Head of Operational Risk & Resilience — Sygnum Bank

Full description

We are looking for a Head of Operational Risk & Resilience to lead the second-line operational risk function of the world's first regulated digital asset bank. Reporting directly to the Chief Risk Officer, you will own our operational risk framework end-to-end — and drive the bank's operational resilience agenda under FINMA Circular 2023/1 across our custody, trading, tokenisation and banking businesses. This is a hands-on leadership role in a lean, high-calibre risk function: you will set the direction, lead a small team, and personally deliver the substance that makes independent challenge credible — towards the business, the Group Executive Board and FINMA. Key responsibilities:

• Own and continuously develop the operational risk management framework: policy, RCSA methodology, incident and loss-data management, issue management, scenario analysis and integration with the bank's Risk Appetite Framework
• Lead the operational resilience programme under FINMA Circular 2023/1: critical function mapping, impact tolerances, scenario testing and second-line oversight of business continuity management
• Provide second-line oversight and challenge of outsourcing and third-party risk management in line with FINMA requirements, covering the bank's critical technology providers
• Own operational risk reporting: design and produce KRIs, integrated risk reports and committee papers for the Group Executive Board, Board risk committee, and for the Regulators
• Represent operational risk towards regulator, external and internal audit, including ownership of remediation items and regulatory submissions
• Lead, develop and prioritise a small team, and coordinate operational risk matters across group entities
• Drive the modernisation of the risk function's tooling, including AI-augmented approaches to reporting, KRI production and risk assessment documentation
• 8+ years of experience in operational or non-financial risk management within a regulated bank or financial institution, including several years in a leadership or senior second-line role
• Swiss regulatory environment strongly preferred
• Deep working knowledge of FINMA Circular 2023/1 (operational risks and resilience) and Swiss outsourcing requirements, with a track record of building or substantially uplifting an operational risk or resilience framework
• A hands-on “player-coach” profile: comfortable owning methodology and committee papers personally in a lean team, not only directing others
• Strong technology affinity and genuine interest in digital assets: able to engage credibly on custody infrastructure, key management, cloud and 24/7 market operations — crypto-curious, with banking discipline
• A credible challenger with the seniority and judgement to disagree constructively with first-line leaders and to stand alone in front of the Group Executive Board and the regulator — confidence without attitude
• Excellent written and spoken English
• German a strong advantage for the Swiss regulatory context Joining Sygnum means being part of a dynamic, global team that is building a trusted gateway between the traditional and digital asset economies. Working at Sygnum, you will experience our fast-paced, exciting work environment that embraces meritocracy and collaboration and open communication. Alongside our ambitious long-term mission, we also come together for reaching important milestones and annual crypto-industry anniversaries like Bitcoin Pizza Day, and regularly celebrate together at themed company events as part of our journey to shape Future Finance. Sygnum offers a comprehensive package of benefits for all team members. They include:
• Attractive combination of market salaries and entrepreneurial incentive scheme
• Flexible/Work at home policies
• Professional development via Mentoring and Buddy programs
• One-month fully paid sabbatical after five years of continuous employment If you are passionate about the potential of blockchain to shape Future Finance and your profile is a good fit for this position, please send us your CV today!