Executive Director, Internal Audit - Financial Risk and Lending

Role Description

SMBC is seeking an experienced Audit Executive Director Financial Risk and Lending with a minimum of 15 years’ experience in the banking and finance industry to lead audit coverage of Financial Risk Management related activities within Internal Audit and/or Risk Management.

Reporting to the Risk, Lending, and Models Business Function Head, the Financial Risk and Lending Team Lead will be responsible for (1) overseeing various large scale complicated audits with minimal supervision by the Business Function Head, ensuring work is performed in accordance with IIA standards and IAD policies and procedures (2) conducting audits requiring risk management related subject matter expertise, and (3) supporting the Business Function Head in the execution of their duties.

Role Responsibilities:

• Support IAD Management in the planning, development, implementation, and maintenance of an internal audit program that addresses financial risks across the Americas Division.
• Direct and oversee audits as Team Leader in accordance with IIA standards, IAD policies and procedures, and Bank policies, with limited supervision from the Business Function Head. 
• Develop and oversee audit coverage of complex lending portfolios and emerging risk areas, including corporate banking, private credit, non-bank financial institution (NBFI) lending, and credit risk management, while coordinating with regulators, second line functions, and business stakeholders on audit planning, issue assessment, and regulatory examination support
• Lead audits of financial risk management functions, including credit risk, liquidity risk, risk appetite, stress testing, enterprise risk, and related risk governance frameworks, providing independent assurance over the effectiveness of risk management practices and internal controls.
• Lead and oversee risk-based audits of lending businesses and credit lifecycle processes, including loan origination, credit administration, collateral management, portfolio monitoring, problem loan management, leasing, and related governance and control frameworks. 
• Oversee audits of enterprise financial risk reporting, risk aggregation, management and board governance, and strategic risk initiatives, assessing whether financial risks are identified, measured, monitored, and escalated in accordance with regulatory expectations and internal policies. 
• Manage and develop a team of auditors to execute high-quality reviews of financial risk, enterprise risk, and lending-related processes and controls within prescribed timeframes. Provide coaching, feedback, and professional development to internal and co-sourced audit professionals. 
• Oversee quarterly and annual continuous monitoring and risk assessment activities across assigned risk stripes, including credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk, and capital management, to identify emerging risks, changes in risk profile, regulatory developments, and control environment trends that may require adjustments to audit coverage or the audit plan.
• Direct ongoing monitoring of key risk indicators, management reporting, committee materials, regulatory developments, audit and regulatory issues, significant incidents, and strategic initiatives, and assess whether developments warrant additional audit coverage, issue escalation, risk reassessment, or updates to the audit universe.
• Lead engagement with business and risk management stakeholders through governance forums, continuous monitoring meetings, and periodic reviews to maintain awareness of emerging risks, control changes, and regulatory expectations impacting the financial risk framework. 
• Evaluate the impact of continuous monitoring results on audit strategy and recommend risk-based changes to audit coverage, audit frequency, audit scope, and assurance activities where emerging risks or adverse trends are identified. Recommend continuous improvement practices in response to regulatory developments and changes in the risk environment
• Lead and conduct validation of remediation for regulatory findings and track and validate closure of issues raised by Internal Audit and regulators. 
• Lead or support special projects related to business process improvements, departmental strategic initiatives, and other priorities as assigned.
• Recommends continuous improvement practices based on new regulatory requirements.

Qualifications and Skills

• Minimum of 15 years of risk/audit experience in the banking and finance industry.
• Expert knowledge of financial and non-financial risk management and banking / capital markets products.
• Expert knowledge of risk related regulatory expectations Regulation YY, Leveraged Lending (SR 13-3), Counterparty Credit Risk (SR 11-10), and Risk Management Program (CFR 23.600).
• Expert knowledge of audit techniques, risk and internal controls assessment, and workpaper standards.
• Strong strategic thinking skills including the ability to identify and assess emerging risks.
• Ability to act as trusted advisor to senior management using discretion and sound judgment in identifying, analyzing, and reporting problems.
• Excellent communication, presentation and professional skills including the ability to interact effectively at all levels within the organization.
• Ability to lead teams; strong leadership skills; able to gain respect and cooperation
• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field. Advanced degree preferred

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