Our client, a Dublin based Credit Union, is seeking to recruit a Risk and Compliance Officer. The role provides an excellent opportunity in managing the risk and compliance function and supporting the embedding of the Data Protection culture in the credit union. The Role The Risk & Compliance Officer will be accountable for the management, implementation and embedding of all aspects of risk and compliance in accordance with the regulations and the credit unions policies, will be responsible for identifying, assessing, reporting, monitoring, and managing all internal and externalrisksthat could affect the credit union, and assisting the CEO and Board with managing and mitigating thoserisks and provide assurance to the Board of Directors and the CEO that the credit union is compliant with legal and regulatory frameworks laid down by the regulators, legislation, and statutory and professional bodies. Key Responsibilities The key responsibilities include: Leading the updating and implementation of risk management frameworks, policies, processes, tools and GDPR plan Defining and leading the governance of risk frameworks and risk measurement and reporting methodologies Acting as primary contact for the Board of Directors for all governance, business, project risk issues, Data Protection matters, and GDPR requirements Developing a Risk Management Plan with the approval of the Board of Directors and ensuring it is beingfulfilled Promoting a culture of risk management throughout the organisation throug9h the provision of risk specific training and guidance Monitoring the external environmental and wider credit union sector for changes that will present environmental risks to the credit union. Developing and documenting the compliance policy, and annual compliance plan Implementing the annual compliance plan including systems and controls to ensure the credit union complies with statutory and regulatory requirements and guidance Provide input into any new policies, new projects, services or products regarding Data Protection requirements Ensuring sufficient training is being undertaken to ensure that all officers have the necessary knowledge to comply with their statutory and regulatory requirements Establishing and assessing systems of control for compliance issues within the credit union Overseeing compliance controls through audit, inspections, testing, etc. Investigating and reporting cases of non-compliance/compliance exceptions and breaches to the Board of Directors and the CEO, and ensuring adequate records are kept and maintained by the credit union around compliance Updating the compliance policy and plan to take account of new or updated compliance requirements (including new or updated legal and regulatory requirements and guidance), new products and services, material modifications to existing products and services and major management initiatives Supporting directors, the CEO and management in meeting their compliance requirements Liaising with the regulators on compliance issues Board The Risk and Compliance Officer will provide support to the Board and ARC Committee including training and mentoring and helpful guidance to support the Directors with their governance role. Reporting The Risk and Compliance Officer will be a member of the management team of the credit union and be accountable to the CEO and the Board, with day-to-day reporting to the CEO and performance management by the CEO. Controlled Function This position is a controlled function (CUCF-1) within the Central Bank of Irelands fitness and probity regime. Person Requirements The successful candidate will possess a third level qualification and hold a relevant professional qualification in areas such as accountancy/audit, business, legal, risk management, compliance, or other relevant disciplines. Specific qualifications, which are desirable, but are not essential, include the Professional Certificate in Credit Union Risk and Compliance or the Professional Certificate in Conduct Risk, Culture and Operational Risk Management or equivalent. The successful candidate will be highly analytical and logical, and with the capacity to communicate a secure vision and take ownership of the credit unions risk management and compliance plan and delivery. They will utilise their aptitude for analytical thinking, including the ability to research, resolve problems, report findings, identify solutions, and implement resolutions, through interaction with credit union employees, the senior management team, the CEO, the Risk Management Committee, and the Board of Directors. The successful candidate will have significant operational and organisational experience and relevant experience in risk and compliance management, preferably in the financial services, banking, or credit union sectors. Relevant experience in risk and compliance management from other fields will be considered where the candidate has demonstrated a strong experience and aptitude for risk and compliance management. A minimum 3 years in a risk and compliance management role is required. Significant experience in financial services would be ideal but is not essential as experience in other regulated sectors will be strongly considered. Other skills and abilities, which are required, include: The ability to interpret and disseminate the impact and requirements of new laws and regulations Have expertise in Irish and EU DP legislation to include an in-depth understanding on GDPR Strong business sense and understanding of the evolving credit union business model Strong project management skills, possess the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously, and have the ability to work on own initiative and to meet deadlines Ability to assure that the risk direction and priorities are aligned with business strategies Ability to foster risk and compliance management as a core competency throughout the credit union and facilitate risk and compliance training within the credit union Highly computer literate, dedicated and flexible Highly analytical and flexible, with the capacity to communicate a secure vision and take ownership of enterprise risk management initiatives Ability to influence, persuade and gain buy-in without the need to rely on authority or a fear-based approach citing the law or the Central Bank Knowledge and experience of GDPR and the Data Protection regulations in financial services would be an advantage. Contract Duration and Hours This is a full-time, permanent role. Flexible hours can be agreed to meet work and life needs. In their role in supporting the Board, the Risk and Compliance Officer will be required to attend monthly Board meetings and ARC Committee meetings in-person, with online attendance facilitated on occasion. Salary & Benefits The credit union will offer salary and benefits commensurate with the role and the marketplace. Salary is negotiable DOE. Location / Hybrid The role can be based at the Drumcondra office or hybrid. Confidential Enquiry If you would like to have a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please call Sarah Kinsella on or email at Skills: (risk) (compliance) (data protection)