Global First Line Business Continuity Lead

It Starts Here:

Santander is a global leader and innovator in the financial services industry and is evolving from a high-impact brand into a technology-driven organization. Our people are at the heart of this journey and together, we are driving a customer-centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what’s possible. This is more than a strategic shift. It’s a chance for driven professionals to grow, learn, and make a real difference.

The Executive Director of Global First Line Business Continuity will lead Global CIB COO Business Continuity in close partnership with First Line Operational Risk and Resilience functions, establishing a consistent global approach to non-financial risk management across CIB. The role is accountable for defining, governing, and continuously improving the global framework for business continuity, risk identification, recovery planning, incident response, and risk oversight.

• Lead the global Business Continuity Management framework, including Business Impact Analysis, recovery planning, continuity strategy, testing oversight, and evidence-based governance reporting

• Oversee first-line operational risk activities, including risk identification, assessment, mitigation, monitoring, issue escalation, and alignment with internal standards and applicable regulatory expectations

• Strengthen transparency, accountability, and consistency across global non-financial risk management practices, with clear linkage to critical services, controls, remediation activities, and audit/regulatory outcomes

• Maintain global accountability while ensuring appropriate alignment with U.S. regulatory, operational, and remediation priorities and applicable global standards

• Engage with senior business leaders, control functions, auditors, regulators, and governance committees to provide clear status reporting, escalate material risks, and support timely decision-making

• Partner with relevant global teams to promote consistent framework design, adoption, execution, and continuous improvement across jurisdictions and functions

To perform this role successfully, the individual should bring the leadership, judgment, and technical expertise required to own global first-line frameworks and execution across multiple jurisdictions and functions. The role requires sound independent judgment, strong stakeholder management, and the ability to balance strategic oversight with detailed execution. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role, consistent with applicable law and company policy.

• Bachelor's degree in a related field, or equivalent demonstrated through a combination of work experience, training, military service, and/or education

• Significant leadership experience in business continuity, operational risk management, non-financial risk, risk governance, regulatory remediation, audit management, or a related control or COO function

• Strong knowledge of Business Impact Analysis, continuity planning, recovery strategy, risk assessment, risk mitigation, incident response, issue management, governance reporting, and control execution

• Ability to establish and govern global frameworks while ensuring consistent execution of internal standards, control expectations, and applicable regulatory requirements

• Experience operating in a regulated financial services environment, with demonstrated ability to engage effectively with senior management, control functions, auditors, and regulators

• Demonstrated ability to influence across a matrixed global organization, including teams and stakeholders across multiple jurisdictions, time zones, and cultures

• Strong executive communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, concise, and decision-oriented materials for senior management and governance forums

• Ability to manage financials, headcount, priorities, and delivery commitments across both business-as-usual activities and transformation initiatives

• Proven experience leading large-scale change, process improvement, or transformation initiatives while maintaining effective control discipline and operational execution

• Management consulting, program management, or facilitation experience, including the ability to lead complex discussions with senior stakeholders

• Experience mentoring and developing team members, strengthening succession depth, and building high-performing teams

• Experience translating regulatory guidance, audit findings, or internal standards into practical implementation plans and sustainable operating practices

• Spanish language proficiency or experience working with Spanish-speaking stakeholders, where relevant to global stakeholder engagement

• No Certifications listed for this job.

• Established work history or equivalent demonstrated through a combination of work experience, training,…