Job Title: Head of Risk Management
Location: Dubai, UAE
Job Summary
The Risk Director is responsible for leading the development and driving execution of a comprehensive risk policy framework and strategy to mitigate risks at an organization-wide level. This role ensures the protection of employees, assets, and the organization's reputation. The Risk Director oversees the provision of compliance services to maintain alignment with internal policies and regulatory obligations while ensuring the effective implementation of business continuity and disaster recovery strategies.
Key Stakeholders
Internal:
- Board Risk and Audit Committee
- Business Units
- Internal Audit Team
- Legal Team
- Corporate Services Teams
- Finance Team
- Internal Committees
External:
- Auditors
- Government Officials
Primary Accountabilities & Responsibilities
Strategic Planning
- Set the business direction for the Risk Department and guide strategy development in line with organizational priorities.
- Prepare and manage the annual budget, operational plan, KPIs, and targets for the department.
- Define the operating framework, provide leadership, and facilitate work processes to drive the Risk Management function.
- Ensure risk management practices are embedded in the organization’s strategy and participate in management decision-making and cross-departmental collaborations.
- Formulate an integrated risk management framework, establishing prudent risk policies and guidelines.
- Establish and monitor performance against the corporate risk appetite.
- Oversee the ongoing development and adherence to the risk framework, including policies and risk registers.
- Monitor enterprise-level risk assessment, evaluating and addressing risks while following up on implementation across departments.
- Provide guidance to the Board and Executive Management on risk and compliance to enable informed decision-making.
- Foster a culture of risk management and compliance through awareness sessions, risk champion frameworks, and early warning systems.
Compliance
- Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, professional standards, and internal policies.
- Oversee the development and continuous review of the compliance framework, ensuring appropriate risk assessment, monitoring, and evaluation.
- Conduct periodic internal compliance reviews to ensure adherence to established procedures.
- Monitor compliance concerns and ensure violations are appropriately addressed and reported.
- Ensure compliance training for all internal stakeholders to increase awareness of policies and regulations.
Business Continuity Management
- Oversee the Business Continuity processes to ensure organizational resilience during crises or disasters.
- Develop disaster recovery plans for critical assets and contingency plans for emergencies.
- Review reports on fraud and whistleblowing.
- Ensure effective implementation and testing of Business Continuity Management standards and procedures.
People Management
- Develop and mentor talent within the team, providing guidance and ongoing feedback to achieve defined goals.
- Define SMART objectives and KPIs for direct reports and ensure effective performance management.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous professional development.
Quality & Compliance Responsibilities
- Advocate for Health, Safety, and Environmental procedures and ensure adherence to regulatory standards.
- Promote a culture of compliance across the division and guide stakeholders in upholding regulatory requirements.
Job Prerequisites
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree in Law, Finance, Business Administration, or related fields.
- Proficiency in English and/or Arabic.
Certifications:
- Certified Risk Manager/Operational Risk Practitioner.
- ICA Certificate of Compliance.
Experience:
- 10-15 years of experience in relevant fields.
Technical Skills & Competencies:
- Governance, risk, and control expertise.
- Proficiency in risk assessment frameworks (e.g., COSO, ISO).
- Knowledge of regulatory standards and cybersecurity principles.
- Familiarity with business continuity planning and risk management tools.
- Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative risk analysis techniques.
