The Bank for International Settlements, BIS is hiring the Head of Operational Risk Oversight and Deputy Head of ORM within the RM-Operational Risk Management (ORM) department.

This role is based in Basel, however, thanks to our status as an international organization, we can hire globally and welcome applications from candidates of all nationalities and located anywhere in the world. Relocation support is available for the successful candidate and their dependent family members.

This job is available as three years fixed-term.

The deadline for application is on Monday 26 January 2026 end of the day.

Purpose of the job:

Lead, oversee and coordinate second line of defence (2LOD) activities for Banking Compliance, Resiliency and Crisis Management, Process Management and the development of Third-Party Risk Management.

By joining the RM-Operational Risk Management (ORM) team, you will:

• Lead the management of 2LOD activities for Banking Compliance, Resiliency and Crisis Management, Process Management, and Third-Party Risk Management.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of frameworks and controls for risk management.
• Deputize the Head of Operational Risk Management.
• Manage and develop a diverse team, fostering collaboration and professional growth.

Principal accountabilities:

Banking Compliance

• Leads the assessment, identification and documentation for compliance risks associated with Banking activities. Leads efforts to periodically revise controls, procedures and guidelines. Provides staff training.

Resiliency and Crisis Management

• Directs Bank-wide resiliency efforts and Business Continuity Management (BCM) planning to ensure that the Bank has appropriate measures in place to continue operations in the event of a range of disaster scenarios. Drives all facets of BCM processes and initiatives and readiness testing. Serves as the second line of defence responsible for resiliency risk and guides the co-ordination of the Bank’s response to a crisis, in an effective, timely manner.

Process Management

• Identifies risk associated with processes within the Bank and works with business areas to identify process and control improvements.

Third Party Risk Management

• Define and establish a risk-based approach to address key TPRM related risks and oversee its implementation and on-going monitoring.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Deputises for the Head of ORM in all matters. Represents ORM in management meetings and committees and assumes full leadership of ORM in their absence.
• Serves as Line Manager of the OR Oversight team in ORM. Coordinates the activities of the unit. Development of staff measures by preparing proposals in connection with recruitment, transfers, promotions, team building and disciplinary measures. Conducts performance reviews. Ensures an efficient flow of work in the area of responsibility.
• Establishes and maintains professional contacts and effective communication within the BIS, with the central banking and regulatory communities as well as selected market participants and industry groups.
• Together with the Head of ORM, represents the BIS in meetings hosted by external industry groups and central bank working groups. Gives presentations internally and externally on the work of operational risk management.

Qualifications, skills, and experience:

• Advanced degree from a university of international standing.
• Several years of working experience in operational risk or resiliency.
• Knowledge of industry and international BCM standards and familiarity with implementation issues as it relates to regulatory requirements.
• Experience in Compliance operations or third-party risk management operations would be beneficial.
• Familiarity with risk management and/or process management would be beneficial. Familiarity with central banking or commercial banking trading activities a plus.
• Experience in managing teams, ideally in an international environment.
• Excellent drafting and communication skills in English for both written documents and oral presentations. One or more additional major languages would be an asset.
• Aptitude and experience in strategic project management and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal and team-building skills, strong multicultural and diversity sensitivity. Proven experience curating diverse perspectives.
• Proven ability to establish relationships and coordinate across varied professional groups including senior management.

Who we are:

Internationalism is at the core of our identity and the best representation of this is our workforce. With employees from over 66 countries and offices in nine locations, the BIS is a global organisation with a truly international workforce. By joining us, you will work in a unique, highly rewarding, and international work environment. We are committed to equal opportunities at the BIS and aim to build a workforce that reflects our global membership. We strive to attract the best talent and foster an inclusive environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, including those with a breadth of professional experience. You can discover more about our inclusive working environment here.

What the BIS offers:

We want your time at BIS to be a rewarding and career-enriching experience. We offer an agile and flexible working environment with hybrid working opportunities including home office and working from abroad days. To support our international applicants, we offer relocation support that extends to your dependent family members. In addition, we offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, including support for working families including childcare and education allowances (where applicable). Finally, we offer a genuinely unique international working environment, which will give you exposure to the global financial system and the opportunity to collaborate with passionate experts from all over the world.