Director Risk & Control

Role Overview

The Director of Risk & Control is tasked with assisting the Head of Corporate & Investment Banking in managing operational and process risks within the business division. This pivotal first-line risk leadership position ensures strong controls, governance, and adherence to the Operational Risk Framework to enhance control effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and operational resilience.

Primary Responsibilities

• Work closely with Country and Regional leadership to identify and manage operational and process risks across the Corporate & Investment Banking Client Coverage lifecycle, including in-country and outsourced/global business services.
• Lead efforts to establish strong first-line controls by designing control mechanisms, testing their effectiveness, monitoring issues, and driving timely remediation of residual risks.
• Assess operational risk impacts arising from new business strategies, product launches, regulatory changes, and initiatives within COO and Client Coverage functions, ensuring appropriate control frameworks.
• Serve as the main contact for escalating operational risk incidents or control failures within the country, conducting investigations, root cause analysis, and implementing corrective actions.
• Identify emerging and complex risk exposures proactively and suggest improvements to strengthen controls and operational resilience.
• Promote a robust risk and control culture among the client teams by raising governance awareness and emphasizing supervisory accountability and compliance standards.
• Support and deliver risk training and communication programs to deepen understanding of risk frameworks and encourage individual risk ownership.

Required Skills and Experience

• Extensive experience in operational risk management within banking or financial services, with strong knowledge of risk assessment, control frameworks, and regulatory compliance.
• Advanced analytical capabilities for investigating complex risks, anticipating process failures, and designing sustainable risk mitigation aligned with organizational goals.
• Proven record of driving change within risk functions including embedding controls and influencing stakeholders to raise risk awareness.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams such as operations, compliance, finance, and technology to integrate risk seamlessly into client-facing processes.
• Business insight relevant to Commercial and Global Banking sectors, enabling risk oversight aligned with market and strategic developments.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of clearly and persuasively explaining complex risk issues to diverse audiences with a solutions-oriented approach.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Risk Management, or a related field is mandatory.
• Minimum of 5 O'level credits including English and Mathematics.
• Qualification verification by the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA) is required.
• Professional certifications like Certified Risk Manager (CRM) or Financial Risk Manager (FRM) are highly preferred.

About the Employer

Standard Chartered is a global bank committed to creating positive impacts for clients and communities worldwide with over 170 years of presence. It fosters an inclusive culture valuing diversity and encourages innovation, integrity, and collaboration among its workforce.

Benefits and Work Culture

• Competitive remuneration aligned with the Fair Pay Charter plus comprehensive benefits supporting mental, physical, financial, and social well-being.
• Bank-funded retirement savings, medical and life insurance, optional flexible benefits in some locations.
• Generous leave policies including annual leave, parental/maternity leave up to 20 weeks, sabbaticals up to 12 months, volunteering leave, with at least 30 combined holidays annually.
• Flexible working arrangements balancing home and office environments.
• Access to wellness resources including digital wellbeing platforms, mental health assistance, resilience training, and employee support programs.
• Opportunities for continuous learning, professional development, and skills enhancement.
• An inclusive, values-driven environment promoting respect, diversity, and enabling employees to reach their full potential.