FVP/SVP-Operational Risk Manager

Since 1973, East West Bank has served as a pathway to success. With over 110 locations across the U.S. and Asia, we are the premier financial bridge between the East and West. Our teams of experienced, multi-cultural professionals help guide businesses and community members on both sides of the Pacific looking to explore new markets and create new opportunities, and our sustained growth and expertise in industries like real estate, entertainment and media, private equity and venture capital, and high-tech help build sustainable businesses and expand our associates’ potential for career advancement. 

Headquartered in California, East West Bank (Nasdaq: EWBC) is a top-performing commercial bank with a strong foundation, an enterprising spirit and a commitment to absolute integrity. East West Bank gives people the confidence to reach further.

We are seeking an experienced risk leader to play a critical leadership role within the Hong Kong branch of East West Bank. This role has primary accountability for operational risk management and risk governance, ensuring alignment with HKMA Supervisory Policy Manual (SPM) requirements on risk management, while also driving consistent adoption of US enterprise risk management (ERM) standards. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced operational risk leader to take a hands-on approach to apply their expertise across a diverse range of businesses, including Private Banking, Corporate Banking, Global Markets, and Investment Banking, supporting business growth while strengthening resilience in a dynamic and evolving franchise.

The role operates within a lean risk team, requiring a hands‑on leader with strong judgment, adaptability, and a genuine eagerness to grow with the platform.

• Own and oversee the Hong Kong branch’s operational risk management framework, ensuring it is robust, proportionate, and fully aligned with HKMA SPM and Enterprise Policies, Standards and Methodologies.
• Lead the execution and continuous enhancement of core operational risk processes, including:
  • Risk and Control Self‑Assessments (RCSA)
  • Operational risk event and incident (including technology incidents) identification, escalation, classification, and reporting
  • Issue identification, root cause analysis, remediation tracking, and closure validation
  • Key Risk Indicator (KRI) design, implementation, challenge, and monitoring
  • Policy governance, local applicability assessments, and exceptions management
  • Enterprise risk taxonomies and reporting expectations
• Provide independent and constructive challenge to the business and support functions on operational risk exposures, control effectiveness, and remediation quality.
• Translate policy and regulatory requirements into practical, risk‑based practices appropriate to the branch’s size, complexity, and business mix.
• Support supervisory reviews and interactions relating to operational risk management and other emerging risks such as Climate Risk Management, including preparation of materials and oversight of remediation actions.
• Serve as a key Hong Kong‑to‑US liaison for operational risk matters, ensuring insightful reporting and timely escalation of material risks and issues.
• Support the effective operation of branch risk governance forums, including agenda setting, materials preparation, action tracking, and follow‑up.
• Contribute to the ongoing enhancement of the branch’s operational resilience and risk culture, promoting transparency, accountability, and timely escalation.

Special Projects & Regulatory Initiatives:

• Headquarters Projects: Lead and coordinate special risk projects requested by Headquarters, including group-wide initiatives, system implementations, and global policy rollouts.
• Regulatory Engagement: Manage and execute ad-hoc projects mandated by local regulators (HKMA) or internal/external audits, such as regulatory reviews, remediation plans, or control enhancements.
• Process Improvement: Drive continuous improvement projects for risk methodologies, data quality, and reporting automation to enhance the overall efficiency of the risk function.

• 12–15+ years of experience in operational risk management or non‑financial risk within banking or professional services.
• Strong, practical experience with Operational Risk Management requirements and supervisory expectations.
• Solid understanding of global/ regional ERM and operational risk frameworks, with experience implementing home‑office standards in an international or branch context.
• Proven expertise in issue management, operational risk events and incidents, KRIs, and policy governance.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound, proportionate risk judgment in complex, cross‑business environments.
• Confident engaging with and challenging senior stakeholders while maintaining collaborative relationships.
• Hands‑on, agile, and self‑motivated, with a strong sense of ownership and follow‑through.
• Comfortable working in a lean structure, balancing strategic thinking with detailed execution.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate complex operational risk concepts into clear, actionable insights.
• Proficient in Excel / Macro /SQL / Python etc. will be a definite advantage.