SVP, Head of Operational Risk Management
About The Position
The Senior Vice President, Head of Operational Risk Management is a senior executive responsible for establishing, implementing, and overseeing a comprehensive operational risk management framework, policies, and practices across regions and business lines. The role identifies, assesses, monitors, and mitigates operational risks that could affect the organization’s strategic objectives or stakeholder value. It defines and implements global operational risk strategy, promotes a strong risk culture with senior leadership, and provides independent oversight of risks including business resiliency, fraud, technology, data, and third-party risks. The position is ideally based at RGA’s headquarters in St. Louis or Toronto in a hybrid arrangement. A fully remote arrangement with frequent travel may also be available. The role chairs the Operational Risk Committee and provides strategic counsel to the Global CRO, Executive Committee, and Board of Directors, while engaging with regulators, auditors, and assurance providers. It partners with technology, procurement, data, and security teams on governance and risk management. The position is expected to provide transparent risk reporting, maintain risk monitoring and early-warning capabilities, and adapt risk capabilities to external trends and regulatory developments.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, or a related field.
- At least 15 years of progressive experience in a risk/control and/or operations role, including at least 10 years in senior leadership roles.
- Proven experience designing, implementing, and enhancing operational risk functions, frameworks, policies, and methodologies in a complex global organization.
- Comprehensive knowledge and practical experience with operational risk and regulatory frameworks and methodologies, risk and control self-assessment tools, risk technology platforms, and industry best practices.
- Proven ability to engage and influence senior business and functional stakeholders, Executive Committee members, and the Board of Directors in a risk oversight capacity.
- Advanced knowledge of cybersecurity, information security, and technology risk management.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in the insurance or reinsurance industry, with a deep understanding of industry-specific operational risks and relevant regulatory requirements.
- Experience partnering with regulators and managing regulatory relationships from an operational risk perspective across multiple jurisdictions.
- Demonstrated success in crisis management and business continuity planning.
- Proficiency in data analysis, risk modeling, and quantitative risk assessment techniques.
- Outstanding communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
- Exceptional leadership and team management capabilities, including experience leading global, diverse teams.
- Demonstrated success fostering a strong risk culture and continuous improvement in risk processes.
Responsibilities
- Define, develop, and execute the global operational risk management vision and strategy in collaboration with business and functional leaders, aligning it with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and the overall risk management framework.
- Chair the Operational Risk Committee.
- Design, implement, and continuously enhance operational risk frameworks, programs, policies, and procedures.
- Own and enhance risk methodologies and standards, including risk taxonomy, risk appetite statements, tolerance levels, and assessment tools.
- Lead enterprise-wide operational risk identification, assessment, monitoring, and reporting, and integrate operational risk into business processes, decisions, and strategic planning.
- Advise and challenge the business on risk exposures and control effectiveness, providing expertise to influence strategic decisions and improve business resilience.
- Provide strategic counsel to the Global CRO, Executive Committee, and Board of Directors on operational risk matters.
- Liaise with regulators, auditors, and assurance providers on key risk topics.
- Partner with Global Technology, Procurement, and Data and Security teams on data governance, privacy, controls, and resilience; provide governance, expertise, and counsel on technology, cyber, data, and third-party risk management.
- Deliver transparent risk reporting to senior leadership, regulators, the Executive Committee, and the Board of Directors.
- Establish operational risk monitoring and early-warning systems; use non-financial risk dashboards and maintain key risk indicators and performance metrics.
- Build and maintain relationships with the Executive Committee, regional leadership, business leaders, and Global Risk & Strategic Enablement leadership.
- Monitor external trends and regulatory developments to evolve risk capabilities and ensure ongoing compliance.
Benefits
- Annual bonus plan covering all roles.
- Some positions are eligible to participate in a long-term equity incentive plan.
- Health, retirement, and other employee benefits.
- Opportunity to gain knowledge and experience from diverse colleagues around the world.
- Respectful and welcoming environment that fosters individuality and encourages pioneering thought.
- Career potential and global opportunities.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
