Chief Risk Officer

Banking
Full Time
Senior Management
Published on 27/02/2026
On Premises
Malta

Job Description

Overview

Join the Team at Lidion Bank!

The Chief Risk Officer (CRO) is a key member of the Executive Committee and a principal advisor to the CEO, the Board and Risk Committee. The CRO leads the design and continuous evolution of the Bank-wide risk management framework, ensuring sound governance across all risk categories — credit, market, liquidity, operational, regulatory, and strategic.

The CRO fosters a forward-looking, data-driven risk culture that supports prudent growth, strategic decision-making, and resilience under the Bank’s defined risk appetite. The role provides independent, objective challenge to management and ensures the Bank operates in full alignment with EU regulatory standards, including CRD/CRR, EBA guidelines, MFSA rules/regulations and CBM directives, and other best practices for regulated institutions .

Primary Responsibilities

  • Lead the development and execution of the Bank’s Risk Management Framework and Risk Appetite Framework, ensuring integration with strategic planning and capital allocation.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for the Board and/or Risk Committee on strategic risk matters, providing insights on emerging risks, systemic trends, and risk-return trade-offs.
  • Provide independent challenge and guidance to senior management, fostering balanced risk-taking and disciplined decision-making.
  • Drive continuous enhancement of risk governance, frameworks, and policies in line with changing regulatory and market conditions.
  • Ensure robust oversight of all material risk types, including credit, operational, market, liquidity, regulatory, and strategic risk.
  • Own critical frameworks and reports such as ICAAP, ILAAP, Recovery Plan, IRRBB, and stress testing.  
  • Oversee the development and application of advanced risk models, early warning indicators, and scenario analysis to strengthen resilience.
  • Act as the Bank’s principal liaison with supervisory authorities as applicable (MFSA, FIAU) and auditors on all risk-related matters.
  • Oversee all risk‑related regulatory submissions, supervisory interactions, and remediation programmes, ensuring their timely and high‑quality execution in alignment with the firm’s risk management framework.
  • Anticipate and interpret regulatory developments, advising the CEO ,Board and Risk Committee on their strategic implications. 
  • Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing Risk Department 
  • Build a proactive, collaborative risk culture that promotes accountability, transparency, and cross-functional engagement.
  • Ensure the function is equipped with robust tools, systems, and analytical capabilities to deliver forward-looking insights.
  • Drive Bank-wide risk awareness through tailored communication, education, and leadership engagement.
  • Oversee the production of executive and Board-level risk dashboards and risk reports
  • Strengthen risk data governance, automation, and consistency across all reporting streams.
  • Ensure timely escalation and effective management of material risk exposures.

Employee Centric Benefits at Lidion Bank -Benefits designed to be used, not just listed.

Lidion Bank's Employee-Centric Benefits Scheme provides a personalised annual package designed to support your lifestyle, wellbeing, and long-term security. This package can be used across a wide range of benefits, including gym memberships, parking, food plans, mobile expenses, various insurances, travel, as well as unique perks like hobby contributions, paid volunteer days, and pet care. 

We also invest in your long-term financial wellbeing through Private Pension Contributions by contributing towards your Voluntary Occupational Pension Scheme (VOPs) plan, helping you build stronger foundations for the future.

Work Flexibility

We believe that strong collaboration and team culture thrive through in-person interaction, and we remain an onsite-first organisation. At the same time, we recognise the importance of flexibility in today’s work environment.

Employees can request to work from home through our HR system , and such requests are generally supported where business needs allow. However, given the nature of our operations, onsite presence is required for key meetings, team activities, and other critical business needs. Flexibility is provided as a benefit, not as a fixed entitlement, and is balanced with the Bank’s commitment to maintaining a collaborative office-based culture.

Requirements
  • Strong strategic and analytical mindset, with the ability to challenge, advise, and influence executive decisions.

  • Deep knowledge of EU banking regulations, including CRD/CRR, EBA guidelines, Banking Act and MFSA Banking Rules.

  • Deep knowledge of ICAAP, ILAAP, Recovery frameworks, Stress Testing, ECL Modelling and DORA.

  • High integrity, sound judgement, and commitment to independent risk oversight.

  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including Board-level interaction.

  • Proven leadership in managing and developing high-performing teams.

  • Ability to balance risk discipline with practical business enablement.

Education and Experience
  • A minimum of 15 years of experience in financial services, with at least 5 years in a senior risk leadership role.

  • Must meet the requirements to be approved (PQEd) by the MFSA, or have previously held such approval.

  • Strong expertise in credit risk, operational risk, and regulatory risk within a regulated EU banking environment.

  • Degree in Risk Management, Banking, Finance, Economics, or a related field.

  • Professional certifications (e.g., FRM, CFA, PRM) are considered an asset.

  • Proven experience interacting with regulators and managing supervisory processes.