Associate Director, Third Party Risk Management (Middle East) - UAE National

Job Summary This pivotal role as Associate Director, Third Party Risk Management, is designed to strategically embed and advance Third Party Risk Management (TPRM) across our operations in MENAP and DIFC. Working closely with senior leadership including the Director, and cluster heads, you will champion the integration of third party risk as a core component of our overall risk framework.

Your responsibilities will span multiple dimensions, encompassing strategy formulation, rigorous business reviews, and process evaluations. You will lead comprehensive risk deep dives into third party engagements including outsourcing, vendor relationships, non-vendor contracts, and intragroup arrangements. A key element of this role involves proactive stakeholder engagement with risk teams and business units, ensuring continuous monitoring and effective mitigation of third party risks.

You will also take ownership of enhancing the risk and control environment by recommending policy updates, refining risk appetite metrics, and ensuring swift resolution of identified control weaknesses. The role requires clear, confident communication with senior stakeholders and the ability to guide the first line of defense within the Integrated Risk Framework.

Through these dynamic and collaborative efforts, you will contribute to maintaining Standard Chartered’s robust risk posture, safeguarding the bank’s regulatory compliance and enhancing operational resilience.

Key Responsibilities

• Support senior leadership and regional heads in fully integrating Third Party Risk as a principal risk category within the bank’s risk management framework.
• Coordinate closely with Principal Risk Type teams and subject matter experts to embed third party risk considerations across all relevant risk areas effectively.
• Engage continuously with risk management teams, business units, and other stakeholders to foster a holistic approach to third party risk monitoring and mitigation.
• Lead detailed risk reviews and deep dives across various types of third party relationships, evaluating potential risks and control effectiveness.
• Analyze material third party engagements for emerging risks and recommend appropriate control enhancements or risk measures.
• Challenge existing risk control environments and contribute to updating the Group’s policies, standards, and risk appetite to reflect evolving risk landscapes.
• Act decisively to address any control deficiencies or risk exposures, ensuring issues are escalated appropriately to the Group Third Party Risk Management Committee.
• Provide expert guidance to the 1st Line of Defence and support the function as an Integrated Risk Framework Owner (IRFO).
• Prepare comprehensive reports and presentations for senior management to facilitate informed decision-making.
• Promote a culture of risk awareness and compliance throughout the business by sharing best practices and conducting training sessions as necessary.

Our Ideal Candidate

• Demonstrated experience in Risk Management, with a strong emphasis on third party risk frameworks, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation strategies.
• In-depth knowledge of Third Party Risk Management including vendor risk assessments, outsourcing risks, and intergroup arrangement risks within a complex financial services environment.
• Proven capability in Stakeholder Management, adept at engaging and influencing senior leaders, risk committees, and cross-functional business partners.
• Excellent communication skills, able to articulate complex risk concepts clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to conduct thorough risk analyses and recommend actionable solutions.
• Highly collaborative with a proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• A strategic thinker with the capacity to lead initiatives that align risk activities to broader organisational goals.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with evolving regulatory expectations and risk landscapes.

About Standard Chartered We’re an international bank, nimble enough to act, big enough for impact. For more than 170 years, we’ve worked to make a positive difference for our clients, communities, and each other. We question the status quo, love a challenge and enjoy finding new opportunities to grow and do better than before. If you’re looking for a career with purpose and you want to work for a ban…