Director of Enterprise Risk Management

simmonsbank; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Simmons Bank seeks an experienced executive to lead the Enterprise Risk Management program, designing and maintaining a framework that identifies, assesses, monitors, and reports enterprise risks aligned to the risk appetite. You will mentor the risk team and partner with business and risk leaders to drive risk-informed decisions bank-wide.

This role requires strategic governance, clear communication, and the ability to present complex risk insights to the executive team and Board.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree required with strong leadership experience in risk management.
• Eight+ years in banking/financial services, including senior roles.
• Five+ years leading enterprise risk management activities and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Directs creation and ongoing improvement of ERM policies, standards, and governance documents.
• Oversees processes for identifying, analyzing, and aggregating material risks and risk appetite.
• Monitors risk profile, KRIs, and reporting to executives and the Board.
• Designs risk communication and training strategies to promote risk awareness.
• Leads adoption and optimization of GRC tools and data quality standards.
• Partner with risk owners to drive risk-informed decision making

Skills

Risk governance

Executive communication

Policy writing

Stakeholder mgmt

Education

Advanced degree in related field

Eight+ years in banking/financial services

Five+ years direct ERM leadership

ERM subject matter expert

Tools

GRC platforms

Microsoft Office

Job description

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing!

We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business.

Position Summary

Responsible for the development and execution of the Enterprise Risk Management Framework to enable the Bank to identify, assess, monitor, and report enterprise-wide risks within the approved risk appetite. Leads and mentors risk management team members in the execution of enterprise risk programs, partners with business and risk leaders to support risk-informed decision-making, and supports alignment with enterprise strategy. Responsible for supporting the ongoing maintenance of the Risk Appetite Statement, aggregating and presenting comprehensive enterprise risk insights to executive and board-level stakeholders, and driving continuous improvement of enterprise risk management practices across the organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Directs the creation, review, and continuous improvement of Enterprise Risk Management policies, standards, frameworks, risk taxonomy, risk appetite, and related governance documents across the organization.
• Establishes and oversees enterprise-wide processes for identifying, assessing, prioritizing, and aggregating material risks, including strategic and emerging risks, risk assessments, and risk appetite monitoring.
• Oversees enterprise risk response and mitigation monitoring processes. Partners with risk owners and subject matter experts to evaluate risk response strategies, monitor action plans, and escape material exposures or risk acceptance decisions through established governance channels.
• Monitors, analyzes, aggregates, and reports the Bank's enterprise risk profile, risk appetite performance, key risk indicators, strategic and emerging risks, and significant changes in exposure to executive management and the Board, providing actionable insights and recommendations.
• Designs and executes enterprise risk management communication and training strategies. Promotes consistent understanding of risk appetite, risk ownership, escalation expectations, and enterprise-wide risk management practices.
• Builds consensus among senior leadership and cross-functional partners; drives enterprise-wide risk initiatives through influence and strategic partnerships and serves as a trusted advisor on enterprise risk matters.
• Selects, implements, and optimizes GRC systems to support enterprise risk taxonomy, risk assessments, risk appetite, KRIs, issues, reporting, and governance; leads tool adoption, integration, and data quality standards.
• Designs and delivers enterprise risk presentations to executive leadership, board committees, regulators, and other key stakeholders; communicates complex risk themes clearly and credibly.
• Leads advanced enterprise risk analysis, develops aggregation and reporting methodologies, identifies interdependencies and emerging trends, and translates risk information into strategic insights for leadership.
• Develops departmental documents and activities in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures as applicable to this position, including completion of required compliance training.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required.

Skills

• Deep understanding of governance structures, enterprise risk management practices, and Three Lines of Defense principles within financial institutions.
• Ability to establish a culture of proactive problem-solving, anticipate enterprise risks, evaluate interconnected impacts, and develop practical, forward-looking solutions for complex organizational challenges.
• Strong attention to detail and technical writing skills.
• Demonstrates exceptional written and verbal communication skills at the executive and board level; develops concise, decision-useful risk reports and presentations; and represents the Enterprise Risk Management function in high-stakes internal and external engagements.
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small-group situations to customers, clients, management, the Board of Directors, and other employees throughout the organization.

Education and Experience

• Advanced degree in a related field required.
• Eight or more years of experience in banking or financial services, including significant leadership and strategic responsibilities.
• Five or more years of direct enterprise risk management or related experience, with extensive leadership in risk management functions and cross-functional teams.
• Recognized as a subject matter expert and thought leader in risk management.

Computer Skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience using GRC platforms.

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations

• Risk management certification (e.g., CRMP, FRM, CRM