Director - Head of Operational Risk Americas

Job Description

Purpose of the role

To provide independent review and challenge of the Operational Risk elements of particular risk categories across the bank. Ensuring they are carried out in accordance with Barclays Operational Risk Framework, Policies, and Standards

Accountabilities

• Risk identification and proactive risk management, identifying interconnected, horizon and emerging risks to assist the business in understanding, managing and mitigating the right risks in line with their business strategy and objectives.
• Analysis of operational risk data to identify trends, patterns, and emerging risks.
• Risk-based analysis of business processes, systems, and controls to assess the likelihood and impact of identified risks.
• Ongoing research and monitoring of internal and external sources to identify potential Operational Risks.
• Oversight, review and challenge of 1st Line activities including - Risk Control Self Assessments (RCSAs), Risk Events, Issues and attendance at key Risk and Control meetings (with associated reporting) ensuring they accurately reflect the business risk position,.
• Stakeholder management, engaging and working effectively with First and Second Line management.
• Risk based 2nd Line input into 1st Line Projects, Initiatives and Strategic decision making.

Director Expectations

• To manage a business function, providing significant input to function wide strategic initiatives. Contribute to and influence policy and procedures for the function and plan, manage and consult on multiple complex and critical strategic projects, which may be business wide..
• They manage the direction of a large team or sub-function, leading other people managers and embedding a performance culture aligned to the values of the business. Or for an individual contributor, they lead organisation wide projects and act as deep technical expert and thought leader, identifying new ways of working and collaborating cross functionally. They will train, guide and coach less experienced specialists and provide information affecting long term profits, organisational risks and strategic decisions..
• Provide expert advice to senior functional management and committees to influence decisions made outside of own function, offering significant input to function wide strategic initiatives.
• Manage, coordinate and enable resourcing, budgeting and policy creation for a significant sub-function.
• Escalates breaches of policies / procedure appropriately.
• Foster and guide compliance, ensure regulations are observed that relevant processes in place to facilitate adherence.
• Focus on the external environment, regulators, or advocacy groups to both monitor and influence on behalf of Barclays, when appropriate.
• Demonstrate extensive knowledge of how the function integrates with the business division / Group to achieve the overall business objectives.
• Maintain broad and comprehensive knowledge of industry theories and practices within own discipline alongside up-to-date relevant sector / functional knowledge, and insight into external market developments / initiatives.
• Use interpretative thinking and advanced analytical skills to solve problems and design solutions in often complex/ sensitive situations.
• Exercise management authority to make significant decisions and certain strategic decisions or recommendations within own area.
• Negotiate with and influence stakeholders at a senior level both internally and externally.
• Act as principal contact point for key clients and counterparts in other functions/ businesses divisions.
• Mandated as a spokesperson for the function and business division.

All Senior Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviours to create an environment for colleagues to thrive and deliver to a consistently excellent standard. The four LEAD behaviours are: L - Listen and be authentic, E - Energise and inspire, A - Align across the enterprise, D - Develop others.

All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship - our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right. They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset - to Empower, Challenge and Drive - the operating manual for how we behave.

Role Specific Responsibilities:

• Lead oversight of the Americas operational risk portfolio, providing an integrated view of the region's risk profile and emerging risk themes.
• Drive the development and implementation of IHC-specific operational risk appetite, key risk indicators (KRIs), and risk guardrails.
• Partner across legal entities, businesses, and risk disciplines to influence risk outcomes and deliver a consistent risk management approach.
• Analyze and synthesize operational risk insights across the region to identify trends, challenge risk assumptions, and inform senior management decision-making.
• Represent the Head of Operational Risk Americas at senior governance forums and risk committees, providing effective challenge and credible risk leadership as required.

Expected experience:

• Extensive experience in Operational Risk Management or Enterprise Risk within a large, complex financial services organization, with a strong understanding of non-financial risk frameworks and governance.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement risk appetite frameworks, key risk indicators (KRIs), metrics, and management information, translating risk data into actionable insights for senior stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of operational risk exposures across businesses, legal entities, and risk categories, with the ability to synthesize multiple risk perspectives into a clear and cohesive regional risk view.
• Proven track record of influencing senior stakeholders across geographies, business lines, and functional disciplines, operating effectively in a highly matrixed and global environment.
• Experience engaging with senior governance forums, risk committees, regulators, and executive management, with the credibility and presence to represent the function at the most senior levels.
• Strong leadership and relationship management capabilities, with the ability to drive outcomes through collaboration and influence rather than direct authority.