Head of Risk Framework
Apex Group · London
The Apex Group was established in Bermuda in 2003 and is now one of the world’s largest fund administration and middle office solutions providers.
Our business is unique in its ability to reach globally, service locally and provide cross-jurisdictional services. With our clients at the heart of everything we do, our hard-working team has successfully delivered on an unprecedented growth and transformation journey, and we are now represented by over circa 13,000 employees across 112 offices worldwide.Your career with us should reflect your energy and passion.
That’s why, at Apex Group, we will do more than simply ‘empower’ you. We will work to supercharge your unique skills and experience.
Take the lead and we’ll give you the support you need to be at the top of your game. And we offer you the freedom to be a positive disrupter and turn big ideas into bold, industry-changing realities.
For our business, for clients, and for you
Head of Risk Framework
Corporate Title: Director
Location: London, Dublin, Jersey, Malta, Spain, Portugal, Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Cape Town
Reporting to: Chief Risk Officer
About the Role
The Head of Risk Framework is responsible for designing, strengthening, maintaining and overseeing the Group's risk management framework, including the Risk Management Policy and the supporting tools, techniques and documents required for a proportionate, scalable and effective approach to risk management. The role ensures the framework remains aligned to Apex's strategy, risk appetite and regulatory obligations, and supports consistent risk identification, assessment, monitoring, escalation and reporting across the Group.
The role provides senior leadership across risk framework development, risk taxonomy, classification, risk appetite, risk assessment, incident management, key risk indicators, policy governance, product risk assessment and the Group Risk and Control Profile. It works closely with executive management, regional and functional Risk teams, Compliance, Legal, Internal Audit and first-line risk owners to embed the Three Lines of Defence model and strengthen risk capability and culture.
Accountabilities & Key Responsibilities
- Design, strengthen, maintain and oversee the Group Risk Management Framework, including the Risk Management Policy and supporting standards, tools, techniques and guidance.
- Maintain the Group risk taxonomy, impact and likelihood classification matrix, risk appetite methodology, risk assessment approach, interconnected risk mapping and key risk indicator standards.
- Facilitate the Group-level business risk assessment and oversee day-to-day maintenance of the Group Risk and Control Profile, including monitoring and escalation of material trigger events or issues.
- Provide support, challenge and oversight for local and functional business risk assessments to promote consistent application of Group standards.
- Support the Chief Risk Officer in escalating and communicating priority risk matters to executive management, the Group Audit & Risk Committee and the Group Board.
- Design, maintain and oversee the Group Business Continuity Management and crisis management frameworks.
- Own the Group Policy Framework and work with policy owners to ensure minimum standards, governance, review discipline and lifecycle requirements are met.
- Provide senior sponsorship and oversight for risk technology and data initiatives, including integration of the Risk Management Framework into Riskonnect and related workflows.
- Ensure risk systems and reporting capabilities support links between risks, controls, incidents, findings, actions and changes in risk profile over time.
- Lead, develop and allocate priorities across the Risk Framework team, supporting succession, capability development and effective delivery.
- Promote a strong risk culture and support Learning and Development in maintaining effective risk training and awareness materials.
- Lead the development and implementation of scenario/stress testing exercises and reports.
- Lead major incident response. Maintain and develop incident management response protocols
- Support the Chief Risk Officer including risk reporting at board level
Skills & Experience
- Significant senior-level experience in enterprise risk management within a regulated financial services environment.
- Strong knowledge of enterprise risk frameworks, risk appetite, risk assessment, controls, incident management, business continuity and policy governance.
- Experience operating in a global, multi-jurisdictional and complex organisation.
- Demonstrable experience designing, implementing and embedding risk management frameworks and methodologies.
- Experience leading risk transformation, GRC platform implementation or material risk technology change.
- Strong judgement and the ability to provide independent oversight, constructive challenge and clear escalation as part of the Second Line of Defence.
- Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills, including experience with executive and Board-level governance forums.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving and organisational skills, with the ability to translate complex risk matters into practical actions and decision-useful information.
- Proven leadership and people-management capability, including developing technical specialists and delivering through cross-functional teams.
- Professional risk qualification, such as IRM, FRM, PRM or equivalent, is advantageous.
- Experience in fund administration, fiduciary, corporate services, asset servicing or a comparable regulated financial services environment is advantageous.
Why Join Us
- Lead the continued development of the Group's enterprise-wide approach to risk management.
- Work closely with the Chief Risk Officer, senior executives and governance committees on the Group's most material risk priorities.
- Shape the use of risk technology, data and reporting across a growing international business.
- Lead a specialist team and influence how risk management supports strategy, growth and better decision-making across Apex.
Disclaimer: Unsolicited CVs sent to Apex (Talent Acquisition Team or Hiring Managers) by recruitment agencies will not be accepted for this position. Apex operates a direct sourcing model and where agency assistance is required, the Talent Acquisition team will engage directly with our exclusive recruitment partners.