Chief Risk Officer

 

Description:

A regulated digital bank operating within the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) is seeking a senior Chief Risk Officer (CRO) to lead its enterprise-wide risk framework across credit, operational, cyber, sustainability, fraud, and technology risks in a trade-finance-focused digital banking environment.

 

This is a Board-level leadership role responsible for protecting the institution’s balance sheet, regulatory standing, and long-term sustainability while enabling responsible growth.

 

About the role

 

The Chief Risk Officer will design, implement, and continuously enhance the bank’s enterprise risk management framework in line with FSRA regulations, the Bank’s Risk Appetite Statement, and international best practice. The role carries full accountability for managing risks arising from digital trade finance, cross-border settlements, AI-driven credit models, cyber threats, and third-party dependencies.

 

The CRO will work closely with the Board Risk Committee, senior management, and the FSRA to ensure the bank remains resilient, compliant, and forward-looking.

 

Key responsibilities

 

• Lead the development and maintenance of the enterprise-wide risk management framework across credit, operational, cyber, sustainability, fraud, market, and third-party risk

• Define and monitor quantitative and qualitative risk limits aligned to the bank’s digital trade finance strategy

• Chair and support the Board Risk Committee and embed a strong risk culture across the organisation

• Serve as the primary contact for the FSRA on risk matters, including ICAAP and ILAAP submissions

• Lead internal risk reviews, regulatory examinations, and remediation programmes

 

Credit and trade finance risk

• Define credit rating models, exposure limits, and collateral frameworks

• Oversee risks arising from AI and machine-learning driven SME lending models

• Manage risks linked to physical goods, shipping documentation, commodity price volatility, and fraud

• Oversee digital negotiable instruments and electronic trade documentation under ADGM regulations

 

Operational and cyber risk

• Oversee RCSAs, incident management, resilience planning, and control effectiveness

• Integrate cyber risk into enterprise risk management and incident response frameworks

• Ensure compliance with FSRA Cyber Risk Management and IT Risk Management requirements effective from January 2026

 

Market and liquidity risk

• Lead the Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (ICAAP)

• Lead the Internal Liquidity Adequacy Assessment Process (ILAAP), with specific focus on trade finance maturity transformation risks

 

Sustainability and ESG risk

• Integrate ESG and climate-related risks into credit, portfolio, and enterprise risk assessments

• Ensure compliance with emerging FSRA sustainability and climate risk expectations

 

Fraud and financial crime risk

• Design and oversee fraud detection and prevention frameworks for digital trade finance and payments

• Oversee transaction monitoring and ensure timely escalation of suspicious activities in collaboration with AML and Compliance

 

Third-party and technology risk

• Manage risks arising from fintech partners, cloud providers, Banking-as-a-Service arrangements, and trade-tech platforms

• Oversee model risk, data integrity, and system resilience

• Ensure robust business continuity and disaster recovery for all digital platforms

 

Reporting and analytics

• Deliver risk dashboards, heatmaps, stress-testing, and scenario analysis to the Board and senior management

• Provide forward-looking risk insights to support strategic and product decisions

 

Who we are looking for

 

Essential

• Master’s degree in Finance, Economics, Risk Management, or a related discipline

• 12+ years of experience in risk management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role such as CRO or Head of Risk

• Experience within a regulated digital bank, trade finance institution, or complex financial services environment

• Strong knowledge of FSRA regulatory frameworks covering credit, operational, cyber, liquidity, and third-party risk

• Professional certifications such as FRM, PRM, or CFA

 

Preferred

• Experience in digital banking, trade finance, fintech, or cross-border payments

• Knowledge of blockchain, DLT, API security, and data privacy under ADGM Data Protection Regulations

• MBA, doctorate, or additional risk or financial qualifications