Head of Risk

PAYCOM EUROPE LIMITED; Dublin; On-site; EUR 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Paycom Europe Limited is recruiting a Head of Risk (PCF-14) to lead the Enterprise Risk Management framework and oversee governance, controls, and resilience across the organisation. The role requires a deep understanding of regulatory expectations and strong board-facing communication.

You will drive risk policy, risk appetite, and risk reporting to senior management and committees. The position demands substantial experience in risk management within financial services, plus a track record of

Qualifications

• Minimum 7+ years’ experience in enterprise or operational risk management.
• Experience as a PCF-14 role holder within a payment services organisation is strongly preferred.
• Strong familiarity with Central Bank of Ireland regulatory expectations, including PRISM guidance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and enhancement of the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework.
• Maintain and update Risk Management Policy, Risk Register, Risk Appetite Statement and governance docs.
• Oversee risk monitoring and testing programme aligned with CBI expectations.
• Conduct regular risk reviews across operational, financial, IT/cyber, and third-party domains.
• Deliver timely risk reporting to senior management, Board, and risk/audit committees.
• Provide clear guidance on risk posture to support strategic decision-making.
• Collaborate with Compliance, Finance, Legal, Operations, IT, and Product to embed risk awareness.
• Engage with regulatory bodies including the Central Bank of Ireland and PRISM engagements.
• Coordinate operational resilience planning including business continuity and outsourcing frameworks.
• Maintain awareness of emerging/regulatory risks and advise the Board accordingly.
• Ensure internal control environment remains effective and aligned with risk appetite.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in risk management, finance, economics, or related discipline

Postgraduate qualifications such as MBA, MA, or MSc

Professional certifications (IRMs, PRM, FRM)

Job description

As part of Paycom Europe Limited’s continued growth and international expansion, the Head of Risk (PCF-14) is responsible for leading and managing the firm’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework. This role is central to protecting the integrity and sustainability of the business by ensuring risks are effectively identified, assessed, monitored, and mitigated in line with internal risk appetite and Central Bank of Ireland expectations.The role holder plays a key leadership role in fostering a strong risk culture, engaging with the Board, regulators, and senior stakeholders, and supporting the firm’s long-term resilience, governance, and regulatory alignment.RESPONSIBILITIESLead the development, implementation, and continuous enhancement of the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework for Paycom Europe Limited.Maintain and update the Risk Management Policy, Risk Register, Risk Appetite Statement, and associated governance documentation.Oversee and execute a comprehensive risk monitoring and testing programme aligned with CBI expectations.Conduct regular risk reviews to identify, evaluate, and mitigate key risks across operational, strategic, financial, IT/cyber, and third-party domains.Deliver timely and insightful risk reporting to senior management, the Board of Directors, and relevant risk or audit committees.Provide clear guidance on the company’s risk posture and support strategic decision-making through robust risk challenges.Engage and collaborate with stakeholders across Compliance, Finance, Legal, Operations, IT, and Product to embed risk awareness and controls into business operations.Support regulatory engagement with the Central Bank of Ireland, including participation in thematic reviews, PRISM engagements, and day-to-day supervisory interactions.Coordinate operational resilience planning, including input to business continuity, outsourcing, and wind-down frameworks.Maintain awareness of emerging risks, industry trends, and regulatory developments, and advise the Board and Executive team accordingly.Ensure that the Company’s internal control environment remains effective and appropriately aligned with risk appetite.Education/Certification:Bachelor’s degree in risk management, finance, economics, or related discipline (or equivalent experience)Professional certifications preferred (e.g. IRM, PRM, FRM).Postgraduate qualifications such as MBA, MA, or MSc in a related field are desirable.Experience:Previous or current experience in a PCF–14 role holder position within a payment services organization is strongly preferred.Minimum 7+ years’ experience in enterprise or operational risk management, ideally within a regulated financial services or payments firm.Strong familiarity with Central Bank of Ireland regulatory expectations, including PRISM and cross-sectoral guidelines.Experience managing regulatory inspections, thematic reviews, and PCF accountability obligations.Proven ability to build and embed risk frameworks, registers, and governance documentation in a start-up or scale-up environment.SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:Strong expertise in enterprise and operational risk management, with a deep understanding of regulatory risk frameworks including PRISM, the CBI’s Risk Appetite Statement guidance, and the Three Lines of Defense model.Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and continuously enhance an Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Framework aligned to a regulated firm’s strategic objectives and proportional to its size and complexity.Proven experience developing and maintaining risk registers, risk policies, control frameworks, and risk incident escalation processes in line with Central Bank of Ireland expectations.Strategic thinker with the ability to identify emerging risks (including geographical, third-party, cyber, and conduct risks) and translate them into actionable risk mitigation strategies.Effective communicator with the confidence and skill to present complex risk matters to senior leadership, the Board, and regulatory authorities.Ability to manage competing priorities, influence decision-making, and foster a proactive risk culture.Sound judgement, analytical thinking, and problem-solving capabilities.Demonstrates resilience, adaptability, and a solutions-focused mindset in high-pressure or ambiguous situations.REGULATORY DESIGNATIONThis role is designated as PCF-14 Chief Risk Officer pursuant to the Central Bank Reform Act 2010 and is subject to approval and ongoing supervision by the Central Bank of Ireland. The role holder is required to:Comply at all times with the CBI’s Fitness and Probity Standards, including honesty, integrity, competence, and financial soundness.Demonstrate and maintain the level of skill, experience, and judgement appropriate for a person discharging the responsibilities of a PCF-14.Cooperate fully with the CBI and any internal or external regulatory reviews.Promptly disclose any matters that could impact their ability to meet the Fitness & Probity standards, including conflicts of interest, investigations, or material changes in personal circumstances.Support the Company in maintaining an effective governance, risk management, and internal control framework, and act as a key point of contact for regulatory reporting and inspections relating to risk matters.Paycom is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. Paycom makes employment decisions on the basis of business needs, job requirements, individual qualifications and merit. Paycom wants to have the best available people in every job. Therefore, Paycom does not permit its employees to harass, discriminate or retaliate against other employees or applicants because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, military and veteran status, age, physical or mental disability, genetic characteristic, reproductive health decisions, family or parental status or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable laws. Equal employment opportunity will be extended to all persons in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation benefits, and separation of employment. The Human Resources Department has overall responsibility for this policy and maintains reporting and monitoring procedures. Any questions or concerns should be referred to the Human Resources Department. ****To learn more about Paycom's affirmative action policy, equal employment opportunity, or to request an accommodation - Click on the link to find more information: paycom.com/careers/eeoc