About this role:
Wells Fargo is seeking an experienced dynamic and pragmatic Lead Compliance & Operational Risk Officer (Vice President) to join the International Horizontal Aligned Compliance and Operational Risk (HACOR) team. Based in Ireland or United Kingdom, the role provides independent oversight, challenge and advisory support on International Third Party and Change Management horizontal risks in relation to compliance and operational risk matters. International scope includes Wells Fargo EMEA, APAC, and Americas legal entities and related compliance / operational risk requirements.
The role operates within a highly matrixed global environment requiring close engagement with relevant Enterprise Risk Type and Operational Risk Business Oversight (ORBO) teams, regional and enterprise front-line teams, International Business Aligned Compliance and Operational Risk (BACOR) and Legal Entity Compliance and Operational Risk (LECOR) teams.
As a part of Wells Fargo’s second line of defence and Independent Risk Management team, covers jobs responsible for establishing, implementing, and maintaining risk standards and programs to ensure compliance with federal, state, agency, legal, regulatory, and Corporate Policy requirements, while also providing governance, oversight, and credible challenge of operational risk exposures and risk management practices arising from inadequate or failed internal processes, people, systems, or external events.
In this role, you will:
Operate as the International Subject Matter Expert (SME) and trusted advisor for senior management and stakeholders with a primary focus on Third Party and Change Management horizontal risks, supported by a comprehensive understanding of Investment Banking and Products.
Provide technical regulatory compliance and operational risk advice and challenge to stakeholders on horizontal risks, including but not limited to regional and enterprise front-line teams, International BACOR and LECOR teams.
Establish effective engagement with Enterprise Risk Type and ORBO teams to ensure enterprise horizontal risks impacting International are understood and appropriately assessed.
Ensure effective International horizontal risk management and compliance with firm policies, leveraging a strong understanding of Third Party and Change Management frameworks, controls, and governance.
Support change implementation, leveraging a strong understanding of the International Third Party and Change Management risk regulatory environment.
Work with Enterprise Risk Type and ORBO teams to build the International horizontal risk profile and ensure adequate legal entity oversight in compliance with regulatory requirements. (e.g. WFBI). Ensure that relevant cascaded Risk Appetite and Key Risk Indicators are appropriate and calibrated at the legal entity level.
Utilise AI tools to identify and manage risk and drive data-driven risk outcomes with senior stakeholders. Provide timely and relevant horizontal risk profile insights across teams, legal entities, and lines of business.
Proactively identify emerging horizontal risk concerns (escalating to senior management as required) and work with stakeholders to ensure timely and appropriate resolution.
Demonstrate collaboration and influencing skills across senior stakeholders with proven ability to manage multiple priorities effectively with a risk manager mindset.
Drive efficiency and actively seek opportunities for process improvements, focusing on areas of heightened risk. Provide thought leadership on continuous enhancement opportunities.
Provide oversight and monitoring of business group Compliance & Operational Risk based programs
Maintain Compliance & Operational Risk expertise and consulting for projects and initiatives with moderate to high risk, over multiple business lines
Establish, implement and maintain Compliance & Operational Risk standards and programs to drive compliance with federal, state, agency, legal and regulatory and Corporate Policy requirements
Oversee the Front Line's execution and challenges appropriately on Compliance & Operational Risk related decisions
Develop, oversee, and provide independent credible challenge to standards with subject matter expertise
Provide direction to the business on developing corrective action plans and effectively managing regulatory change
Report findings and make recommendations to management and appropriate committees
Identify and recommend opportunities for process improvement and Compliance & Operational Risk control development
Receive direction from leaders and exercise independent judgment while developing the knowledge to understand function, policies, procedures, and compliance & operational risk requirements
Monitor the reporting, escalation, and timely remediation of issues, deficiencies or regulatory matters regarding Compliance & Operational Risk management
Oversee the Front Line's execution and challenges appropriately on Compliance & Operational Risk related decisions
Make decisions and resolve issues to meet business objectives
Interpret policies, procedures, and Compliance & Operational Risk requirements
Collaborate and consult with peers, colleagues and managers to resolve issues and achieve goals
Work with complex business units, rules and regulations on moderate to high Compliance & Operational Risk compliance matters
Interface with Audit, Legal, external agencies, and regulatory bodies on risk related topics
Technical skills
Extensive experience in Compliance and/or Operational Risk at leading international financial services firm(s).
Technical knowledge of Third Party and Change Management risks and practical business impact.
Strong understanding of operational risk management frameworks, in particular horizontal risk management, with specific exposure to Third Party and Change Management risk management and metrics.
Extensive experience designing and executing advisory compliance and operational risk programs, including business line relevant regulatory change management, risk identification and assessment processes, issue management, new product/business review, complaint handling, monitoring and reporting, policy development and training.
Clear understanding of the market and regulatory environment in which Wells Fargo International operates, including relevant sectors, countries, products, and clients.
Deep understanding of the ever-evolving governance and regulatory environments as well as industry and operational risk and compliance risk-related best practices.
Strong analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to connect complex topics and formulate data driven risk outcomes.
Able to communicate effectively and confidently, orally and in writing at all levels of the organization, and capable of distilling complex processes in concise and simple ways.
Required Qualifications:
Experience in Compliance, Operational Risk, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, education.
Values
Client Focus - demonstrates clear understanding of importance of effective customer service (internal and external clients).
Trust - demonstrates high standards of integrity and openness.
Teamwork - demonstrates ability to work effectively as a member of a team, a collaborative style and understands the value of diversity.
"Outperformance" – regularly exceeds the expectations of others and the role.
Core Competencies
Building Organizational Talent - attracting, developing, and retaining talented individuals. Providing timely coaching, guidance, and feedback to help others maximize their potential and meet key accountabilities. Using appropriate methods and interpersonal styles to develop, motivate and guide a team toward successful outcomes and attainment of business objectives.
Change Leadership - continuously seeking (or encouraging others to seek) opportunities for different and innovative approaches to addressing organizational problems and opportunities and transforming a function.
Global Acumen - developing and incorporating an understanding of the competitive global business environment as well as an awareness of economic, social, and political trends that impact Wells Fargo's global strategy.
Developing Strategic Relationships - using appropriate interpersonal styles and communication methods to influence, collaborate and build effective relationships with senior business partners.
Client Orientation - cultivating strategic client relationships and ensuring that the client perspective is the driving force behind all value-added business activities.
Driving Execution - translating strategy into operational reality. Breaking down strategic priorities or business initiatives into key tasks and identifying accountabilities. Aligning communication, people, culture, processes, resources, and systems to ensure effective implementation and delivery of required results.
Posting End Date:
30 Jul 2026*Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.
We Value Equal Opportunity
Wells Fargo is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Employees support our focus on building strong customer relationships balanced with a strong risk mitigating and compliance-driven culture which firmly establishes those disciplines as critical to the success of our customers and company. They are accountable for execution of all applicable risk programs (Credit, Market, Financial Crimes, Operational, Regulatory Compliance), which includes effectively following and adhering to applicable Wells Fargo policies and procedures, appropriately fulfilling risk and compliance obligations, timely and effective escalation and remediation of issues, and making sound risk decisions. There is emphasis on proactive monitoring, governance, risk identification and escalation, as well as making sound risk decisions commensurate with the business unit’s risk appetite and all risk and compliance program requirements.
Candidates applying to job openings posted in Canada: Applications for employment are encouraged from all qualified candidates, including women, persons with disabilities, aboriginal peoples and visible minorities. Accommodation for applicants with disabilities is available upon request in connection with the recruitment process.
Applicants with Disabilities
To request a medical accommodation during the application or interview process, visit Disability Inclusion at Wells Fargo.
Drug and Alcohol Policy
Wells Fargo maintains a drug free workplace. Please see our Drug and Alcohol Policy to learn more.
Wells Fargo Recruitment and Hiring Requirements:
a. Third-Party recordings are prohibited unless authorized by Wells Fargo.
b. Wells Fargo requires you to directly represent your own experiences during the recruiting and hiring process.