Job: Chief Risk Officer

Location: Riyadh - KSA

Industry: Banking

 

Job Objective: To provide administrative and executive oversight of risk activities for the bank's branches in Saudi Arabia. This includes implementing plans aligned with the Risk Sector – HQ, ensuring compliance with applicable local and international laws, 
regulations, and standards, and aligning with the bank’s approved policies and procedures. The role aims to maintain the soundness of the financial position within acceptable risk levels and protect the bank from financial or reputational losses resulting from non-compliance.

 

Key Responsibilities:

1. Develop the strategic risk management plan for the KSA branches in coordination with the Risk Sector – HQ and the CEO – KSA Branches. Define employee objectives based on the approved annual plan and supervise the department’s staff and operations to ensure efficiency and accuracy. Evaluate and develop employees to improve service quality.
2. Review, develop, and update policies at the KSA branch level in alignment with the Risk Sector – HQ and the CEO – KSA Branches. Ensure these policies are reflected in departmental procedures and comply with regulatory and international standards.
3. Ensure adherence to investment and market risk policies, bank risk appetite, and tolerance limits. Periodically review market risk policies (market risk, liquidity risk, and liquidity contingency plans) for compliance and effectiveness.
4. Supervise risk measurement through Sensitivity Analysis by creating multiple scenarios using historical data to assess investment volatility.
5. Ensure calculation of Value at Risk (VaR) for bonds to assess acceptable risk exposure within a defined confidence level and period.
6. Apply best practices for measuring and monitoring market, liquidity, and interest rate risks using advanced methodologies (e.g., EAR, EVE, DV01, Gap Analysis, Early Warning Indicators, Duration, Backtesting, Limit Monitoring, Scenario Analysis, Stress Testing). Provide recommendations and highlight exceptions related to market and liquidity risks.
7. Monitor the credit portfolio and ensure controls are in place using early warning signals and stress testing to maintain risk ratios within acceptable limits.
8. Oversee credit portfolio concentration analysis to ensure compliance with regulatory and internal risk limits.
9. Coordinate directly with HQ Risk Management to fulfill IFRS 9 expected credit loss calculations for the branch.
10. Evaluate and confirm market, liquidity, and interest rate risk limits in light of market conditions and business strategies, ensuring their adequacy relative to the bank’s operations.
11. Conduct Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (ICAAP) in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
12. Monitor investment portfolios in money and capital markets. Prepare risk profile reports and compare them against the bank’s risk appetite. Highlight negative deviations and ensure corrective actions in coordination with relevant departments.
13. Validate investment instruments using mark-to-market or mark-to-model approaches.
14. Monitor quantitative and qualitative early warning indicators related to market and liquidity risks as outlined in the emergency funding plan. Submit regulatory reports regularly.
15. Monitor interest rate risks and analyze repricing gaps in line with regulatory and internal limits.
16. Monitor liquidity risk ceilings as defined in the liquidity policy and contingency plan, ensuring corrective actions when needed.
17. Ensure no breaches in investment ceilings in the money and capital markets. Report violations to senior management and the Risk Committee and coordinate with the Treasury to implement corrective measures.
18. Supervise periodic information security reports and review system activity evaluations. Submit security incident reports to the Information Security & Protection Department – HQ.
19. Supervise the preparation of regular reports measuring market risk factors (interest rate, equity, foreign exchange risks). These include FX ceilings monitoring, liquidity indicators, bond investments, interbank exposure ceilings, and foreign branch investment ceilings. Submit exposure and compliance reports to senior management.
20. Oversee the testing and assessment of security procedures and controls. Participate in setting security responsibilities and follow up with external information security consultants.
21. Evaluate the adequacy of cybersecurity risk controls and approve exceptions, considering the bank’s risk appetite and regulatory guidelines.
22. Oversee the preparation, update, and implementation of information security policies, emergency plans, business continuity, disaster recovery, and data restoration plans.
23. Supervise the preparation of periodic information security reports. Review and assess IT system activity and report security events to the Information Security & Protection Department – HQ.
24. Provide the Risk Sector – HQ with a comprehensive overview of material risks facing the KSA branches.
25. Serve as the main point of contact between HQ, KSA branches, and the Saudi Central Bank for regulatory matters as authorized.
26. Coordinate with bank departments and units to gather, review, and validate information before submission to the Saudi Central Bank.
27. Establish a regulatory reporting database that includes required reports, frequencies (monthly, quarterly, annually), and responsible departments, to ensure timely and accurate reporting in coordination with HQ.

 

Qualifications & Competencies:

- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or a related field.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in risk management, including 5 years in market/treasury risk.
- Holds relevant professional certification in compliance with SAMA requirements.
- Planning and organizational skills.
- Proficient in English (written and spoken).
- Leadership and administrative skills.
- Strong knowledge of internal/external regulations.
- Familiarity with SAMA frameworks.
- In-depth understanding of banking operations and associated risks.
- Knowledge of bank products and services.
- Proficiency in using computer systems and applications.
- Decision-making and analytical abilities.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills.
- Ability to work under pressure.