Job Summary

This position can be based in GBS Bangalore, GBS Kuala Lumpur, or GBS Poland. Please note that the application drop‑down currently displays only Bangalore or KL. If you are interested in another listed location, select either option and the recruitment team will contact you to confirm your preferred location.
Assurance is a Second line defence function established under a delegated Mandate from the Group Chief Risk Officer and the Group Head of Conduct, Financial Crime and Compliance (CFCR). The primary role of Assurance is to provide a risk-based independent view to Senior Management in the business/functions, Second Line and the Board as to the effectiveness of the bank's policies, processes, systems and controls. It facilitates identification of any gaps & inefficiencies, enabling prompt corrective action to be taken, and is a key source of evidence for the Board & Regulators. Assurance is part of the reasonable steps taken in support of SMF 4, 16 & 17 responsibilities.
The Head of Operational & Resilience Risk Assurance reports into the Global Head of Non-Financial Risk & Resilience Risk Assurance. The incumbent will lead the Bank's Operational & Resilience Risk Assurance team and oversee all Assurance reviews covering the Operational and Resilience Risk portfolio and will sit on respective Operational Risk Management Teams.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy

Support the Global Head of Non-Financial Risk & Resilience Risk Assurance in delivery of a strategy for provision of risk based and data driven assurance coverage across Operational & Resilience Risk and providing strategic leadership to deliver the strategy, taking account of industry good practise.
The Operational & Resilience Risk assurance strategy should focus on assessing effective risk management of: 2LOD risk policy setting, the 1LOD in managing the risks, controls and process in their business and functions; and; 2LOD in its role of providing challenge and oversight. All businesses and functions and geographies are within scope.
Work with Head of Data Risk Assurance, Head of Technology and Cyber Risk Assurance, and Head of Professional Services Assurance to ensure coverage of the Bank's Operational and Resilience risk and other key risks and controls, both by risk taxonomy and process.
Work with the Global Head of Assurance Data, Analytics, Group Risk Services (GRS) and Transformation to implement a technology-enabled assurance strategy, integrating data analytics and automation to enhance risk identification and audit efficiency.
Help drive a collaborative cross line of defence risk and control ecosystem.
Drive a culture of continuous improvement in delivery of the Assurance mandate, including by leveraging data and technology throughout the team.

Business

Provide senior oversight of the assurance book of work to ensure alignment to Bank's Operational & Resilience Risk priorities.
Contribute to the strategic intent and agenda of Risk, Operational & Resilience Risk and as such be accountable to lead or influence significant programmes of work in support of the broader Risk, Operational Risk, and Resilience Risk objectives.
Equip the Assurance function with sufficient appropriate resources and capability, to include technical, assurance/audit skills and systems capability.
Drive business enablement through delivery of risk based, insightful, value add Assurance products.
Awareness and understanding of the regulatory environment and Assurance industry good practise.

Processes

Ensure relevant Risk, Operational & Resilience Risk Assurance processes embed collaborative working across all three LODs.
Ensure Risk & Operational & Resilience Risk Assurance operates within all relevant Group Policies and Standards.
Manage Risk & Operational & Resilience Risk Assurance resources in GRS in line with intra-group agreements
Manage the budget associated with the Risk & Operational & Resilience Risk Assurance function.

People & Talent

Build, manage, coach and develop a team of quality assurance professionals, balancing locations, skills and competencies to position the Bank as an industry leader in the eyes of regulators and industry stakeholders.
Responsible for the organisational design of the Operational & Resilience Risk Assurance team, including driving improvements where necessary (efficiency, location strategy and diversity).
Proactively engage with stakeholders to ensure that relationships are trusted such that the team voice is respected at the most senior level.
Lead through example and build the appropriate culture and values within Assurance and across the wider organisation. Set appropriate tone and expectations for teams and work in collaboration with risk and control partners.
Provide functional leadership and subject matter expertise for regulatory inspections, internal fora and relevant external bodies.
Lead and develop a high-performing assurance team with expertise in data analytics, technology, and traditional audit methodologies.
Promote and embed a culture of openness, trust and risk awareness, where ethical, legal, regulatory and policy compliant conduct is the norm.
Take personal responsibility for embedding the highest standards of ethics, including regulatory and business conduct, across the Group. This includes understanding and ensuring compliance with, in letter and spirit, all applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and the Group Code of Conduct.

Risk Management

Design, deliver and execute a risk-based assurance plan informed from the underlying risk assessments and connecting to the Enterprise Risk Framework principles. This should align with regulatory commitments, broader compliance strategies, and financial plans.
Collaborate with Operational, Technology and Cybersecurity Risk (OTCR) Management to establish consistency of standards for risk reviews pan Bank and provide relevant analysis that provides visibility of the control environment, identifies emerging risks, and facilitates informed decision making at the holistic strategic level.
Define and develop structured Assurance capabilities to execute risk-based independent reviews of risk, process and control efficacy by assessing the design and operating effectiveness of key risks, processes and controls.
Provide oversight, challenge, and review of material attestations to provide confidence that the Bank's responses are factually accurate and backed by evidence.
Manage and maintain a risk-based plan to focus Assurance on areas of highest risk.
Communicate complex risks, issues and testing insights precisely and effectively to stakeholders and regulators as required.

Governance

Provide appropriate governance and oversight over the delivery of the Operational & Resilience Risk Assurance mandate.
Escalate matters requiring immediate attention directly to line management as required.
Act as delegate for the Global Head of Assurance at governance forums, including presenting papers and raising key issues, as required.
Provide reports to relevant Group and Business risk and control committees and management group on key risks and issues.
A member of respective Operational & Resilience Risk and other Risk Management Forums as required.

Regulatory & Business Conduct

Display exemplary conduct and live by the Group's Values and Code of Conduct.
Take personal responsibility for embedding the highest standards of ethics, including regulatory and business conduct, across Standard Chartered Bank. This includes understanding and ensuring compliance with, in letter and spirit, all applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and the Group Code of Conduct.
Lead the Global Assurance team to achieve the outcomes set out in the Bank's Conduct Principles: [Fair Outcomes for Clients; Effective Financial Markets; Financial Crime Compliance; The Right Environment.] *
Effectively and collaboratively identify, escalate, mitigate and resolve risk, conduct and compliance matters.
Providing ongoing reporting of risk exposure into governance meetings and to key stakeholders and escalating any blockages to progress to ensure Group MT, Risk Scorecard objectives are met.

Key stakeholders

Global Head of Assurance
Global Head of Assurance's Management Team
OTCR Management Team and other Risk Management Teams
Risk Market CROs/CCO
Group Internal Audit & Investigations
Legal & Group Corporate Secretariat (GCS)
COOs and Conduct and Control leads – business and functions
1LOD testing teams
Key regulatory bodies (as required) e.g. Bank of England, HKMA, MAS etc.
Appointed Regulatory Monitors

Other Responsibilities

Embed Here for good and Group's brand and values in the Global Assurance team
Perform other responsibilities assigned under Group, Country/Market, Business or Functional policies and procedures;
Conduct internal investigation in rare circumstances where the both the Group Investigations team and Compliance Speaking-up team are both implicated in an investigation.
Execute director responsibilities to entities where appointed as a Director, to ensure effective oversight and governance in line with local laws and the Group's polices and risk frameworks

Skills And Experience

Regulatory Environment – Non-Financial Services
Risk Management
Cross Functional Collaboration
Managing Change
Effective Communication

Qualifications

Strong assurance, risk and control testing, regulatory inspection in Operational & Resilience Risk within a banking environment.
Substantial experience in the banking industry, including demonstrated success in a similar roles, including across a range of risk areas.
Experience in leading transformations in risk and control testing/audit/assurance.
Experience in optimising processes, including via the use of technology.
Strong leadership qualities, excellent interpersonal skills and personal authority based on trusted relationships.
Experienced in building leading and motivating teams.
Strategic vision for the function.
Excellent communicator, effective leader and manager of complex, highly matrixed organizations and the ability to explain complex risk terms in business language.
Ability to collaborate and work dynamically across country, region, business, and group stakeholders
Strong drive, high levels of integrity, independence, and enthusiasm.
Strong expertise in data analytics, AI, automation, and technology risk management in banking.
Strong presentation skills and the overall knowledge, sound judgement and courage of conviction.

Languages: English

About Standard Chartered

We're an international bank, nimble enough to act, big enough for impact. For more than 170 years, we've worked to make a positive difference for our clients, communities, and each other. We question the status quo, love a challenge and enjoy finding new opportunities to grow and do better than before. If you're looking for a career with purpose and you want to work for a bank making a difference, we want to hear from you. You can count on us to celebrate your unique talents and we can't wait to see the talents you can bring us.

Our purpose, to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, together with our brand promise, to be here for good are achieved by how we each live our valued behaviours. When you work with us, you'll see how we value difference and advocate inclusion.

Together We

Do the right thing and are assertive, challenge one another, and live with integrity, while putting the client at the heart of what we do
Never settle, continuously striving to improve and innovate, keeping things simple and learning from doing well, and not so well
Are better together, we can be ourselves, be inclusive, see more good in others, and work collectively to build for the long term

What We Offer

In line with our Fair Pay Charter, we offer a competitive salary and benefits to support your mental, physical, financial and social wellbeing.

Core bank funding for retirement savings, medical and life insurance, with flexible and voluntary benefits available in some locations.
Time-off including annual leave, parental/maternity (20 weeks), sabbatical (12 months maximum) and volunteering leave (3 days), along with minimum global standards for annual and public holiday, which is combined to 30 days minimum.
Flexible working options based around home and office locations, with flexible working patterns.
Proactive wellbeing support through Unmind, a market-leading digital wellbeing platform, development courses for resilience and other human skills, global Employee Assistance Programme, sick leave, mental health first-aiders and all sorts of self-help toolkits
A continuous learning culture to support your growth, with opportunities to reskill and upskill and access to physical, virtual and digital learning.
Being part of an inclusive and values driven organisation, one that embraces and celebrates our unique diversity, across our teams, business functions and geographies - everyone feels respected and can realise their full potential.

Head, Operational Risk and Resilience Risk Assurance