Operational Risk Manager

About Us

Schroders, a global investment manager, is committed to helping institutions, intermediaries, and individuals worldwide meet their goals, fulfil their ambitions, and prepare for the future. As the world evolves, so do our clients’ needs. Our ability to adapt to these changes and maintain our focus on what matters most to our clients is what sets us apart.

We manage £449.4 billion worth of assets, entrusted to us by clients who rely on us to deliver sustainable returns. Our team of 4,100 professionals across six continents is committed to building future prosperity for our clients and society at large. We are a global business with a local approach, ensuring our clients’ needs are at the heart of everything we do.

Our culture and core values of Integrity, Passion, Teamwork, Innovation, and Excellence are integral to our success, and we strive to reflect them in all our endeavours.

Team Overview

Group Risk is part of the second line of defence at Schroders and therefore works closely with the other second line functions, most notably Compliance, Legal, Finance and Human Resources and the 3rd line of defence, being Group Internal Audit. The purpose of Group risk is to provide independent oversight and challenge to the 1st line of defence. The Group Operational Risk team is responsible for the development, maintenance, and oversight of the operational risk management framework, operational risk policies and procedures, operational risk management tools and systems. The APAC Operational Risk team provides advisory support in the interpretation and adoption of the Operational Risk framework/policy and reviews and challenges all risk events, reviews RCA (Risk and Control Assessment) conducted by the business and oversees operational risk management across the region.

Overview of role

This role exercises operational risk oversight across the business areas in Hong Kong and China (excl. FMC), provides risk advisory support where relevant as well as participates in Regional and Global initiatives alongside the APAC Operational Risk team.  The incumbent will report into the Head of Enterprise Risk, Asia Pacific.

Key Responsibilities:

Oversight of the operational risk policy/framework and adherence of the components within by the 1st line of defence (including providing advice in carrying out the tasks and maintenance of required information in Operational Risk tool, Archer) such as operational risk events, risk issues and actions as well as the Risk and Control Assessment (RCA)

Be the SME for Archer and provide training and guidance as needed

Maintain oversight of the material sources of operational risk across Hong Kong and our China franchises (excl. FMC), both for the asset management and private assets businesses, and where relevant, provide proactive advice with a forward-looking perspective to local management

Establish and maintain firm working relationships with business areas to keep informed of changes and business developments

Provide guidance and mentor the Operational Risk team in HK

Involvement in key projects and initiatives to oversee the risk identification, assessment and mitigation plans by the 1st line of defence and challenging the operational risk assessments, as relevant, so that these are performed appropriately

Participate in the new product and new institutional client take-on risk assessment processes to review and challenge the assessment results and mitigation proposed/undertaken where appropriate.

Support Group Risk and APAC Ops Risk initiatives and projects and participate in project meetings/working groups as required

Represent Operational Risk within various local/regional Committee meetings, project Steering Committees and working groups, as relevant

Timely escalation of material issues to Regional Head of Enterprise Risk APAC

Produce relevant operational risk MI (including Key Risk Indicators) as required

Other ad-hoc tasks as relevant

Essential Skills

Bachelors/Master’s Degree holder preferably in Business Administration, Finance, Risk Management or other equivalently appropriate disciplines

At least 10 years of experience within the Financial Services industry with a minimum of 7 years spent either within 1st line risk or control or 2nd line operational risk management. Knowledge of the Asset Management industry and prior Private Asset experience preferable

Solid knowledge of operational risk management and strong risk/internal controls mindset

Passionate about analysing risk issues and control gaps and adept at defining solutions and process improvements

Possess a change mind-set with an ability to constantly challenge status quo

Ability to work independently and under pressure whilst being a good team player

Initiated and proactive with a hands-on attitude

Good communication and presentation skills

Strong command of both English and Mandarin (spoken and written)

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Powerpoint as well as Power BI (Visio with VBA skills a plus)

Desirable Skills

An ability to engage effectively with a range of different individuals across the organization

Innate ability to synthesize information and to understand what the key issues are, and the appropriate actions required to address these

We recognise potential, whoever you are

Our purpose is to provide excellent investment performance to clients through active management. Diversity of thought facilitated by an inclusive culture will allow us to make better decisions and better achieve our purpose. This is why inclusion and diversity are a strategic priority for us and why we are an equal opportunities employer: you are welcome here regardless of your age, disability, gender identity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, socio-economic background or any other protected characteristics.