Chief Risk Officer

Phoenix Pro Connectors is working with a global client seeking a Chief Risk Officer (CRO) to join their executive leadership team. This is a critical C-level position responsible for designing and overseeing a comprehensive enterprise risk management framework across the organization. The CRO will play a pivotal role in safeguarding capital, protecting stakeholders, and ensuring sustainable growth by embedding risk awareness into decision-making at every level.

• Develop and maintain an enterprise-wide risk management framework aligned with regulatory standards and the company's risk appetite.
• Advise senior leadership and the Board on strategic, financial, operational, and reputational risk exposures.
• Establish key risk indicators, tolerance levels, and reporting protocols to strengthen oversight and governance.

• Provide oversight of core areas such as underwriting, claims, reinsurance, investments, and liquidity management.
• Monitor operational risks, including technology, cybersecurity, fraud, and compliance.
• Partner with finance, actuarial, and compliance teams to ensure sound reserving, solvency, and capital management.
• Collaborate with first-line business leaders to reinforce ownership of risk while ensuring independent oversight from the risk function.

• Deliver independent risk reporting to executive leadership and the Board.
• Maintain clear separation of oversight and business operations while providing effective challenge.
• Work with internal audit and external stakeholders to validate and improve risk frameworks.

• Build and lead a high-performing risk management function spanning operational, financial, and compliance disciplines.
• Foster a strong culture of risk awareness across the enterprise.
• Provide training and mentoring to leaders and employees, ensuring risk awareness is embedded into everyday business decisions.
• Influence and align diverse stakeholders, balancing risk appetite with growth and performance objectives.

• Lead the design and execution of business continuity and disaster recovery strategies.
• Serve as a key leader during crisis events, ensuring protection of stakeholders, employees, and organizational assets.

• Bachelor's degree in finance, risk management, actuarial science, or a related field; advanced degree (MBA or Master's) preferred.
• Professional certifications such as FRM, CFA, ARM, or CPCU are highly desirable.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in risk management, financial services, or insurance, with 7+ years at a senior leadership level.
• Strong understanding of risk-based capital frameworks, regulatory compliance, and insurance or financial operations.
• Proven ability to communicate risk concepts clearly to Boards, regulators, and executive peers.
• Demonstrated success leading enterprise-wide risk initiatives in complex or global environments.
• Bilingual English/Spanish fluency is a plus.

• Strategic alignment of risk with organizational goals.
• Strong governance and policy-setting expertise.
• Executive presence and independent judgment.
• Collaborative leadership across functions, geographies, and cultures.
• High emotional intelligence, adaptability, and crisis management ability.