Commodities Risk and Controls Lead

Selby Jennings; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 162,000 - 198,000; Full time

Job summary

Selby Jennings seeks a Commodities Risk and Controls Lead to partner with trading, operations, and technology teams to strengthen risk governance across energy markets. You will lead risk assessments, implement control improvements, and drive remediation in a fast-paced trading environment.

The role requires 8+ years in risk, controls, governance, or related functions, with strong communication and stakeholder management skills; energy/commercial trading exposure is highly valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• 8+ years in risk, controls, governance, or related functions.
• Experience in financial markets, energy trading, or regulated environments.
• Strong understanding of governance frameworks and control design.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder influence.

Responsibilities

• Lead assessments of operational, process, and conduct-related risks across trading activities.
• Partner with trading, operations, technology, compliance, and risk teams to enhance the control environment.
• Identify risks and develop practical mitigation strategies.
• Review new products, trading activities, and platform onboarding for governance and controls.
• Perform risk assessments and evaluate control framework effectiveness.
• Lead investigations, root-cause analysis, and remediation tracking.
• Facilitate governance forums and executive discussions.
• Prepare management reporting and dashboards for leadership.
• Support audits, regulatory reviews, and assurance activities.
• Drive process improvements to strengthen operations and reduce risk.
• Build relationships with business leaders as trusted risk advisor.

Skills

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Problem solving

Governance knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

Commodities Risk and Controls Lead (PR/613332) Houston, Texas

Salary: USD0 - USD180000 per year

A leading global financial institution is seeking an experienced controls and governance professional to partner with a growing commodities trading business. This individual will work closely with trading, operational, technology, and support teams to strengthen risk management practices, drive process improvements, and ensure key business activities are conducted within a well-governed framework.

This position offers the opportunity to influence trading operations, support business expansion initiatives, and contribute to the development of a strong control environment across energy and commodity markets.

Responsibilities

• Lead assessments of operational, process, and conduct-related risks across trading activities.
• Partner with trading, operations, technology, compliance, and risk teams to enhance the control environment across business activities.
• Identify operational and conduct risks and develop practical mitigation strategies.
• Review new products, trading activities, platform onboarding initiatives, and business changes to ensure appropriate governance and controls are in place.
• Perform risk assessments and evaluate the effectiveness of existing control frameworks.
• Lead issue investigations, root cause analysis, remediation planning, and closure tracking.
• Facilitate governance forums, committee meetings, and executive-level discussions.
• Prepare management reporting, dashboards, and presentations for senior leadership.
• Support audits, regulatory reviews, control testing, and assurance activities.
• Drive process improvement initiatives designed to strengthen operational effectiveness and reduce risk.
• Build strong working relationships with business leaders and serve as a trusted advisor on risk and control matters.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 8+ years of experience within Risk Management, Controls, Internal Audit, Compliance, Governance, Business Management, or a related function.
• Experience supporting financial markets, capital markets, trading businesses, energy trading, commodities, or other regulated environments preferred.
• Strong understanding of operational risk, governance frameworks, control design, and issue management.
• Experience conducting risk assessments, control evaluations, and root cause analysis.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders across business and support functions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Professional certifications such as CPA, CIA, CFA, FRM, PRM, or CRMA are preferred.
• Prior exposure to trading environments, market regulations, or front-office support functions is highly desirable.