SVP, Operational Risk (Behavioural Risk Specialist)

About the role

The Risk Management Group (RMG) of DBS develops and maintains the bank's operational and non-financial risk management and internal control frameworks, acting as a second line of defence with independent review and challenge of the business. This SVP role sits in the Operational Risk function and applies organisational psychology and behavioural science to strengthen risk culture and conduct across the bank, providing evidence-based review, challenge and practical interventions.

Key responsibilities

• Enhance risk culture frameworks, maturity model, target state and behavioural indicators in line with regulatory expectations and DBS PRIDE values.
• Design and run behavioural diagnostics such as interviews, focus groups, surveys and risk culture deep dives.
• Analyse survey, behavioural driver, misconduct and incident data to find emerging themes and priorities.
• Review and challenge root cause analyses of significant incidents, and assess behavioural interventions with Line 1, HR and other stakeholders.
• Develop and validate risk culture surveys, measures, scoring methods and dashboard indicators, and report trends to senior management and the risk committee.
• Design and deliver behavioural science training for risk managers, HR and employees, including instructor-led programmes, case studies and digital content.
• Advise on behavioural risks from technology and ways of working, such as automation bias and over-reliance on AI, and recommend mitigants.
• Build trusted relationships across business, risk, technology and HR teams and turn behavioural evidence into clear recommendations.

Required profile

• Postgraduate degree in organisational psychology, industrial-organisational psychology, occupational psychology, behavioural science or a closely related field; doctorate or professional accreditation is advantageous.
• At least 10 years of experience applying organisational psychology or behavioural science in large, complex organisations; banking, financial services or a regulated environment is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of organisational culture, psychological safety, behaviour change, organisational development and human factors.
• Proven ability to design, implement and evaluate behavioural interventions and learning solutions.

Required skills

• Mixed-method research: surveys, psychometric measures, interviews, focus groups and thematic analysis.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills and triangulation of data sources.
• Excellent facilitation, interviewing, report writing and presentation skills.
• Stakeholder management and the ability to give independent review and challenge across Lines 1 and 2, HR and technology teams.
• Understanding of research ethics, confidentiality and data protection.