International Enterprise Functions Compliance & Operational Risk, Technology and COO

About this role

At Wells Fargo, a global and award-winning bank, we are seeking an experienced professional to join our Compliance and Operational Risk Department as the lead coverage for the Technology Function which supports the international business activities.

This role is for a senior leader based in the United Kingdom, responsible for the provision and oversight of compliance and operational risk management for Technology as a Function.

You will act as a subject matter expert on relevant regulations and associated operational risks applicable to Technology, ensuring advice is proactively provided and risks (including emerging risks) are identified and appropriately managed.

The role will require the individual to work closely with colleagues and counterparts in the US as part of a global team, leveraging the expertise and depth of resource of our global partners. Exceptional and proven subject matter expertise of the complex and diverse risks associated with Technology applicable to a global CIB organisation operating on a cross-border basis is essential.

As a part of Wells Fargo’s second line of defense and Independent Risk Management team, covers jobs responsible for establishing, implementing, and maintaining risk standards and programs to ensure compliance with federal, state, agency, legal, regulatory, and Corporate Policy requirements, while also providing governance, oversight, and credible challenge of operational risk exposures and risk management practices arising from inadequate or failed internal processes, people, systems, or external events.

In this role, you will

• Operate as a senior member of the International Enterprise Functions Compliance and Operational Risk team.
• Have primary responsibility for the second line oversight and risk management of Technology as a function, and the related functional topics such as Data Management, Information Security and Artificial Intelligence (AI) applicable to the international lines of business, with a particular focus on Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB), Commercial Banking and Global Payments and Liquidity.
• Be a subject matter expert (SME) of the relevant regulations and Operational risks applicable to Technology with in-depth knowledge of the continuously evolving global environment relating to AI.
• Bring industry standards and knowledge regarding Technology and AI to life.
• Provide proactive, value add technical regulatory compliance and operational risk advice to the relevant Technology Functions and associated lines of business, acting as a trusted risk manager and partner.
• Proactively challenge to ensure risk is identified and appropriately managed, including raising issues as needed.
• Lead for Compliance and Operational Risk in relevant business led projects, including new business initiatives.
• Drive efficiency and actively seek opportunities for process improvements, focusing on areas of heightened risk.
• Engage effectively with Global and International Compliance and Operational Risk teams, providing SME advisory input including:
• Regulatory change management
• Risk Assessments (First and Second Line)
• Policy and Training
• Monitoring
• Reporting
• Make decisions and resolve issues in a timely manner to meet business objectives, escalating as necessary.
• Represent Compliance and Operational Risk at relevant governance committees and other forums as necessary by providing challenge and robust oversight.
• Work with other global and international leaders to ensure business needs are supported.
• Collaborate and influence all levels of stakeholders and internal clients.
• Build relationships with corporate, business leaders, Legal, Audit, regulators and industry partners on risk related topics.
• Alert management immediately of any material or significant risks (and potential risks).
• Support the broader Independent Risk Management (IRM) teams by operating horizontally and consider holistic risks, providing constructive solutions for the wider team.
• Identify and recommend opportunities for process improvement and risk control developments, looking to leverage global teams where possible to avoid duplication of resources.
• Engage and influence stakeholders, internal partners, and peers associated with Compliance & Operational Risk functional area
• Manage the development, implementation, and monitoring of a Compliance & Operational Risk based program for a business or large functional area with moderate to high risk to identify, assess, and mitigate Compliance & Operational Risk that arises from inadequate or failed internal processes, people, systems, or external events
• Maintain a balance between Compliance & Operational Risk mitigation and efficiency
• Establish and ensure execution of Compliance & Operational Risk programs companywide with considerable risk and multiple regulatory environments
• Provide Compliance & Operational Risk expertise and consult complex business units for initiatives with high risk, generally spanning multiple business lines
• Consult with and influence executive leadership, Compliance & Operational Risk, and business management to identify, formulate, and implement Compliance & Operational Risk policies, procedures and controls
• Ensure reporting, escalation, and remediation of issues, deficiencies, or regulatory matters regarding Compliance & Operational Risk to leaders, committees, and appropriate business management
• Lead initiatives that cross multiple lines of business in scope with significant impact and risk
• Collaborate and influence all levels of professionals including more experienced leaders
• Lead team to achieve objectives
• Manage communication and collaboration with business heads, Legal, Audit, and regulators on risk related topics
• Manage allocation of people and financial resources for Compliance & Operational Risk
• Develop and guide a culture of talent development to meet business objectives and strategy.

Required Qualifications

• Experience in Compliance, Operational Risk, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, education
• Strong educational background ideally with a university degree and academic track record
• Professional qualifications, certificates, and/or registrations relevant to Compliance/Operational Risk in financial services.
• Corporate and Investment Banking experience, either in Compliance, Operational Risk, Legal or the Business.

Technical skills

• Strong experience in Compliance and/or Operational risk management, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education.
• Proven experience in compliance and/or operational risk within financial services and extensive working knowledge of Technology as a function and related risks in particular:
• Technology Risk: Deep expertise in technology risk domains, including resilience engineering, disaster recovery, network security, and asset lifecycle management, with the ability to independently assess and challenge availability, incident management, and infrastructure control effectiveness in complex environments.
• Information Security Risk: Advanced knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO), identity and access management, threat detection, and vulnerability management, with demonstrated ability to assess security operations, incident response, and emerging threat capabilities to drive proactive risk mitigation
• Data Risk: Strong technical proficiency in data governance, architecture, and protection, including data classification, lifecycle management, privacy regulations, and secure data exchange, with experience challenging data controls to ensure integrity, confidentiality, and regulatory compliance.
• Thought leader in evolving risks regarding AI and well connected to external developments in this critical topic.

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