Global Head of 1st Line Risk

About Columbia Threadneedle Investments

Working at Columbia Threadneedle Investments you'll find growth and career opportunities across all of our businesses. We are intentionally built to help you succeed. With a global team of 2,300 people, more than 550 investment professionals and expertise across all major asset classes, we provide clients with a broad array of investment strategies and bespoke solutions. Our strong financial foundation connects each enterprise business – Ameriprise Financial, Columbia Threadneedle Investments and River Source Insurance and Annuities – and underpins a unified risk management approach.

Accountable for the delivery of first‑line operational and regulatory risk management across all business areas. Lead a team of first‑line risk managers and analysts, communicate with senior leadership, and provide inputs to risk management strategy and objectives. Ensure an integrated risk framework, proactive risk identification, continuous control improvement, and issue mitigation.

• Manage a global 1st Line Risk team to ensure risks, processes and control activities that cross functional responsibilities are properly considered and allocated.
• Drive operational soundness on a cross‑functional basis, ensuring consistency of adoption of standards across CTI and supporting staff groups.
• Lead the development of risk management strategies that identify, quantify and mitigate risk within the business, providing expertise and influence.
• Document inherent risks, controls and residual risks per the RCSA process.
• Ensure ISAE and SOC1 testing is performed and submitted to external audit timelines.
• Identify and review control inventories/maps/KRIs from a first line perspective.
• Lead the Operational Resilience program in the UK in collaboration with Enterprise Resilience and BCP partners.
• Own select policies and procedures and recommend updates as required.

Provide risk and controls thought leadership across functions alongside second‑line risk. Drive consistency in the application of the operational risk framework to enhance risk identification and reporting.

• Manage complex risk incidents, ensuring thorough communication, timely remediation, root cause analysis, and ownership of resulting controls.
• Evaluate internal risk trends and leverage industry knowledge to recommend actionable solutions.
• Oversee the first line testing of ISAE controls and ensure effective remedial actions.
• Own the ISAE 3402 report, including scope definition and reporting accountant management.
• Manage the integration of multiple ISAE reports.

Oversee the Business control meeting outputs with appropriate follow‑ups on critical items and contribute to risk forums on risk thematics.

Benchmark industry‑wide data, stay updated on trends, best practices and concerns, and maintain knowledge of Risk/Compliance guidance.

• Deep risk/control knowledge and expertise, with a thorough understanding of current techniques in operational risk management and control.
• Analytical skills: assess multiple data points to develop an actionable plan aligned with business objectives.
• Program management: implement mechanisms and oversee business unit deliverables relative to the control environment.
• Governance: design, establish, and oversee an integrated governance framework supporting business unit heads.
• Influence: influence stakeholders to deliver on operational risk responsibilities through strong thought leadership.
• Experience in operational risk, controls, business management or audit.

Our culture is client‑centric and relationship‑based. Employees work in the office at least four (4) days per week, with flexibility to work from home one (1) day per week. Some roles may require additional in‑office time, and specific requirements will be discussed during the hiring process.

Full‑time, permanent role in the Business Support & Operations job family group.

Columbia Threadneedle is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to racial or ethnic background, religion or belief, sex or gender, nationality, genetic information, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, or any other basis prohibited by law.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for individuals with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to aid your participation in the application or interview process, speak to your recruiter to discuss how we can support you.