A career as a Head of ERM-Owned Policies represents a senior leadership role at the strategic heart of an organization's risk management framework. This profession is critical for those who excel in governance, regulatory interpretation, and enterprise-wide collaboration. Professionals in these jobs are the chief architects and custodians of the core documents that define how a company understands, accepts, and manages risk. They translate complex regulatory requirements and board-level risk appetite into actionable policies, standards, and procedures that guide the entire organization. The ultimate goal is to ensure a robust, consistent, and defensible risk management culture that protects the firm's assets and reputation. Typically, the responsibilities for a Head of ERM-Owned Policies are multifaceted and center on the entire policy lifecycle. A primary duty involves the continuous monitoring of the regulatory landscape and internal business changes to identify impacts on existing risk policies. This requires conducting thorough gap analyses to ensure policies remain current and effective against evolving standards. Leading the actual development, drafting, and maintenance of these critical governance documents is a core function, which includes socializing drafts with stakeholders and securing approvals from senior governance committees. Furthermore, this role owns the process for managing policy breaches, dispensations, and waivers, which involves investigating incidents, assessing their impact, and ensuring corrective actions are implemented. Presenting clear and concise reports on policy adherence and breach metrics to senior management and board-level committees is a regular activity. Finally, a significant part of the job is fostering strong partnerships across the first, second, and third lines of defense, mentoring junior team members, and building consensus to promote a strong, unified risk culture. The typical skills and requirements for these high-level jobs are extensive. Candidates generally possess a minimum of 10-15 years of progressive experience in risk management, finance, or a related governance function, ideally within a complex, highly-regulated industry. In-depth knowledge of risk management governance frameworks, regulatory expectations, and industry best practices is non-negotiable. This includes a strong understanding of concepts like risk appetite, stress testing, and the management of various risk types (e.g., strategic, operational, credit). Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills are required to dissect complex regulatory text and develop practical, compliant policy solutions. Superior written and verbal communication is paramount, as the role involves articulating complex policy interpretations to diverse audiences, from technical teams to the board. Proven leadership and team management capabilities are essential, as is the ability to influence stakeholders and drive results in a fast-paced environment. For strategic thinkers with a passion for governance and a talent for clear communication, Head of ERM-Owned Policies jobs offer a challenging and impactful career path at the highest levels of corporate oversight.
