Our Team

Assurance is a Second line defence function established under a delegated Mandate from the Group Chief Risk Officer and the Group Head of Conduct, Financial Crime and Compliance (CFCR). The primary role of Assurance is to provide a risk-based independent view to Senior Management in the business/functions, Second Line and the Board as to the effectiveness of the bank’s policies, processes, systems and controls. It facilitates identification of any gaps & inefficiencies, enabling prompt corrective action to be taken, and is a key source of evidence for the Board & Regulators. Assurance is part of the reasonable steps taken in support of SMF 4, 16 & 17 responsibilities. 

Job Summary

This position can be based in GBS India, GBS Kuala Lumpur, and GBS Poland. 

The Head of Quality Assurance & Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Effectiveness Review is the functional owner of the Group’s Second Line Assurance quality framework and ERM Effectiveness Review approach.

The role is accountable for setting, maintaining and enforcing the standards that underpin high quality assurance outcomes across the global 2nd Line Assurance portfolio. This includes ownership and delivery of the Quality Assurance and Improvement Programme (QAIP) and delivery ERM Effectiveness Review plans, and independent ownership of material quality and effectiveness conclusions.

Acting as a senior member of the 2nd Line Assurance team, the role provides challenge to Heads of Assurance, ensures alignment to the principles based assurance methodology and the One Assurance reliance model, and supports senior management and Board level confidence in the effectiveness of the Group’s risk oversight framework.

As a key advocate for the function, the role will lead in fostering high performance and drive the core purpose and strategy. This includes supporting our digital strategy and automation, thereby enhancing the efficiency and excellence of our execution. It will support in ensuring that assurance reviewers and teams receive support and actionable feedback that is needed for them to effectively fulfil their roles. 

Key Responsibilities

• Define, drive and execute the QAIP and ERM Effectiveness Review strategy for 2nd Line Assurance Function Globally.
• Align the strategies with the broader Professional Services mandate and the overarching vision of establishing a unified “One Assurance” reliance model across the lines of defence.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement in delivery of the Assurance mandate, including by leveraging data and technology throughout the team.
• Serve as the senior escalation point for material QA and ERM Effectiveness issues.
• Ensure that the strategy and execution actively adds value to the function by enhancing effectiveness, efficiency, excellence and commercial awareness in 2nd Line Assurance activities.
• Design and execute a comprehensive schedule of thematic and continious quality and ERM Effectivness reviews.
• Assess the adherence of assurance engagemets to the established principles based methodology, internal standards and applicable regulatory and “One Assurance” reliance expectations.
• Drive continious improvement of the QAI process itself, identifying opportunity and leveraging automated testing and data driven insights to increase the coverage and depth of the QAI reviews.
• Lead through example, to build the appropriate culture and values within the team, the wider Professional Services team and the 2nd Line Assurance function.
• Provide constructive, actionable and timely feedback to assurance review teams, fostering an environment of continuous learning and high performance.
• Manage, develop and mentor a high performance the team, ensuring they possess a mix of technical methodology expertise and interpersonal influencing skills.
• Identify, assess and escalate material quality, coverage and effectiveness risks arising from QA and ERM Effectiveness Reviews.
• Provide independent assurance that the 2nd Line Assurance function is operating effectively to oversee and challenge the function’s activities.
• Ensure that the root cause of quality deficiencies are accurately identified and that there are robust, sustainable remediation plans implemented by the review teams.
• Prepare, consolidate and present comprehensive QAIP and ERM Effectiveness Framework management reporting.
• Ensure clear, transparent reporting of quality metrics, thematic findings and the status of improvement initiatives

Skills and Experience

• Strong assurance, regulatory inspection or audit experience in Risk, within a banking environment.
• Substantial experience in the banking industry, including demonstrated success in a similar roles, including across a range of risk areas.
• Experience in leading QAIP in audit/assurance.
• Proven experience assessing the effectiveness of risk management or control frameworks, including thematic assessments or oversight activities.  
• Experience in optimising processes, including via the use of technology.
• Strong leadership qualities, excellent interpersonal skills and personal authority based on trusted relationships.
• Experienced in leading and motivating high performing teams.
• Strategic vision for the function.
• Excellent communicator, effective leader and manager of complex, highly matrixed organizations and the ability to explain complex risk terms in business language.
• Ability to collaborate and work dynamically across country, region, business, and group stakeholders
• Strong drive, high levels of integrity, independence, and enthusiasm.
• Strong expertise in data analytics, AI, automation, and technology risk management in banking.
• Strong presentation skills and the overall knowledge, sound judgement and courage of conviction.

Key Skills

• Risk Specialism
• Market Expertise
• Independent Challenge
• Commercial Mindset
• Execution - Driven
• Critical - Thinking
• Solution Driven
• Proficiency in Tech, AI/ Automation
• Managing Change & Conflict
• Integrity
• People Leadership
• Stakeholder management & Influence

About Standard Chartered

We're an international bank, nimble enough to act, big enough for impact. For more than 170 years, we've worked to make a positive difference for our clients, communities, and each other. We question the status quo, love a challenge and enjoy finding new opportunities to grow and do better than before. If you're looking for a career with purpose and you want to work for a bank making a difference, we want to hear from you. You can count on us to celebrate your unique talents and we can't wait to see the talents you can bring us.

Our purpose, to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, together with our brand promise, to be here for good are achieved by how we each live our valued behaviours. When you work with us, you'll see how we value difference and advocate inclusion.

Together we:

• Do the right thing and are assertive, challenge one another, and live with integrity, while putting the client at the heart of what we do
• Never settle, continuously striving to improve and innovate, keeping things simple and learning from doing well, and not so well
• Are better together, we can be ourselves, be inclusive, see more good in others, and work collectively to build for the long term

What we offer

In line with our Fair Pay Charter, we offer a competitive salary and benefits to support your mental, physical, financial and social wellbeing.

• Core bank funding for retirement savings, medical and life insurance, with flexible and voluntary benefits available in some locations.
• Flexible working options based around home and office locations, with flexible working patterns.
• Proactive wellbeing support through Unmind, a market-leading digital wellbeing platform, development courses for resilience and other human skills, global Employee Assistance Programme, sick leave, mental health first-aiders and all sorts of self-help toolkits
• A continuous learning culture to support your growth, with opportunities to reskill and upskill and access to physical, virtual and digital learning.
• Being part of an inclusive and values driven organisation, one that embraces and celebrates our unique diversity, across our teams, business functions and geographies - everyone feels respected and can realise their full potential.