Operational Risk Lead - Chicago or New York

Simmons & Hanbury; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A global financial services firm is seeking an Operational Risk Lead to manage operational risk in Chicago or New York. The role requires over 6 years of experience in operational risk and strong analytical skills to assess risks and controls. This position offers growth opportunities and requires collaboration with senior stakeholders to enhance the operational risk framework within a fast-paced environment. Competitive salary package includes a range of $150,000 - $200,000 per year.

Qualifications

• 6+ years’ experience in Operational Risk or related areas within Financial Services.
• Strong understanding of risk frameworks (Basel, COSO, ERM).
• Experience in a regulated environment with US regulatory exposure.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary contact for Operational Risk in North America.
• Facilitate Risk & Control Self-Assessments (RCSAs) and identify key risks.
• Provide risk reporting, dashboards, and metrics to senior management.

Skills

Operational Risk

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Governance

Control assessment

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

GRC tools

Power BI

Job description

Operational Risk Lead - Chicago or New York

This range is provided by Simmons & Hanbury. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$150,000.00/yr - $200,000.00/yr

A global financial services firm with a significant presence across capital markets, commodities and trading infrastructure is seeking an Operational Risk Manager to support its North American Business. The role can be based in Chicago or New York.

This is a high-impact role within a well-established risk function, offering exposure across front-office, operations, technology and control functions. The successful candidate will play a key role in strengthening the operational risk framework, enhancing risk culture, and partnering closely with senior stakeholders across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the primary regional contact for Operational Risk matters in North America
• Facilitate Risk & Control Self-Assessments (RCSAs), identifying key risks, control gaps and remediation actions
• Develop and maintain risk registers, end-to-end process maps and control inventories
• Perform control design and effectiveness reviews, providing challenge to the business where required
• Lead risk event and loss management, including root cause analysis and lessons-learned reviews
• Prepare and present risk reporting, dashboards and metrics to senior management and governance forums
• Identify and analyse operational risk trends using internal and external data
• Promote a strong risk-aware culture, partnering with first, second and third line functions
• Support regulatory compliance across relevant US regulatory bodies (e.g. SEC, FINRA, CFTC, NFA)

Candidate Profile

• 6+ years’ experience in Operational Risk, Enterprise Risk, Governance, Controls or Assurance within Financial Services
• Strong understanding of risk frameworks (Basel, COSO, ERM, RCSA methodologies)
• Experience operating in a regulated environment with exposure to US regulatory standards
• Confident engaging with senior stakeholders and challenging risk and control decisions
• Strong analytical, reporting and communication skills
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills; experience with GRC tools and Power BI advantageous

This is a truly excellent opportunity to be part of a rapidly growing, global financial services firm that has exceptional career progression potential.

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Other