Risk Officer

Hancock Whitney; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Hancock Whitney is seeking an experienced risk management professional to lead the development and execution of the operational risk framework across the bank. The role partners with executive management to identify process improvements, oversee risk events, and ensure regulatory alignment.

Responsibilities include governance committees, risk strategy development, and training to promote a strong risk culture while managing cross-functional projects and regulatory expectations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Finance, Business, Risk Management, or related field preferred.
• 5 years of progressive experience in enterprise risk, operational risk, internal audit, compliance, or related roles in financial services required.
• Professional certifications (CRCM, FRM, CRM, CAMS, CRISC, CIA, CISA) strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of enterprise risk frameworks, regulatory expectations, and core bank operations.
• Strong analytical, reporting, and communication skills with ability to synthesize complex information for diverse audiences.
• Proficiency with GRC platforms, data visualization, and risk analytics tools.

Responsibilities

• Partner with senior and executive management to provide support and guidance on operational risk programs and requirements; analyze opportunities for process improvement and recommend solutions; use risk-based analysis.
• Consult on risk management principles for emerging risks, strategic projects and initiatives.
• Provide direct oversight of operational risk related matters for multiple lines of business; oversee risk events, losses, KPIs/KRIs, and audit findings.
• Facilitate committees/forums/working groups; coordinate materials and presentations for board meetings.
• Assist in the development of operational risk strategy, goals, methodology, policy, procedures and process.
• Establish cross-functional partnerships to ensure consistent application of risk program requirements.
• Build a strong operational risk culture through training and communication strategies.
• Provide project management support for high-risk LOB projects.
• Participate in applicable committees to share knowledge with management.
• Stay abreast of regulatory guidelines applicable to these functions.

Skills

Analytical skills

Reporting skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

GRC platforms

Data visualization

Risk analytics tools

Job description

JOB FUNCTION / SUMMARY

Risk Officers are responsible for developing and executing the operational risk management framework in alignment with program requirements, regulatory guidance, industry best practices, and the Bank's strategic goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Partner with senior and executive management to provide support and guidance on all operational risk programs and requirements; analyze opportunities for process improvement and recommend solutions; use risk-based analysis and experience in responding to inquiries of high risk and complexity;
• Consult on risk management principles for emerging risks, strategic projects and initiatives.
• Provide direct oversight of operational risk related matters for multiple operational risk lines of business/business units specifically related to risk & control self-assessments performance, significant operational risk events, operational losses, risk metrics (KPIs/KRIs), issues (audit, exam, compliance, and findings), and new activities. Ensure alignment with the Company's strategic risk appetite and regulatory expectations and elevate deviations and remediation plans to senior/executive management accordingly.
• Facilitate committees/forums/working groups on behalf of the Operational Risk Management function to strengthen the Company's operational risk posture. Help facilitate and coordinate board and management committee materials, and presentations for committee, and board meetings.
• Assist in the development of operational risk strategy, goals, methodology, policy, procedures and process.
• Establish strategic cross-functional partnerships with various business lines and risk functions to ensure strong communication and a consistent application of operational risk management program requirements across the Company.
• Build and promote a strong operational risk culture by developing training, awareness campaigns, and communication strategies across the Bank.
• Provide project management support for LOB projects which have significant risk.
• Participate in all applicable committees as assigned as a member and/or participant to ensure knowledge related to these activities is communicated to all levels of management.
• Stay abreast of and remain in compliance with all applicable regulatory guidelines that apply to these functions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Finance, Business, Risk Management, or related field preferred
• 5 years of progressive experience in enterprise risk, operational risk, internal audit, compliance, or related roles in financial services required
• Professional certifications (CRCM, FRM, CRM, CAMS, CRISC, CIA, CISA) strongly preferred
• Strong understanding of enterprise risk frameworks, regulatory expectations, and core bank operations
• Strong analytical, reporting, and communication skills with ability to synthesize complex information for diverse audiences
• Proficiency with GRC platforms, data visualization, and risk analytics tools

ESSENTIAL MENTAL & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to travel if required to perform the essential job functions
• Ability to work under stress and meet deadlines
• Ability to operate related equipment to perform the essential job functions
• Ability to read and interpret a document if required to perform the essential job functions
• Ability to lift/move/carry approximately 10 pounds if required to perform the essential job functions. If the employee is unable to lift/move/carry this weight and can be accommodated without causing the department/division an "undue hardship" then the employee must be accommodated; hence omitting lifting/moving/carrying as a physical requirement.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious beliefs, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, physical or mental disability or history of disability, genetic information, status as a protected veteran, disabled veteran, or other protected characteristics as required by federal, state and local laws.