Head of Business Continuity

Reporting to the Group Head of Operations

An exciting opportunity to lead a Business Continuity function in a fast-growing, privately-owned organisation, reporting to the Group Head of Business Operations.  The role is responsible for defining and delivering Aztec Group’s business continuity management (“BCM”) strategy and leading the Business Continuity function’s activities in developing and operating a comprehensive BCM framework.

Key responsibilities:  

• Establish and lead an in-house business continuity function which delivers a best-in-class service.
• Lead the strategic direction for the Business Continuity function including the creation and delivery of BCM strategy, proactive identification of risks and identification of continuous improvement initiatives.
• Development and implementation of BCM framework, policies, procedures, systems, tools, and structures that deliver best in class solutions.
• Defining and refining key processes, methodologies, and approaches, including identification & mapping of important business services, impact tolerances, scenario testing and resilience assessments.
• Develop approach to the execution of Business Impact Analyses to identify business continuity requirements and to determine prioritised activities, maximum tolerable periods of disruption and recovery objectives.
• Perform BCM risk and threat assessments to understand potential threats to Aztec and identify unacceptable risks.
• Work in collaboration with business areas to ensure that appropriate and robust BCM plans and procedures are in place for all in-scope business services.
• Planning, delivery and reporting of Strategic and Jurisdictional BCM and Crisis Management Tests according to Aztec policy.
• Oversee and manage the execution and reporting of Business Area plan and process testing.
• Play an active role in embedding BCM in Aztec, including supporting the design and delivery of BCM training.
• Continuous evaluation of the regulatory environment, and BCM best practice to ensure that Aztec’s BCM framework remains fit for purpose and meet all required regulatory requirements.
• Monitor and report on the status of BCM activities and BCM maturity and produce periodic BCM reports to key forums including the Resilience Forum, Operations Executive Committee and regulated jurisdictional boards.
• Oversee operation of the Resilience Forum to ensure that Group issues and plans are addressed effectively.
• Support the development of a BCM maturity model to monitor and report on progress toward IS22301 certification.
• Assessment of Business Continuity and Resilience measures and controls of Aztec’s suppliers to ensure that they have appropriate and proportionate capabilities in line with Aztec’s requirements.

 Skills, knowledge & experience: 

• Experience in setting up a BCM Framework, delivering and managing business-critical processes.
• Proven experience of delivering 1LOD/2LOD Business Continuity / Resilience ideally within a regulated environment.
• Practical experience in operational resilience, business continuity, or crisis management is crucial.
• Previous experience of building, leading and managing a Business Continuity function at senior leadership level, in a 2000+ employee multi-jurisdictional organisation.
• Strong and inclusive people leader with demonstrable success on motivating and developing high performing teams.
• Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills with the proven ability to engage and influence at all levels, including C-suite level stakeholders.
• Proven experience in developing BCM frameworks, policies, systems and tools that add value to the business and effectively manage risk.
• Strong project management skills.
• Ability to think critically and independently problem solve, bringing insight and clarity to complex situations.
• Robust IT skills with the ability to embrace opportunities for increased digital and automated technology to drive effective solutions.
• An analytical, data driven thinker with experience of creating, presenting and driving metrics and reports.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to develop collaborative networks and relationships to drive solutions.
• Previous experience in a financial services company is highly desirable but not essential.
• A detailed knowledge of BCM standards and practices (ISO, BCI), tools and techniques of business continuity.
• Understanding of Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA).
• Experience of implementing or working with digital BCMS and / or Crisis Management and communications tools would be an advantage.

Qualifications:

• Certified Business Continuity professional (MBCI (BCI), CBCP (DRII) or higher).
• 10+ years of relevant experience, at least 5 of which are in a Business Continuity specific role, preferably within a financial services environment.
• Working knowledge of BC operations in an ISO22301 certified organisation, or in an organisation actively working towards this certification.
• Exposure to the complete BCM lifecycle.
• Aware of Operational Resilience (OR) and other resilience regulation that apply within the Finance industry.
• Project management qualification such as Prince 2, APM or Agile is of interest but not a requirement.

We will provide the training, both in house and from external providers for relevant technical knowledge and soft skills.