Risk & Controls Oversight Lead - Models & AI

Barclays UK; London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading bank is seeking a Risk and Controls Oversight Lead in London. This critical role involves oversight on AI and risk management practices, ensuring compliance, and improving the control environment. Candidates should possess strong expertise in Model Risk Management and data analytics to drive the bank's risk frameworks effectively. Joining this esteemed institution will allow you to make an impactful contribution while working within a collaborative team culture committed to continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Experience in Model Risk Management and Artificial Intelligence.
• Proven data analytics and driving automation within Risk Management.
• Up-to-date knowledge of advancements in Models and AI.

Responsibilities

• Oversee risk management practices and ensure compliance.
• Develop and assess risk appetite and lead risk acceptance discussions.
• Enhance governance papers and reports for compliance.

Skills

Model Risk Management

Data Analytics

Automation

Ethical AI

Market Trends Analysis

Job description

As a Risk and Controls Oversight Lead in First Line, you'll be responsible for providing expert oversight on Models & AI. You’ll play a critical role in ensuring our risk management practices are strong, effective, and always in compliance with risk and control management frameworks. You’ll also act as a key bridge between the Customer & Digital Team, Chief Operating Office (CCO), second and third-line risk partners, and other stakeholders.

In this role, you’ll develop and assess risk appetite, lead conversations on risk acceptance, ensure controls are designed and assessed properly, resolve any gaps, and improve the control environment. You'll also ensure ongoing monitoring of controls to keep the business audit-ready, embed a proactive risk management culture, assess new business initiatives, and leverage tools like KRIs and risk dashboards.

You’ll stay on top of market trends and emerging risks, drive continuous education based on internal and external themes and lessons learned. You'll be responsible for ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations, preparing and enhancing governance papers and reports. Additionally, you’ll identify opportunities for data-led controls monitoring and automation of controls. You’ll ensure compliance with RCSA, Issue management, and Risk events management processes in line with the Operational Risk framework.

To be successful as a Risk and Controls Oversight Lead – Models & AI, you should have experience with:

• Expertise in Model Risk Management and Artificial Intelligence, with a focus on ethical principles, transparency, fairness assessments, and model algorithms.
• Proven experience in data analytics, data science, and driving automation and digitization within Risk Management processes.
• Up-to-date knowledge of the latest advancements in Models and AI, including Generative AI, and the associated risks.
• Deep understanding of market trends, competitor activities, and the broader risk environment, using this knowledge to drive continuous improvements in internal controls.

Some other highly valued skills may include:

• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a team of risk specialists.
• Ability to balance risk considerations with commercial objectives when defining Risk Appetite and influencing stakeholders on risk acceptance.
• Capability to apply expertise in Models and AI risk within the context of Customer & Digital, ensuring tailored solutions for this area.

You may be assessed on key critical skills relevant for success in the role, such as risk and controls, change and transformation, business acumen, strategic thinking, digital and technology, as well as job-specific technical skills.

This role is based in London (Canary Wharf).

Purpose of the role

To assess the integrity and effectiveness of the bank's internal control framework to support the mitigation of risk and protection of the bank's operational, financial, and reputational risk.

Accountabilities

• Knowledge of business areas, products, processes, and platforms to assess risk.
• Collaboration with various stakeholders across the bank and business units to improve overall control effectiveness through detailed documentation of control assessments, procedures, and findings.
• Identification and investigation of potential weaknesses and issues within internal controls to promote continuous improvement and risk mitigation aligned with the bank’s control framework, prioritized by severity to prevent disruptions.
• Development of reports to communicate key findings from risk assessments, including control weaknesses and recommendations to control owners, senior management, and other stakeholders.
• Execution of reviews to determine the effectiveness of the bank's internal controls framework in line with policies, regulation, and best practices.
• Implementation of adherence to the Barclays Controls Framework and appropriate methodology for assessing controls against it.

Vice President Expectations

• Contribute to strategy, drive requirements, and recommend changes. Plan resources, budgets, and policies; manage and maintain policies/processes; deliver continuous improvements; escalate breaches.
• If managing a team, define roles and responsibilities, plan for future needs, counsel employees, and contribute to pay decisions. Lead specialists to influence operations, balance short and long-term goals, and ensure budgets and schedules meet requirements.
• Demonstrate leadership behaviors: Listen and be authentic, Energize and inspire, Align across the enterprise, Develop others.
• As an individual contributor, be a subject matter expert, lead assignments, guide team members, and train less experienced specialists.
• Advise key stakeholders on impact and alignment.
• Manage and mitigate risks, demonstrate leadership in risk management and controls.
• Understand organizational functions to contribute to business goals.
• Collaborate across areas, build relationships, and influence stakeholders.
• Develop solutions through analytical thinking and research.
• Maintain trusting relationships to achieve business objectives using influencing skills.

All colleagues are expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Stewardship, as well as the Barclays Mindset of Empower, Challenge, and Drive.