Head of Financial & Model Risk Management

Job Description

About us

ClearBank was built on the belief that banking infrastructure would no longer slow down progress. Instead, it’s the catalyst that unlocks the potential to innovate. That’s why our clients — financial institutions from fintech’s and crypto platforms, to banks and credit unions — use our API to power their banking infrastructure.

But we wouldn’t be ClearBank without our people. They’re what powers our innovative technology and the reason we love what we do every day. We’re a group of spirited people who are never afraid to challenge the norm – becoming stronger, more energised, and that much better when we’re together. It’s our belief in fairness, autonomy and choice that means our people are empowered with the tools to learn, grow, and contribute to ours and our clients’ success. Interested in joining us? Read on or visit our website for more information.

About you

You’ll be joining the group risk team as Head of Financial and Model Risk providing leadership and support to the Chief Risk Officer (CRO), UK Chief Risk & Compliance Officer, EU Chief Risk Officer and risk colleagues within ClearBank’s Group on matters relating to all aspects of financial risk, including capital, liquidity, market, interest rate, credit and model risk. This includes being responsible for ensuring that we have the appropriate enterprise frameworks, policies, procedures and processes in place to understand and effectively manage financial and model risks for our business model, providing both strategic and tactical input in our approach and management of these types of risk, working closely with senior leaders across the business including the ExCo and being an active member of various committees. This role will also be the primary liaison point for colleagues within ClearBank and our partners as it relates to these risk types.

In this 2nd Line risk leadership role, you will be ‘hands-on’ and extensively experienced in engaging senior stakeholders and can strategically prioritise and deliver in a fast-paced environment. You will also be committed to delivering excellent interactions.

You’ll have experience and knowledge of financial and model risk management in a banking/fintech context with direct understanding of regulatory expectations and best practices across the relevant risk types. You’ll understand both the theory and practical application across financial and model risk management and be able to leverage previous experience to support understanding issues and solving them in collaboration with others.

You’ll be comfortable working at a fast pace, being highly responsive to changing demands within the company and delivering on time with quality. You’ll learn new things as we continue to innovate, work in close collaboration and partnership with a wide variety of stakeholders to bring innovative ideas to fruition, solve problems quickly and effectively, while ensuring our risk management capabilities remain proportionate and fit for purpose. You must be able to think strategically and tactically, prioritise effectively, influence with ease, communicate with impact and confidence.

You’ll have a record of accomplishment within financial services of operating at all levels of the company, advising on financial and model risks and driving improvements to risk management within the risk function. You’ll be an experienced influencer, able to navigate through organisational complexity to deliver outcomes in the right way both directly yourself and through collaboration with others. You will want to and be driven to contribute to ClearBank beyond the remit of your role, bringing passion, enthusiasm, and commitment to everything you do.

And you’ll be joining one of the fastest-growing tech company in the UK, according to Deloitte Fast 50.

Requirements

You will be

• Defining the strategy and roadmap for the financial and model risk teams, aligning to regulatory expectations, the overall risk function and Group wide objectives
• Providing senior direction and guidance in the development, implementation, and communication of financial and model risk-related policies and standards
• Ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, relating to financial and model risk management, including guidance, industry practices and expectations
• Building and maintaining deep relationships with 1st line leadership teams and collaborating with them to gain a good understanding of the risk profile and current state, to be able to articulate and assess the associated risks both for today and on a forward-looking basis
• Working closely with the CRO and local CRO/CRCOs to provide specialist support and technical input as needed by them
• Providing effective oversight and challenge across financial and model risks enabling business growth while maintaining related risks within appetite
• Taking the lead in the risk function on ICAAP, ILAAP and other key processes within financial risk
• Work in collaboration with the CRO, UK CRCO, CFOs and CEOs on regulatory engagement as it relates to financial risk management on supervisory reviews, provision of information and ad hoc meetings
• Presenting at and attending committee meetings including ALCO, Enterprise Risk Management Committee and Board Risk Committee, and coordinating the Model Risk Oversight Committee
• Overseeing controls and associated testing relating to financial and model risks, assessing key controls and providing feedback to the respective functional leadership
• Pro-actively driving end-to-end risk remediation planning, resolution, and monitoring activities
• Driving and monitoring financial and model related Risk Control Self-Assessments
• Working closely with the relevant stakeholders and on behalf of the risk function to solve issues or challenges relating to financial and model risk management, driving outcomes, actions, and engagement in a timely and effective manner
• Working closely on behalf of the risk function on the product/service roadmap with the relevant teams as it relates to products with financial risk exposure
• Delivering on the production of management information and reporting for ExCo and Board level committees and where required, regulatory presentations

What we are looking for

• Extensive 2nd line experience in financial risk management, ideally across all areas of financial risk management but particularly capital, liquidity, credit, and market risk, preferably in a banking/ fintech environment
• Proven record of accomplishment in building and enhancing risk frameworks
• Experience of interacting with the regulator on key financial risk processes, including ICAAP and ILAAP
• Deep knowledge in emerging risk topics such as model risk, artificial intelligence systems risk, and digital assets is desirable
• Experience in holding leadership roles and working closely with other senior leaders, executives and in committees, in a fast moving and constantly changing environment, with an ability to set direction, motivate others to align to that direction and unblock issues as they arise
• Full understanding of the 3 lines model and how this is implemented, how to assess its maturity and drive evolution as required
• Highly developed interpersonal skills and the ability to develop effective and trustworthy working relationships with senior stakeholders across the business
• Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively both verbally and in writing, including translating the complex into the simple and communicating tough decisions, across all levels of the organisation, including at ExCo and Board level
• Excellent problem solving and self-management skills to solve technical problems tactically and analytically
• Excellent prioritisation skills, with an ability to move between competing priorities concurrently, which can include differing complex topics
• Excellent influencing and stakeholder management capabilities with a proven record of accomplishment of achieving results across all levels of the organisation
• Delivery/execution orientated in a fast paced, dynamic environment with a proactive, efficient, and collaborative approach
• Ability to make pragmatic and commercial decisions supported by a thorough understanding of organisational risk appetite

Benefits

About what we offer

• At ClearBank we have a flexible working philosophy, empowering our employees to manage their time in a way which allows them to meet both work and personal commitments, in partnership with their line manager
• Spacious and well-equipped new offices in London
• 27 days annual leave per year, plus flexible bank holidays
• The option to work outside of the UK for up to 30 days per year
• Regular company-wide socials
• Take a couple of days per year to volunteer with your chosen charity to do something bigger than ClearBank
• Private healthcare and discounted dental cover, with employee healthy living perks and discounts
• Enhanced family-friendly leave
• Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to join an innovative team that’s building a bank fit for the future! 🚀

ClearBank is committed to ensuring equal opportunities throughout every stage of the recruitment process. ClearBank recognises that diversity is vital to the long-term success of the business in the communities and markets in which it operates. ClearBank is also a firm believer that an inclusive culture fosters greater employee engagement and collaboration.

ClearBank strives for diversity and inclusion of all forms, including (but not limited to): gender, age, educational and professional background, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief and sexual orientation.

As part of the Company’s commitment to equal employment opportunity, we provide reasonable adjustments, to candidates during the recruitment process, including to individuals with disabilities. We want to create a safe space that welcomes everyone so please let us know how we can accommodate you. In case you have any accessibility requirements you can share that with our Talent Acquisition team prior to your interview stage, if applicable.

The legal bit

By submitting your CV, you confirm that you can demonstrate you have the right to work in the UK. Regretfully we are not in a position to sponsor applicants for immigration purposes at the current time. By submitting your CV to ClearBank Limited you are providing your consent for us to use the information you provide for recruitment purposes. For more information on how we manage your data go and check out our Candidate Privacy Notice on the ClearBank website to see how we process, manage and look after your data. You are also allowing us to communicate with you by email and telephone for recruitment purposes