The Risk Head for Investor Services Digital Assets will be a strategic leader responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing a comprehensive risk management framework tailored to our digital asset products and operations. This role requires deep expertise in traditional financial risk management principles combined with a profound understanding of blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies, and the evolving regulatory landscape of digital assets. The Risk Head will act as a primary advisor to senior management, ensuring all digital asset activities align with regulatory requirements, internal policies, and the company's risk appetite.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Framework Development
* Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the digital assets risk management program, balancing innovation with commercial viability within the risk framework.
* Develop, maintain, and continuously enhance the Digital Assets Risk Management Framework, including policies, standards, procedures, and controls, ensuring alignment with current regulatory expectations.
* Serve as the primary First Line of Defense contact and risk oversight lead for all digital asset initiatives within Investor Services.
* Evaluate and challenge digital asset use cases, models, and emerging technologies from a risk and compliance perspective.
Regulatory Compliance & Oversight
* Act as the primary subject matter expert on regulations such as the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Anti-Money Laundering (AML), OFAC, FinCEN guidelines, and other relevant financial regulations pertaining to digital assets.
* Develop, implement, and maintain a robust and effective risk and compliance program tailored to the unique risks of digital assets.
* Oversee transaction monitoring systems and processes to detect and report suspicious activities (SARs) in accordance with regulatory requirements.
* Ensure the robust implementation and ongoing effectiveness of Know Your Customer (KYC) and Customer Due Diligence (CDD) processes.
* Stay abreast of emerging regulatory trends, enforcement actions, and industry best practices in the crypto compliance space.
* Serve as the primary liaison for regulatory examinations, internal audits, and external assessments related to compliance, coordinating responses and remediation efforts.
Risk Assessment & Management
* Conduct regular risk assessments specific to digital asset activities, identifying potential vulnerabilities, and implementing effective mitigation strategies.
* Design and implement market risk management strategies and policies to identify, measure, and manage market-related risks, including the unique volatility, liquidity, regulatory, and smart contract risks of digital/on-chain assets.
* Integrate digital risks into broader Services risk management frameworks, understanding inter-relationships with second line of defense risk functions.
* Ensure appropriate digital controls, including patches for vulnerabilities in critical assets, and align with IT compliance frameworks such as NIST, COSO, COBIT, and ISO 27001.
* Identify risk levels and associated controls using quantitative and qualitative techniques.
Stakeholder Collaboration & Communication
* Partner with key stakeholders (Product, Operations, Technology, Data, Legal, Compliance, Audit,) to align digital asset risk management with enterprise objectives.
* Report on digital asset risk posture to senior leadership across the business and firm.
* Provide expert advice and guidance to senior management and various departments on compliance matters.
* Foster a strong risk culture, promoting accountability and effective risk management at all levels.
Team Leadership
* Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing risk and compliance team, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented environment.
* Oversee all people management functions for the team.
Qualifications
Experience
* Minimum of years of progressive experience in risk management, audit, model governance, or AI/Digital Asset development within a large financial institution, regulatory body, or related field.
* Demonstrable experience (3-5+ years) in the digital asset and blockchain industry, with a deep understanding of tokens, staking, digital funds, crypto custody, DeFi, NFTs, stablecoins, and tokenized assets.
* Proven expertise in designing and managing BSA/AML programs within regulated financial institutions.
* Experience working with regulators (e.g., NYDFS, OCC, SEC, MAS) including new product non-objection submissions and responding to regulatory inquiries.
* Track record of influencing change and delivering results in a dynamic, multinational organization.
* Experience in developing and implementing compliance policies, procedures, and internal monitoring controls.
Skills & Knowledge
* Deep understanding of blockchain technologies, regulatory expectations and enterprise risk principles.
* Strong analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving abilities with a keen eye for detail.
* Familiarity with IT compliance frameworks such as NIST, COSO, COBIT, and ISO 27001.
* Excellent communication (written and verbal), presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate complex regulatory concepts to diverse audiences, including executives and shareholders.
* Proven leadership and team management capabilities.
* Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment, comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty.
* Proficiency in data analysis techniques and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau) is a plus.
* SQL and Python programming experience are a plus.
* Strong project management skills.
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Job Family Group:
Risk Management
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Job Family:
Risk Functional Management
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Time Type:
Full time
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Most Relevant Skills
Analytical Thinking, Credible Challenge, Escalation Management, Governance, Policy and Procedure, Policy and Regulation, Regulatory Compliance, Risk Controls and Monitors, Risk Identification and Assessment, Stakeholder Management.
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Other Relevant Skills
For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.
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