EMEA - Chief Risk Officer

Chief Risk Officer, Europe - Confidential Search / Belgium

Some CRO roles are about holding the line. This one is about building something.

We’re retained with a leading international, technology led financial services business on the appointment of its European Chief Risk Officer. It’s a business with millions of customers, serious growth ambitions in Europe, and a reputation for doing things differently. It now wants a risk leader who can match that pace without compromising on standards.

The role

You’ll be the most senior risk executive for a significant EU-regulated entity, accountable for risk across its European operations and a footprint that keeps expanding. You’ll work closely with the European leadership team and the wider group risk function, with a direct line to the board.

You’ll be the risk voice in the rooms that matter: the regional board, the risk committee, the supervisor, and the product forums where new launches and markets are decided. You won’t be signing off at the end of the process. You’ll be there at the start, helping shape what gets built.

You’ll inherit an established team covering operational, technology and financial risk, with security leadership also in the function. The team grows as the business expands into new markets, so you’ll have the mandate and budget to build it in your image.

What you’ll own

Risk strategy for Europe. You’ll set and steer the risk framework across operational, technology, financial, compliance, financial crime and strategic risk, tailored to the European regulatory landscape.

Risk appetite and big calls. You’ll own the regional risk reward decisions and stand behind them at board level.

The supervisor relationship. You’ll lead direct, transparent engagement with European regulators, from routine dialogue to remediation and licence change.

Board and committee governance. You’ll present risk, incidents, stress testing and remediation to the board and executive leadership.

Product partnership. You’ll be a hands on advisor on new products and market launches, finding the way to yes, safely.

Control assurance. You’ll strengthen KRIs, first-line controls and outsourcing oversight across all three lines of defence.

Data led risk. You’ll push analytics and automated monitoring into how risk is measured, reported and decided.

People. You’ll hire, develop and lead a high calibre team of domain experts.

Why this is worth your time

The rare combination of scale and pace. You’ll get the resources, data and technology of a large, well-capitalised business with the speed and ambition of a growth company. Most risk leaders only ever get one or the other.

Accountability that’s real. This is a regulated, board-facing appointment with genuine ownership, not a deputy role with a bigger title.

A function to build, not inherit. As Europe grows, so does your team. You decide how it’s shaped, how it works and who joins.

Influence beyond Europe. How you build risk here will help shape how risk management evolves across the organisation.

A product led culture. Risk is treated as a partner to the business. You’ll work with engineers and product leaders who want your input early.

A career defining platform. Leading European risk for a business of this profile puts you among the most visible risk leaders in European financial services.

A strong package. A highly competitive base plus meaningful long-term equity, structured around the right candidate.

Who we’re looking for

15+ years in risk, including senior leadership within an EU-regulated payments, fintech or banking business of real scale and complexity. A current or recent CRO seat is ideal.

Hands on experience engaging European supervisors (ECB, NBB, DNB, CSSF, BaFin, ACPR, CBI or similar) and board committees, not just theoretical knowledge.

Experience leading large-scale remediation, a licence change or significant regulatory scrutiny would stand out.

Depth in operational risk (both technology and non-technology) and financial risk. Financial crime exposure is a strong plus.

A builder and developer of teams, comfortable partnering with product and engineering in a fast moving environment.

European regulatory experience is preferred.

Location

The role is based in Belgium, and as a regulated appointment it requires residency in Belgium. The role is listed as remote so we can reach the strongest candidates across Europe. If you’re a Belgian risk leader working elsewhere in Europe and you’ve been waiting for the right reason to come home, or open to relocation please get in touch.

Next steps

This search is being run exclusively and confidentially by Alexander Barnes. Initial conversations are completely discreet, and the client will be disclosed under NDA once there’s mutual interest.