Technology and Change Risk Specialist

Job Introduction

At Handelsbanken UK, we are at exciting stage of our IT modernisation and Business Transformation journey. The transformation will evolve and enhance technology systems, processes, ways of working, services and channels. Underpinning this will be our unique, decentralised business model, branch focus and customer centric business strategy that allows us to fulfil our customer’s banking needs with a tailored service and a product portfolio that’s right for them. 
 

Risk is the independent risk control function within the Bank and acts as the second line of defence (2LOD) providing independent oversight and control across the Bank’s principle risks i.e. credit, financial and operational risk. 

The Technology and Change Risk Team has responsibility for the operational risk controls covering IT  Risk , Data Risk and Information Security, IT Change, IT Resilience & Recovery, Intra-group risk within the Bank, ensuring a comprehensive and objective view of all risks of the Bank’s Technology department and areas typically shared responsibilities between Business and IT such as Payments, Third Party Risk and   Operational Resilience. Team provides independent management assurance to the UK CEO that the business is identifying and managing those risks adequately across its Banking and Wealth & Asset Management (WAM) business. 

The team work closely with the Operational Risk Team and Enterprise Risk team to ensure the overacrching Operational Risk Management Framework (ORMF) and Risk Manageemnt Framework (RMF) is effective at managing Technology and Change Risks. They are responsible for overseeing, reviewing and (where appropriate) challenging risk assessments/activities. In addition they are also responsible for promoting consistency and best practice in the application of the ORMF and RMF across in teams delivering technology and change. The breadth of the work the team completes across all UK business lines demands a flexible approach from team members to ensure a strong team performance.

The role of Technology and Change Risk Specialist supports in setting up foundations for a robust second line of defence function.You will have demonstrable experience of working directly with Technology leadership team (Head of capabilities, typically ExCo-1) as part of their current roles. Subject Matter Expert and have advanced level of understanding of Technology & Change Risk management disciplines such as IT Risk, Data Risk and Information Security, IT led Change (and Business led IT Change), IT Resilience & Recovery, Intra-group Risks across Run the Bank and Change/Transform the Bank initiatives. Ability to dive deep into a business or technical topic (‘roll up the sleeves’) and interpret complex multiple disciplinary topics  (‘ ability joining the dots’) and distil Business-IT risks/challenges/ issues into tangible actions and help shape practical solutions with the business to address them. 

Main Responsibilities 

• Act as a ‘critical friend’ and ‘trusted advisor’ to the Business and Technology leadership teams by providing be-spoke advisory on topical matters to ensure risk considerations are incorporated into business decision making. 
• Own end to end delivery of various types of reviews - thematic, deep dives, risk opinions, controls testing, quality assurance activities. 
• Able to find right balance between Run the Bank and Change the Bank type of activities depending on the priorities and committements to ensure that most urgent/important activities are priortised.
• Ensure that Bank’s Risk Management Framework and Operational Risk Management is implemented and embedded in consistent manner across Technology and Change Management disciplines. 
• Ownership of development and presentation of high quality, independent 2^nd Line risk reports and MI on Technology and Change to  Portfolio and Project level Steering Arrangements, Bank’s Material Change Committee, Management and Board Risk Committee, where required. 
• Act as a delegate to Head of Tech and Change Risk and represent Risk in the various committees and forums as required . 
• Support in shaping the regulatory engagements related to Material Change, Outsourcing and Operational Resilience topics and providing robust challenge on the reponses and commitments to ensure that they are practical, proportionate and reasonable. 
• Periodic review and challenge of risk profile and progress on action plans around Bank’s Core Technologies (legacy) and New/Emerging Technologies, Critical Assets, IT Availability, Intra-group, IT Outsourcing, IT Recovery and Incident Response. 
• Fostering culture of collaboration, critical thinking and championing cross functional collaboration across various teams within the Risk and across the Bank. 
• Strong focus on efficiency and effectiveness by priortising the  urgent / important things (Doing Now) but keeping long term view in mind (Planning in advance or re-base lining activities) to meet Bank’s strategic objectives. 
• Support design, Implementation and overseeing embedding of change risk policies,  frameworks and use of effective risk management practices to deliver improvements to 1st line change risk management.
• Collaborating with Intra-group and Inter-group entities to ensure that Bank has a co-ordinated approach on topics of common interest, where appropriate.

Ideal Candidate

Research (by Harvard University) shows that women are particularly likely to second guess themselves and not apply - so if you are worried you don't meet all the criteria, get in touch anyhow and let us do the worrying…

• Prior experience of working in highly regulated environments and understanding of PRA, FCA, ICO and BoE priorities as well relevant EU regulations. 
• You will have prior experience of working on large, complex, multi- year Business and IT transformation programmes, either in 1st or 2nd line or 3^rd Line defence or Consultancy capacity.
• Knowledge of Risks and Controls within Build v/s Buy, On-premise v/c Cloud,In-house v/s offshore development, Intra-group services v/s local service delivery models. 
• Understanding of change delivery and BAU Operational Risks (i.e. typically experience in review/challenge handed over from project to BAU operational risks)
• Understanding about different change types: IT, Product, Organisation, Process and Suppliers, its interconnectivity and meeting relevant internal/external requirements.
• Have knowledge and experience of technology practices/frameworks such as ITIL, COBIT, NIST and working knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements from PRA/FCA/EBA perspective
• Be able to demonstrate good communication skills, both written and verbal including being able to translate risk matters to non-risk professionals (& Technology risk to non IT professionals) in a clear or simple way.
• At least one fully cycle implementation of business systems and platforms around Employee Experience, Credit & Lending, Payments, Core Banking, Finance systems and experience of assessing risks phased de-comissioning legacy technologies and integrations. 

Company Information 

Handelsbanken is a relationship bank with a de-centralised way of working, a strong local presence thanks to a nationwide network of branches, and a long-term approach to customer relations. Each Handelsbanken branch operates as a local business enabling it to make decisions at a local level and provide a bespoke service. The focus is always on the need of the individual customer and not on the sale of specific products.  

We are embarking on an exciting Business Transformation journey. This transformation will significantly enhance our technology system systems, processes and services, bringing evolution to our ways of working. Join us in this transformative journey, where your dedication, adaptability and commitment will play a crucial role in shaping the future of banking for our valued customers. 

The Bank is deeply committed to embedding good equality and diversity practice into all of our activities. This is so that we are an inclusive, welcoming and inspiring place to work that encourages everyone to apply, regardless of socio-economic background, age, disability, pregnancy and/or parental status, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), veteran status, marital and civil partnership status, religion or belief, sex, gender reassignment or sexual orientation. 

Check our Handelsbanken website for further information

At Handelsbanken, we deeply value our unique culture and values including trust in and respect for each individual. We take pride in nurturing a work environment where people flourish, and where they are empowered to take decisions in their areas of expertise. We take a long term perspective in everything we do and want each employee who joins us to build a long terms successful career with the Bank.  

What is in it for you?

• We have a wide range of learning and development available, empowering and enabling our colleagues to take ownership of their own development. 
• Competitive Salary and an extensive range of benefits is provided, including private medical insurance, income protection and life assurance
• A market-leading pension contribution of 15% paid by the bank, which can be invested in a wide range of funds (including ESG and Shariah funds)

Application next steps

Your journey with us begins once you have submitted your application. One of our Handelsbanken recruiters will be reviewing your details and will later organise a phone conversation if you match the role requirements. If there is a mutual fit, we will extend an invitation for you to participate in an interview.   

How can we support you to be your best self? Our Talent Acquisition team will be happy to provide support e.g. if you need additional time to prepare for an interview or you have any requirements for any part of the interview/hiring process – just let us know by email uk_talent@careers.handelsbanken.co.uk.

This advert will be live for a minimum of two weeks. However, please note that after the two weeks, the closing date could change at any time depending on the number of responses received.

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