutions, corporates and governments through its three business divisions: Wealth Management, Investment Management, and Wholesale (Global Markets and Investment Banking). Founded in 1925, the firm is built on a tradition of disciplined entrepreneurship, serving clients with creative solutions and considered thought leadership. For further information about Nomura, visit www.nomura.com
Department / Role Overview:

The Vice President of Risk and Control for Operations plays a critical role in maintaining and enhancing the operational risk management framework within the organization's operations division. This position is responsible for ensuring robust governance structures are embedded throughout operational processes while supporting the broader risk management objectives of the firm. The role requires close collaboration with various stakeholders to identify, assess, and mitigate operational risks while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies.

The successful candidate will work closely with regional leadership to execute risk management initiatives and contribute to the continuous improvement of the control framework. This role demands a professional who can balance detailed operational knowledge with strategic risk thinking, ensuring that day-to-day activities align with the organization's risk appetite and regulatory obligations.

Role Description:

The Vice President will oversee the Risk and Control Self-Assessment (RCSA) process for Operations, ensuring that appropriate challenge is provided to preserve the integrity and purpose of the framework. This involves working closely with operational teams to identify potential risks, assess existing controls, and recommend enhancements where necessary. The role requires regular interaction with process owners to ensure that risk assessments are comprehensive, accurate, and reflect the current operational environment.
A significant portion of the role involves engaging in discussions concerning the control framework with Internal and External Auditors. The Vice President will cooperate in the completion of audits, including SOX audits, and will be responsible for ensuring that audit findings are addressed appropriately and in a timely manner. This includes coordinating responses, implementing remediation plans, and monitoring the effectiveness of corrective actions.
The position requires active management of relationships with Operational Risk Management (ORM), Internal and External Audits, Front Office Supervision (FOS), Business Managers, and other Control counterparts. This involves regular communication, coordination of risks, and ensuring alignment on risk management priorities and initiatives. The Vice President must be able to work effectively across different functions and levels of the organization.
Oversight of Key Risk Indicator (KRI) breaks and exceptions forms another critical component of the role. The Vice President will periodically assess the impact of these indicators, challenge their relevance and effectiveness, and work with stakeholders to enhance the KRI framework. This includes analyzing trends, identifying emerging risks, and recommending adjustments to ensure the indicators remain fit for purpose.
The role involves comprehensive analysis of incidents and events, performing impact and trend analysis to understand root causes and systemic issues. The Vice President will assess the strategic outlook of proposed actions and ensure that lessons learned are incorporated into the control framework. This analytical work supports both immediate response efforts and longer-term risk management improvements.
Managing the closure of audit action points and issues represents a key accountability. The Vice President will work closely with department heads to ensure accuracy and completeness of responses, monitor progress against agreed timelines, and escalate issues where necessary. This requires strong ability to influence stakeholders across the organization.
Active engagement with the Global Functional Risk and Control team ensures functional consistency and standardized control frameworks across different regions and business lines. The Vice President will participate in global initiatives, share best practices, and contribute to the development of firm-wide risk management standards.
Collaboration with cross-divisional and regional counterparts on initiatives designed to enhance the control and governance framework for Operations is essential. This involves participating in working groups, contributing to policy development, and supporting the implementation of new frameworks or processes.
The Vice President will initiate projects and analysis as necessary to pave the way for a better control framework within Operations. This includes identifying opportunities for improvement, developing business cases for change, and leading implementation efforts. The role requires entrepreneurial thinking and the ability to drive change in a complex organizational environment.
Ensuring consistent understanding of relevant standards and guidelines applicable to Operations is crucial. The Vice President will stay current with regulatory developments, industry best practices, and internal policy changes, and will communicate these effectively to operational teams.
The role includes conducting training, awareness sessions, and case study presentations on themes relevant to the current control environment. This educational component ensures uniform appreciation of existing risks and controls among Operations teams and supports the development of a strong risk culture.
Participation in cross-border forums, and other cross-divisional or cross-regional forums is expected as deemed appropriate. These activities provide opportunities to share knowledge, learn from other areas of business, and contribute to firm-wide risk management initiatives.
The Vice President will participate in Quality Assurance reviews following appropriate training to conduct such reviews. This involves applying structured methodologies to assess control effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.

Requirements:

Candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent qualification in Finance or related subjects.
Experience in managing Capital Markets and Wealth Management risks with relevant exposure in Operations is essential, with a preference for candidates who have a risk management background as well as candidates who have utilized data analytics in their assessments.
The role requires an individual who is self-driven and capable of working independently while maintaining high standards of performance. The Vice President must demonstrate initiative in identifying risks and opportunities, proactively addressing issues, and driving improvements without constant supervision.
Equally important is the ability to follow steer on Risk and Control matters from senior leadership and subject matter experts. The successful candidate must be able to receive guidance, interpret strategic direction, and implement initiatives in alignment with organizational priorities and risk management frameworks.
The successful candidate must be a confident communicator with strong presentation skills. The role requires regular interaction with senior stakeholders, audit teams, and regulatory bodies, making effective communication essential for success.
Comfort with negotiating and the ability to seek buy-ins from key stakeholders is crucial. The Vice President must be able to influence others, build consensus, and drive change across different areas of the organization.
Keen attention to detail is essential, combined with the ability to multitask effectively and enjoy problem-solving. The role involves managing multiple priorities simultaneously while maintaining high standards of accuracy and thoroughness.
Strong analytical skills and the ability to quickly learn new products and systems are required. The Vice President must be able to thrive in a challenging, constantly changing environment where adaptability and continuous learning are essential.
The role demands a dynamic individual with strong character and excellent interpersonal skills. Success requires the ability to build relationships, work collaboratively, and maintain professional effectiveness under pressure.

Nomura Competencies

Explore Insights & Vision

Identify the underlying causes of problems faced by you or your team and define a clear vision and direction for the future.

Making Strategic Decisions

Evaluate all the options for resolving the problems and effectively prioritize actions or recommendations.

Inspire Entrepreneurship in People

Inspire team members through effective communication of ideas and motivate them to actively enhance productivity.

Elevate Organizational Capability

Engage proactively in professional development and enhance team productivity through the promotion of knowledge sharing.

Inclusion

Respect DEI, foster a culture of psychological safety in the workplace and cultivate a Risk Culture (Challenge, Escalate and Respect).

Diversity Statement

Nomura is committed to an employment policy of equal opportunities, and is fundamentally opposed to any less favourable treatment accorded to existing or potential members of staff on the grounds of race, creed, colour, nationality, disability, marital status, pregnancy, gender or sexual orientation.

DISCLAIMER: This Job Description is for reference only, and whilst this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, it is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions associated with the job. The management reserves the right to revise the job and may, at his or her discretion, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Nomura is an Equal Opportunity Employer

SFID: 13232

Vice President - Risk and Control - Operations