SVP, ESG Risk Specialist, Risk Management Group

DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia, with over 280 branches across 18 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS has a growing presence in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank's capital position, as well as "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings, is among the highest in Asia-Pacific. DBS has been recognised for its leadership in the region, having been named “Asia’s Best Bank” by The Banker, a member of the Financial Times group, and “Best Bank in Asia-Pacific” by Global Finance. The bank has also been named “Safest Bank in Asia” by Global Finance for seven consecutive years from 2009 to 2015.

Business Function

Risk Management Group works closely with our business partners to manage the bank’s risk exposure by balancing its objective to maximise returns against an acceptable risk profile. We partner with origination teams to provide financing, investments and hedging opportunities to our customers. To manage risk effectively and run a successful business, we invest significantly in our people and infrastructure.

Job Purpose

• A rapidly growing number of stakeholders globally across governments, private and financial sectors as well as the society at large have embraced the urgent need to address environmental and social challenges. DBS has been thoughtful around our own sustainability agenda because we not only want to create a healthy planet, but also to ensure that the transition to accomplish this is just. We want to be a bank that contributes to preserving a healthy planet while also addressing key social needs.
• Reporting to the Head of ESG, Risk Management Group, the successful candidate will work in RMG ESG team and lead conversations on climate/ESG risks with senior stakeholders. The role will focus on advancing DBS’ climate risk management strategies and initiatives, driving and developing climate risk management capabilities, and building our approach to climate risk data collection.
• As a second line of defence, the role will collaborate with business to enhance standards and policies, and provide climate risk advise on deals, products, transactions and client engagements, in turn supporting DBS in achieving our Net Zero targets. Working in close partnership with the broader Risk organization, the selected candidate will be responsible for establishing climate risk best practices in this critical area and supporting enhanced due diligence for high risk accounts.

Responsibilities

• Function as ESG approver for the transactions/borrowers classified as higher risk from ESG perspective, including collaborating and advising Business units on portfolio appetite.
• Work closely with the Institutional Banking Group (IBG), particularly sustainability team, Consumer Banking Wealth Management Group (CBWM), Global Financial Markets (GFM) to recommend and drive enhancements of risk policies and guidelines, to manage climate risk and ensure alignment with our Net Zero targets.
• Provide guidance to IBG/CBWM Credit Risk Managers on climate risk assessments and considerations relating to deals, products, transactions and clients, and provide recommendations to mitigate climate risk, where required/appropriate.
• Managing senior stakeholders in key internal ESG forums including engaging on strategic development of ESG risk management practices within the organization.
• Develop and oversee the implementation of climate risk management strategies and frameworks across DBS’ markets, including designing, implementing and documenting new measures and controls to manage climate and environmental risk. Contribute Risk input to broader firm wide sustainability strategic commitments (e.g. NZBA, TCFD, Equator Principles).
• Drive the interpretation of expectations from key regulators and to ensure risk compliance with emerging environmental risk regulations. Manage regulatory engagement for ESG Risk management, particularly annual regulatory review exercises.
• Manage interactions with external parties such as relevant associations, consultants and prospective vendors on climate risk topics, including regular reporting and updates.
• Work towards building an understanding of new climate change products and services, including carbon markets, new climate change mitigation and adaptation technologies.
• Develop and oversee environmental risk capacity building program for ESG risk assessment including managing training for newly introduced ESG risk management processes and policies.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s or postgraduate degree in sustainability-related field, and/or a relevant risk domain.
• A minimum of 8 to 10 years of experience and proven track record in Climate and ESG Risk management in the financial sector and good understanding of Institutional Banking products/services and risk policies.
• Familiarity with the increasing regulatory expectations facing banks and other market developments with respect to Climate Risk/ESG.
• Proven track record of senior stakeholder management on climate and environmental risk with ability to take ideas forward and to challenge others, where appropriate
• Passionate and updated about the latest climate-related trends, news, science and literature.
• Resourceful, with strong ability to leverage on contacts within the banking industry, rating agencies, consultants etc to source inputs for benchmarking and to implement best practices.
• Self-motivated and driven to produce high quality deliverables.

Apply now

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package and the professional advantages of a dynamic environment that supports your development and recognises your achievements.