Head of Operations (Risk and Controls)

Executive Director – Head of Risk & Controls, Operations

Global Markets | Singapore or Hong Kong

Shape the future of risk management within a leading Investment Bank.

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an accomplished Operations Risk, Business Risk, Controls, or Operations Executive to lead the evolution of a best-in-class 1.5 Line of Defense framework within a global Investment Bank.

This is a highly visible Executive Director appointment, offering the opportunity to influence enterprise-wide risk strategy, operational governance, and organizational transformation across Global Markets Operations

Reporting to senior Operations leadership, you will be responsible for building and leading an embedded Risk & Controls function that sits at the intersection of Operations, Operational Risk, Compliance, Internal Audit, and Front Office stakeholders. You will play a pivotal role in strengthening the firm's control environment while enabling business growth, operational efficiency, and strategic transformation.

A key strategic priority for this role will be overseeing the risk and control framework supporting the integration of Middle Office functions into Operations, ensuring robust governance, regulatory compliance, and operational resilience throughout the transition.

What You Will

• Lead Define and execute the strategic vision for Risk & Controls across Global Markets Operations.
• Champion a modern 1.5 Line of Defense model, balancing operational effectiveness with independent challenge and oversight.
• Lead the integration of Middle Office functions into Operations, ensuring seamless transition and strong control environments.
• Drive enhancements to RCSA, KRI, issue management, governance, and operational risk frameworks.
• Partner with Operations leadership to embed risk management into business strategy, transformation initiatives, technology programmes, and change agendas.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders across Operations, Front Office, Risk Management, Compliance, and Internal Audit.
• Lead regulatory engagements, SOX initiatives, audit interactions, and remediation program
• mes.Build and develop a high-performing team of risk and controls professionals across multiple regions.

Who We Are Looking for.

This opportunity is ideally suited to senior leaders who began their careers within Investment Banking Operations and have subsequently progressed into Risk, Controls, Governance, COO, Business Management, Operational Risk, or Chief Controls Office functions

Successful candidates will typically

• bring:12+ years of experience across Investment Banking Operations, Middle Office, Operational Risk, Business Risk, Controls, Governance, or COO functions.
• Deep understanding of Global Markets products and post-trade operations, including trade lifecycle management, settlements, reconciliations, client onboarding, regulatory reporting, and control framework.
• Proven experience leading large-scale operational transformation, control enhancement, or organizational integration initiatives.
• Strong exposure to regulatory examinations, audit management, risk governance, and operational resilience programmes.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive change across complex global organizations.
• Experience operating within, or partnering closely with, 1st Line, 1.5 Line, and 2nd Line Risk functions.

Why This Opportunity

This is not a traditional Operational Risk role. It is an opportunity to build and shape a strategic control function within one of the industry's most critical operating environments. You will have the platform, visibility, and mandate to influence how risk is embedded within Operations while partnering directly with executive leadership on transformation, governance, and business performance.

If you are currently an Executive Director, Senior Director, Head of Controls, Head of Business Risk, Operations COO, Chief Controls Officer, Head of Operational Risk, or Head of Operations Governance seeking a broader leadership mandate, we would welcome a confidential discussion.

Please email your resume to [Confidential Information] for a confidential discussion.EA License no: 16S8066 | Reg no.:

R1107874Only successful candidates will be notified.