Explore a career as an Operational Risk Senior Officer I, a pivotal senior-level role dedicated to safeguarding organizations from internal failures and emerging threats. These professionals are the strategic backbone of a company's operational risk framework, tasked with building resilient systems that prevent financial loss, reputational damage, and regulatory non-compliance. For seasoned experts seeking to shape risk culture at an enterprise level, Operational Risk Sr Officer I jobs offer a challenging and impactful career path at the intersection of governance, analysis, and strategic advisory. Individuals in this profession are primarily responsible for establishing, overseeing, and continuously improving the organization's operational risk policies, governance processes, and risk management technologies. A typical day involves a blend of proactive and reactive risk management. Proactively, they lead risk identification workshops, analyze data to spot emerging trends, and challenge existing processes and controls to ensure they are robust against a constantly changing threat landscape. Reactively, they conduct in-depth analyses of operational risk events, scrutinizing root causes and ensuring that corrective action plans are effective and address systemic issues, not just symptoms. Their goal is to create lasting solutions that minimize losses from failed internal processes, inadequate controls, and unforeseen risks. Common responsibilities for an Operational Risk Senior Officer I include serving as a subject matter expert for complex performance and control issues, resolving high-level escalations, and providing oversight of third-party vendors and the extended supply chain. They develop and monitor key risk and performance indicators (KRIs/KPIs) to provide a clear picture of the organization's risk profile. A significant part of their role is also communication and influence; they must build and maintain strong relationships across all business units and lines of defense, effectively translating complex risk concepts into actionable insights for senior management and technical teams alike. Furthermore, they often manage a portfolio of risk-related projects, driving the implementation and enhancement of risk management programs from conception to completion. The typical skills and requirements for these high-level jobs are substantial. Candidates generally need a minimum of 10+ years of relevant experience in operational risk, compliance, or a related control function. Exceptional communication, diplomacy, and influencing skills are non-negotiable, as the role requires guiding, convincing, and occasionally challenging senior stakeholders. Strong analytical abilities are crucial for manipulating and interpreting large datasets to derive meaningful insights. A deep understanding of operational processes and the technology platforms that support them is expected, often with a focus on areas like IT, cyber risk, or data governance. Expertise in standard office tools is a given, while familiarity with data visualization software is a plus. A bachelor’s degree is typically required, with a master’s degree often preferred. Ultimately, success in these jobs hinges on a detail-oriented mindset, sound ethical judgment, and the ability to make critical decisions that protect the organization's integrity and future.
