Assistant Vice President, Group Operational Risk

About Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad

Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad and its subsidiaries, Alliance Direct Marketing and Alliance Islamic Bank Berhad, offers banking and financial solutions through its Consumer, SME, Commercial, Corporate and Islamic banking. The Bank provides easy access to its broad base of customers throughout the country via multi-pronged delivery channels that include retail branches, Privilege Banking Centres, Business Centres, and Digital banking services.

We are currently seeking a high caliber professional to join our Group Operational Risk department under Group Risk Management division as an Assistant Vice President, Group Operational Risk.

The Role

A successful candidate in this position will be accountable for the following:

• Responsible for the internal risk governance (qualitative) which includes being the risk liaison for coordinating responses on regulatory matters, external requests, and preparing public disclosure reports.
• Responsible for the management of risk arising from Islamic banking activities in concert with other risk units in Group Risk Management. This includes the formation of risk frameworks, policies, tools and methodologies specifically for the management of Islamic/Shariah non-compliance risk.

Job Description

Risk Governance:

• To assist in the coordination of responses to external parties on risk-related matters and requests.
• To coordinate and prepare presentations/briefings on risk governance to external/internal parties (e.g. regulators, rating agencies, external auditors, etc.)
• To participate in risk governance initiatives and awareness programs to strengthen risk oversight and control functions

Risk Assurance:

• To perform independent risk reviews on operational and Islamic-risk related documents.
• To review and provide comments on regulatory papers (policy, concept papers, exposure drafts, surveys, etc.) pertaining to operational and Shariah non-compliance risks.
• To draft and review frameworks and policies on risk management of Islamic Banking operations for consistent and synergetic implementation across the Group in compliance with Shariah principles.
• To review and evaluate supplementary policies pertaining to Islamic banking operations to ensure that all activities are governed by appropriate policies as approved by the Board.
• To evaluate risk assessments of new Islamic product proposals and provide risk sign-off jointly with other units within Group Risk Management.
• To prepare sign-offs on product variations and product renewals (conventional and Islamic)

Risk Advisory

• To provide consultative advice to business units within the Group on Islamic risk management for standardized implementation across the Group.
• To provide technical support to AIS staff on matters pertaining to risk management of Islamic banking operations.
• To provide input and recommendations on Islamic risk matters to the various risk committees and Board.
• To assist the AIS team in raising awareness and understanding of risks pertaining to Islamic banking operations to all staff.

Risk Monitoring and Reporting

• To coordinate and prepare Operational and Shariah non-compliance risk management reports and Pillar 3 for the Group’s annual report.
• To prepare risk exposure reporting and portfolio analytics via Islamic risk report to Senior Management and AIS Board to enable supervisory oversight, identify, highlight risk areas and actions taken to mitigate the risks. 
• To prepare and review operational risk reports on Shariah non-compliance events. This includes reporting of Shariah non-compliance income in concert with the Risk and Compliance Officer (RCO), Shariah Department and Shariah Review.
• To perform and recommend risk methodologies for stress testing, scenario analysis and ICAAP on operational and Shariah non-compliance risks.

Risk Management Projects and Initiatives

• To participate and implement risk management projects in line with regulatory guidelines and Group’s integrated risk management framework
• To assist and support Head of Department in implementing various strategic and risk management initiatives / projects to strengthen risk management capabilities.
• To provide cross-functional support to the colleagues within GRM, as required to ensure the success of Group’s risk management initiatives.

Job Requirements

Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with aptitude for logic.
• Strong conceptual thinking and intuitive in understanding ideas and concepts.
• Effective communication skills, both written and oral.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to handle a myriad of people across all levels.
• Resourceful and adaptable in a changing environment.
• Good planning and organization skills to meet objectives within stipulated deadlines.

Knowledge

• Deep knowledge of banking principles and operations inclusive of Islamic and Shariah principles
• Knowledge of risks and controls associated with banking operations.
• Knowledge of regulatory guidelines governing the banking industry
• Awareness of best practices, market standards and market developments specifically on risk management practices.

Experience

• Tertiary graduate or qualified professional with at least 3-5 years’ experience in the banking / financial industry with exposure to risk management, compliance or audit