SVP, Operational Risk (Behavioural Risk Specialist), Risk Management Group

DBS Bank Ltd; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

DBS Bank Ltd is seeking a senior specialist in organisational psychology to strengthen risk culture and conduct across DBS Asia Central and core markets. You will apply behavioural science to diagnose drivers, design interventions and measure change.

You will partner with Lines 1/2, HR and technology, leading surveys, diagnostics and training programs to support sustainable improvement in risk management practices.

Qualifications

• Postgrad degree in organisational psychology or related field.
• 10+ years applying organisational psychology in large organisations; banking preferred.
• Strong knowledge of culture, psychological safety, behaviour change and development.

Responsibilities

• Apply psychology to strengthen risk culture and conduct across the Bank.
• Provide independent Line 2 review and challenge to business lines and HR.
• Develop risk culture surveys, measures and dashboard indicators.
• Design and validate targeted behavioural interventions with stakeholders.
• Build trusted, cross‑functional relationships across DBS and core markets.

Skills

Organisational psychology

Behavioural science

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Interviews

Focus groups

Risk culture

Education

Postgrad in organisational psychology

Job description

Business Function

Risk Management Group – Operational Risk (RMG-OR) develops and maintains the Bank's operational and non financial risk management and internal control frameworks. As a second line function, we provide independent review and challenge to the business and support units to ensure a proper balance between risk and return in decision‑making. RMG also monitors and reports on key risk issues of the Bank and apprises management and risk committee(s) of the overall operational risk profile. RMG-OR also drives the Bank’s Risk Culture and Conduct programme in partnership other control functions. Our commitment to effective risk management is supported by significant investments in our personnel and infrastructure, contributing to the Bank's strong performance.

Business Function

Risk Management Group – Operational Risk (RMG-OR) develops and maintains the Bank's operational and non financial risk management and internal control frameworks. As a second line function, we provide independent review and challenge to the business and support units to ensure a proper balance between risk and return in decision‑making. RMG also monitors and reports on key risk issues of the Bank and apprises management and risk committee(s) of the overall operational risk profile. RMG-OR also drives the Bank’s Risk Culture and Conduct programme in partnership other control functions. Our commitment to effective risk management is supported by significant investments in our personnel and infrastructure, contributing to the Bank's strong performance.

Responsibilities

As a specialist in organisational psychology and behavioural risk within RMG-OR, you will apply behavioural science and organisational psychology to drive and strengthen risk culture and conduct across the Bank. You will provide independent Line 2 expertise, evidence‑based review and challenge, and practical interventions that promote sustainable behavioural changes.

The incumbent will:

• Apply organisational psychology and behavioural science to enhance the Bank’s risk culture frameworks, maturity model, target state and behavioural indicators, aligned with regulatory expectations and DBS PRIDE values.
• Design and conduct behavioural diagnostics, including interviews, focus groups, surveys and risk culture deep dives, to identify behavioural patterns, cultural drivers and underlying causes of risk events.
• Analyse and triangulate quantitative and qualitative data from employee surveys, behavioural driver analyses, misconduct data, incidents and other relevant sources to identify emerging themes and priority areas for action.
• Provide independent review and challenge of behavioural root cause and driver analyses for significant incidents, including thematic reviews, to assess the adequacy of identified drivers and proposed actions.
• Assess and evaluate targeted behavioural interventions with Line 1, HR and other stakeholders, ensuring actions address identified drivers, are practical to implement and support sustainable change.
• Develop and validate risk culture surveys, behavioural measures, scoring methodologies and dashboard indicators; monitor trends and generate insights for senior management and risk committee reporting.
• Design and facilitate behavioural science training for Line 1 and Line 2 risk managers, HR and employees, including instructor‑led programmes, practical case studies and digital learning content.
• Provide subject‑matter expertise for behavioural science tools and technology solutions, including interview‑support tools and risk culture dashboards, covering requirements, testing, piloting and implementation.
• Assess behavioural risks arising from changes in technology and ways of working, including automation bias, over‑reliance on AI and pressure‑driven shortcuts, and recommend proportionate mitigants.
• Build trusted relationships across business, risk, technology and HR teams, translating behavioural evidence into clear recommendations and supporting the operationalisation of risk culture initiatives across Singapore and core markets.

Requirements

• Postgraduate degree in organisational psychology, industrial-organisational psychology, occupational psychology, behavioural science or a closely related discipline; doctoral‑level training or professional accreditation is advantageous.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience applying organisational psychology or behavioural science in large, complex organisations; experience in banking, financial services or another regulated environment is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of organisational culture, psychological safety, behaviour change, organisational development, human factors, employee research and intervention design.
• Demonstrated experience designing and conducting mixed‑method research, including surveys, psychometric or behavioural measures, interviews, focus groups and thematic analysis.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical capabilities, with the ability to triangulate multiple data sources, identify behavioural drivers and translate findings into actionable insights.
• Proven ability to design, implement and evaluate behavioural interventions, capability‑building programmes and learning solutions for diverse employee populations.
• Excellent facilitation, interviewing, report‑writing and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex behavioural concepts clearly to senior management and non‑specialist audiences.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the confidence and professional judgement to provide independent review and challenge across Lines 1 and 2, HR and technology teams.
• Sound understanding of research ethics, confidentiality, data protection and responsible use of employee and behavioural data.
• Self‑driven, collaborative and comfortable working across cultures and markets, with the ability to balance scientific rigour, commercial realities and pragmatic implementation.

Location:

DBS Asia Central

Job:

Risk Management

Schedule:

Regular

Employee Status:

Full time