Operations Risk Director (Payments & Card Issuing)

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Operational Risk Director to strengthen our risk management capability across our payments and card issuing business. This role is responsible for identifying, assessing, monitoring, and mitigating operational risks, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting sustainable business growth. You will work closely with cross-functional teams including Operations, Technology, Compliance and Product to embed a strong risk culture and robust control environment.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Risk Management

• Maintain the Operational Risk Management Framework (ORMF) aligned with MAS regulations and industry best practices
• Identify and assess operational risks across payment processing, card issuing lifecycle, and customer operations
• Maintain and enhance risk & control self-assessments (RCSA) and risk registers
• Define and monitor Key Risk Indicators (KRIs), ensuring timely escalation of risk events

Incident & Issue Management

• Manage operational risk incidents, including root cause analysis and remediation tracking
• Ensure proper documentation, reporting, and closure of issues
• Track loss events and support internal reporting and external regulatory obligations

Process & Control Improvements

• Review business processes and identify control gaps and improvement opportunities
• Drive implementation of controls and monitor effectiveness
• Collaborate with Product and Tech teams on new product launches, system changes, and risk assessments

Regulatory & Compliance Support

• Ensure adherence to Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) guidelines, including Technology Risk Management (TRM) and Outsourcing guidelines
• Support regulatory audits, internal audits, and thematic reviews
• Prepare risk-related reports for senior management and governance committees

Third-Party Risk Management

• Assess and monitor risks related to vendors, payment partners, and outsourced service providers
• Conduct due diligence, risk assessments, and ongoing monitoring

Risk Culture & Awareness

• Promote a strong risk-aware culture across the organization
• Conduct training sessions and provide guidance to business stakeholders

Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Risk Management, or related discipline
• 5–10 years of experience in operational risk, preferably within payments, fintech, or banking/card issuing environments
• Strong knowledge of payments ecosystem (e.g., card schemes, acquiring, issuing, settlement processes)

Technical Skills

• Solid understanding of Operational Risk frameworks (RCSA, KRI, incident management)
• Familiarity with MAS regulations, especially TRM and Outsourcing guidelines
• Experience in process mapping, control design, and risk assessments
• Knowledge of fraud risk, cyber risk, and technology risk is advantageous

Soft Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication abilities
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic fintech environment
• Detail-oriented with a strong sense of accountability