Chief risk officer

Head of Risk Control” as a member of the management board ( Geschäftsleiter (m/f/x)) at a German payment institution – KAS Europe
Kroll Agency and Trustee Services ( KATS ), part of the Kroll group’s business services, provides independent, conflict-free, third-party agency and trustee services. Servicing the bond and loan markets, KATS has developed its strong reputation by providing proactive and bespoke services to its clients. As part of the Kroll group’s strategic expansion, KATS is establishing and scaling its German agency platform. a German limited liability company currently applying for an authorisation as a payment institution within the meaning of the German Payment Services Supervisory Act ( Zahlungsdiensteaufsichtsgesetz – ZAG ) from the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority ( Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – BaFin ). Within this context, KAS Europe is looking for a “Head of Risk Control” who will simultaneously be appointed as a member of KAS Europe’s management board ( Geschäftsleiter (m/f/x)) and hold the position of a “Director” within the Kroll group (the Head of Risk Control ).
KAS Europe’s Head of Risk Control will, in particular, be responsible for implementing, overseeing, and adjusting KAS Europe’s risk control function and, simultaneously, head KAS Europe’s second line of defense. Amongst others, the role should ensure robust identification, assessment, monitoring, and mitigation of operational, legal, and conduct risks across the full loan agency lifecycle, while maintaining compliance with internal policies and external regulatory requirements (in particular, under the ZAG, BaFin’s ZAG Minimum Requirements for Risk Management ( ZAG-MaRisk ), and relevant guidelines and administrative practices by the European Banking Authority ( EBA ) and BaFin.
In this regard, KAS Europe’s Head of Risk Control will act as a key control function and trusted partner to KAS Europe’s and the wider Kroll group’s front office, operations, legal, compliance, and technology units, with accountability for control governance, risk reporting, and continuous improvement of the control environment.
As the member of the management board ( Geschäftsleiter (m/f/x)) responsible for KAS Europe’s second line of defence and, in this regard, risk control function, the Head of Risk Control should provide independent challenge and oversight while remaining close to day-to-day activity. The Head of Risk Control should ensure accurate and on-time delivery of all key task items including (but not limited to) the following:
deal onboarding, notice processing, cash management, consent management, amendments, and restructurings).
Ensure adherence to KAS Europe’s risk appetite, internal control standards, and global policies.

Supporting management in all risk policy matters, especially in the development and implementation of the risk strategy as well as in the design of a system to limit risks.
Regulatory & Compliance Interface
Ensure compliance with applicable regulations and supervisory expectations, especially regarding payment services regulation (e.g., ZAG, BaFin’s ZAG-MaRisk, and relevant EBA and BaFin guidelines and administrative practices).
Act as a key contact for internal audit, external audit, and regulatory reviews relating to agency risk and controls.
Coordinate responses to audit findings and regulatory actions, ensuring timely and sustainable remediation.

Partner closely with KAS Europe’s management board, operations, legal, compliance, finance, and technology teams.
Represent KAS Europe’s risk control function in governance forums, committees, and project steering groups.

Contribute to regional and global risk initiatives and best-practice sharing.

Extensive experience (typically 8+ years) in risk control, operational risk, or control functions within payment services, syndicated loans, or corporate banking. Ideally, the Head of Risk Control candidate already has at least three years of experience as a management board member ( Geschäftsleiter (m/f/x)) at a regulated institution.
Proven experience engaging with regulators, auditors, and senior management. Ideally, the Head of Risk Control candidate is already known to BaFin.
Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, law, or a related discipline; certification as Financial Risk Manager or Professional Risk Manager) advantageous.

Familiarity with EU and German regulatory requirements, especially regarding payment services regulation (e.g., ZAG, BaFin’s ZAG-MaRisk, and relevant EBA and BaFin guidelines and administrative practices).
Support the build-out and scaling of KAS Europe’s platform, ensuring controls are embedded into new products, processes, and systems from inception.

Fluency in English required.
German language skills highly desirable.

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