Assistant Manager, Operational Risk

Equity Bank is seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Assistant Manager, Operational Risk to join its Risk Management division. In this pivotal role, you will be at the forefront of safeguarding the bank's operations by developing and strengthening its operational risk management framework. You will work closely with senior management, business units, and risk committees to ensure that risks arising from internal processes, people, systems, and external events are proactively identified, assessed, and mitigated.

This is an excellent opportunity for a risk professional who thrives in a dynamic banking environment and is passionate about building a culture of risk awareness. You will play a critical role in ensuring the bank remains compliant with Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) regulations and international standards such as Basel II/III, while also supporting business continuity and resilience initiatives across the organisation.

• Develop, implement, and continuously enhance the operational risk management framework, policies, and procedures in alignment with CBK regulations and global best practices including Basel II/III, COSO, and ISO 31000.
• Monitor and report key operational risk exposures and emerging trends to senior management and risk committees on a regular basis.
• Design and conduct Risk Control Self-Assessments (RCSAs) across all business units, ensuring comprehensive coverage of risk areas.
• Define and track Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) to enable continuous and proactive monitoring of operational risk exposures.
• Analyse operational risk events, determine root causes, and propose actionable mitigation strategies to reduce incident recurrence.
• Establish, maintain, and manage an operational risk event reporting system and loss database.
• Investigate risk incidents and near-miss events, extract lessons learned, and recommend control improvements to prevent future occurrences.
• Support the development and implementation of Business Continuity Plans (BCP) and disaster recovery strategies to ensure organisational resilience.
• Contribute to crisis management planning, enabling the bank to respond effectively to operational disruptions.
• Design and deliver training programmes and awareness campaigns on operational risk management for staff across all levels.
• Champion a risk-aware culture through workshops, knowledge-sharing sessions, and internal communications.
• Prepare accurate and insightful operational risk reports for presentation to senior management, risk committees, and regulators.
• Track and follow up on corrective actions arising from risk assessments, audit findings, and incident reviews to ensure timely resolution.

• Must be able to design and operationalise a risk management framework aligned to Basel II/III, COSO, and ISO 31000 standards within a banking environment.
• Must demonstrate the ability to conduct RCSAs, manage risk event databases, and translate findings into practical control improvements.
• Must be capable of interpreting CBK regulatory guidelines and embedding compliance requirements into day-to-day risk processes.
• Must be able to analyse complex risk data, identify trends, and communicate findings clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Must have hands-on experience managing operational risk incidents, including root cause analysis and follow-through on remediation actions.
• Must be able to support and coordinate BCP testing, disaster recovery exercises, and crisis response activities.
• Must demonstrate strong stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to influence business unit leaders on risk matters without direct authority.
• A Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Risk Management, or a related field is required.
• At least 3–5 years of experience in operational risk management, internal audit, or compliance within the banking or financial services sector.
• Professional certifications such as CRISC, FRM, PRM, FRR, or ORM are a distinct added advantage.

Equity Bank offers a competitive remuneration package commensurate with experience and qualifications. Based on market benchmarks for this role and seniority level in the Kenyan banking sector, the estimated monthly gross salary ranges between KES 150,000 and KES 250,000. The bank also provides a comprehensive benefits package typical of a top-tier financial institution.

• Medical insurance cover for employee and dependants
• Performance-based bonus
• Professional development and certification support
• Staff banking benefits including preferential loan rates

This role is ideal for a mid-level risk professional with a solid grounding in operational risk within the banking or financial services sector. You are someone who combines strong analytical capability with excellent communication skills, and who can work independently while influencing cross-functional teams. You are process-driven, deadline-conscious, and passionate about building robust risk frameworks that protect both the bank and its customers.

Please do not apply if you have fewer than 3 years of direct experience in operational risk, internal audit, or compliance within a regulated financial institution, or if you do not have a strong working knowledge of risk management frameworks such as Basel II/III or RCSA methodologies. This role requires someone who can hit the ground running with minimal supervision.

• Prepare an updated CV clearly highlighting your operational risk experience, key achievements, and any relevant professional certifications.
• Write a concise cover letter outlining why you are the ideal candidate for this role and how your experience aligns with the key responsibilities.
• Submit your application through Equity Bank's official careers portal or the job platform where this role was advertised.
• Ensure your application is complete before submission — incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Due to the volume of applications expected, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage of the recruitment process.