Group Head of Risk

Market Securities Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Direct access to Managing Partners

International scope

Competitive compensation

Dubai or London base with travel

Job summary

Market Securities Group is seeking an experienced risk leader to design and operate the Group's enterprise risk management framework, serving as the second line of defence with independent oversight across all business lines.

The role includes owning the Risk Appetite Statement, coordinating ICARA processes, and providing risk reporting to Partners and regulators. Strong FCA/DFSA experience and senior stakeholder engagement are essential.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of risk management experience in a regulated financial services setting.
• Hands-on experience leading RCSA programmes across multiple business lines.
• Strong working knowledge of applicable regulatory regimes (e.g., FCA MiFIDPRU/ICARA, DFSA, AMF).
• Ability to engage with senior leadership and regulators with clear, concise communication.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement the Group's enterprise risk management framework (2nd line of defence).
• Own and maintain the Group Risk Appetite Statement; produce risk reports for Partners/regulators.
• Lead ICARA process coordination across entities and regulatory submissions coordination.
• Oversee counterparty, market, credit, and liquidity risk across trading relationships.

Skills

Risk management

RCSA

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder engagement

Cyber security

Job description

Key Responsibilities

Risk Framework

Design and implement the Group's enterprise risk management framework operating as the second line of defence and providing independent oversight of risk-taking activities across all business lines and support functions Own and maintain the Group Risk Appetite Statement reviewed and validated annually with the Managing Partners Chair the Risk Committee and produce regular risk reporting for Partners and where applicable regulators across the Group's brokerage and asset management businesses Develop and maintain a Group-wide risk register updated on a defined cadence Review and challenge new products new markets new desks and material business changes through an appropriate New Product Approval governance framework with documented Risk involvement before launch or distribution and when material changes occur Capital Liquidity amp ICARALead and coordinate the annual ICARA process for KBL and equivalent prudential risk assessments across the Group s other regulated entities and asset management businesses in line with their respective regulatory frameworks Develop and maintain the stress testing and reverse stress testing programme calibrated to the Group's risk profile and business model Support wind-down planning and ensure the firm maintains credible and documented recovery options Monitor capital and liquidity adequacy on an ongoing basis and elevate early warning indicators to the Managing Partners Coordinate ICARA outputs with Finance CFO and Compliance to ensure consistency across regulatory submissions Counterparty Market amp Broker RiskOversee counterparty risk including broker defaults concentration risk and credit exposure across the Group's trading relationships Monitor settlement and clearing risk maintaining oversight of open positions failed trades and liquidity exposure Provide risk oversight of any principal positions inventory risk and market exposure where applicable Maintain visibility of liquidity risk across all entities with particular focus on the regulatory liquidity requirements of each regulated entity Provide independent risk assessment and ongoing oversight of structured products arranged or distributed by the Group including issuer and counterparty credit risk market and liquidity risk product complexity payoff structures and relevant valuation risks Assess potential exposures and losses to the Group and its clients including under stressed scenarios RCSA Risk and Control Self-Assessment Lead the RCSA programme across all departments and entities ensuring consistent methodology and meaningful engagement from function heads Facilitate department-level workshops to identify assess and score risks across all key business and support functions Assess and challenge the adequacy and effectiveness of control environments for each function identify gaps and tracking remediation actions through to closure Produce consolidated RCSA reporting for Partners and ensure outputs feed into audit and regulatory readiness processes Regulatory amp Compliance InterfaceWork closely with Compliance on risk-related regulatory matters across all Group entities business lines and jurisdictions reflecting each entity s permitted activities and applicable regulatory framework Provide independent oversight and challenge of adherence to applicable risk management and prudential requirements escalating material breaches control weaknesses and emerging risks to the relevant senior management and governing bodies Work with Compliance and local MLROs to assess and challenge financial crime risks including money laundering terrorist and proliferation financing sanctions fraud and bribery and corruption ensuring these are appropriately reflected in the Group s risk framework risk appetite and reporting Provide independent risk input and challenge in relation to client onboarding ongoing reviews and the acceptance continuation or exit of high-risk or complex client relationships informed by customer due diligence findings screening results and changes in client risk profiles Maintain oversight of outsourcing and third-party risk Provide risk-function oversight of conflicts of interest and market abuse as conduct risk categories within the Group s risk framework Assess and report on Non-Financial Misconduct NFM as a risk category in coordination with Compliance and HR Operational Risk amp Business ContinuityOversee operational risk monitoring across trading technology finance and support functions Oversee the maintenance and testing of the Group s Business Continuity Plan BCP and Disaster Recovery procedures Provide independent oversight and challenge of cyber security technology resilience and incident response protocols Culture amp Stakeholder EngagementEmbed a risk-aware culture across the Group through training communication and direct engagement with desk heads and function leads Act as a trusted advisor to the Managing Partners on risk-related strategic decisions including new market entry product launches and significant business changes Liaise with external auditors legal counsel and external advisors on risk-related matters

What We Offer

Direct access to and close partnership with Olivier Kopf and Elie Jabbour Managing Partners sponsors and the wider Partners group A mandate to strengthen a risk function that reflects the firm s ambitions International scope across the Group s brokerage and asset management businesses covering multiple regulatory jurisdictions Competitive compensation package commensurate with seniority and scope Dubai or London base with regular travel to Paris and other offices as required

Experience Minimum

6 years of relevant risk management experience within a regulated broker-dealer, investment firm or financial services group. Demonstrated experience building or restructuring a risk function in a small-to-mid-size institution. Strong working knowledge of FCA (MiFIDPRU/ICARA) regulatory requirements and familiarity with DFSA, AMF and asset management regulatory frameworks. Hands-on experience leading RCSA programmes across multiple business lines. Track record of engaging directly with senior leadership and regulators.

Skills & Attributes

Structured thinker with strong analytical and written communication skills. Ability to operate autonomously in a lean, entrepreneurial environment builder mindset, not just operator. Commercially aware: understands how risk decisions affect business performance and broker relationships. Discreet, calm under pressure, and able to deliver difficult messages constructively. Fluency in English required; French or Arabic a plus given the Group's geographic footprint.