Operational Resilience Subject Matter Expert (SME) - Lead

Americas Risk Department

The Americas Risk Department, as a second line of defense organization, provides common risk management oversight and services to all businesses and legal entities across Mizuho U.S. Operations (MUSO). Effectively managing risk on a consistent and holistic basis is critical to Mizuho's success in the Americas and in meeting evolving regulatory expectations. The Non-Financial Risk (NFR) Team has built a repeatable and sustainable operational risk framework across the enterprise and is now expanding its focus to include dedicated oversight of Operational Resilience.

Position: Operational Resilience Lead

We are seeking an experienced Operational Resilience SME to join our NFR team as a key contributor to the second line of defense oversight of the bank's operational resilience. In this role, you will provide independent review and challenge of first line practices related to business continuity, disaster recovery, third-party resilience, and technology resilience. Your oversight will ensure that our operational resilience frameworks and controls are robust, align with regulatory expectations and industry best practices, and are continuously improved. This role offers an opportunity to shape and influence the firm's resilience posture while safeguarding the integrity of the enterprise-wide non-financial risk framework.

• Provide independent oversight of the bank's Operational Resilience framework by rigorously reviewing and challenging first line practices, including business continuity, disaster recovery, third-party resilience, and technology resilience controls.
  
• Evaluate first line self-assessments, process maps, and control evaluations to ensure comprehensive identification and treatment of resilience risks. Escalate significant or unresolved issues to senior leadership and governance committees for timely resolution.
  
• Validate proposed changes or enhancements to operational resilience policies and standards, ensuring alignment with regulatory guidance (e.g., BCBS Principles for Operational Resilience, Federal Reserve/OCC/FDIC guidance, UK PRA/FCA requirements) and industry best practices.
  
• Conduct independent deep dives and thematic reviews on resilience-related risk areas and track the remediation of identified gaps to drive continuous improvement.
  

• Implement continuous monitoring activities across the operational resilience domain using key risk indicators (KRIs), trend analysis, and performance metrics to assess the effectiveness of the control environment.
  
• Review and validate the design, thresholds, and escalation protocols of resilience metrics to ensure they align with the firm's risk appetite and regulatory expectations.
  
• Independently assess the impact of significant resilience events or near-misses, collaborating with NFR leadership to identify root causes and systemic improvements.
  
• Recommend strategic enhancements to the operational resilience control framework where gaps or emerging risks are identified, ensuring robust and forward-looking resilience capabilities.
  

• Represent NFR in operational resilience governance forums, committees, and working groups, providing an independent perspective and documenting observations, recommendations, and concerns.
  
• Support internal and external examinations by preparing evidence of robust operational resilience oversight. Contribute to the development of effective remediation strategies and communicate insights on emerging regulatory trends.
  
• Prepare and deliver clear, concise reports and presentations for senior management and regulatory stakeholders on operational resilience risks, oversight findings, and control enhancements.
  

• Collaborate with other risk and control functions (e.g., Compliance, IT Risk, Cybersecurity) to provide a comprehensive view of resilience risks and ensure consistent application of oversight standards across risk domains.
  
• Facilitate cross-functional dialogue with first line teams to clarify risk ownership, challenge resilience improvement plans, and support maturity uplift initiatives while maintaining independent oversight.
  
• Monitor emerging resilience practices, technologies, and regulatory requirements, advising the organization on potential impacts and necessary adjustments to the operational resilience framework.
  
• Champion a culture of operational resilience awareness by providing constructive feedback and sharing best practices across the organization.
  

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business Continuity, Risk Management, Information Technology, or a related field.
  
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience in operational resilience, business continuity, disaster recovery, or related fields within financial services.
  
• Direct experience in a second line, audit, compliance, or oversight role focused on operational resilience is strongly preferred.
  
• In-depth knowledge of risk management processes, resilience control environments, and relevant regulatory frameworks.
  
• Relevant professional certifications such as Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP), Certified Resilience Professional (CRP), or ISO 22301 Lead Implementer are highly desirable.
  
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and risk assessment capabilities focused on resilience scenarios.
  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present complex resilience concepts to senior stakeholders in a clear, business-oriented manner.
  
• Proven ability to independently challenge first line practices and drive improvements in operational resilience controls.
  
• Strong understanding of Corporate and Investment Banking as well as Capital Markets.
  
• Strong project management skills with the agility to manage shifting priorities and respond to emerging risks.
  
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and PowerPoint, for effective risk reporting and executive communications.
  
• Highly motivated, self-directed individual with the ability to work independently while creating an independent oversight program within the NFR framework.
  
• A leader and a relationship builder with the ability to have difficult conversations while maintaining constructive partnerships.
  
• High ethical standards, sound judgment, and a commitment to continuous improvement.