Banking COO, Business Change & Governance - Vice President

Who are we?

We are not your typical financial institution. It’s our people who make us a cut above. Here, every person is respected because of their differences, not in spite of them.

We pride ourselves on a culture of purpose, passion and compassion. At Mizuho, we provide the stability of an international industry leader with the career trajectory of a growing business. Our steady, strategic growth gives our people at all levels rewarding degrees of responsibility and a richer work experience than a boutique firm or an established giant could offer alone.

Working for Mizuho opens doors not just to a rewarding career with excellent prospects, but to lasting friendships with colleagues from diverse cultures. It’s the local expertise of our employees that makes our global network so powerful. By collaborating with colleagues and clients who have your same ambition, you can amplify your sphere of influence and base of knowledge as part of one of the largest—and growing—banks in the world.

What is the opportunity?

The successful candidate will join a newly formed Business Change and Governance (BC&G) Team (the Team). The Team sits within the Front Office (FO) of Mizuho EMEA’s Corporate and Institutional Banking (CIB Banking). CIB Banking covers corporate finance, structured finance, leveraged finance and Capital Market (DCM, ECM) clients.

You will support the Head of the BC&G Team to achieve the Team’s core objectives:

•             Project leadership and change management: the Team is responsible for all change impacting the FO, both strategic projects and smaller BAU changes that results in greater efficiency and improved ways of working.

•             Governance and risk management: the Team is responsible for governance and risk-related activities that impact the FO, and embeds procedures and controls to ensure the FO adheres to the regulatory environment and operates with an acceptable level of risk.

•             Enhance client engagement: embed Salesforce across the FO, refine and improve how client engagement activities are managed in Salesforce.

What will you be doing?

Governance Framework and Oversight:

• Manage the CIB Banking Front Office Supervisory Committee (FOSC). Ensure the FOSC members have sufficient information to provide effective oversight of CIB Banking. This includes: preparing committee material and running the committee, critically assessing material provided by committee members, identifying items that need to be escalated to the FOSC.
• Oversight of CIB Banking’s Risk Control Self Assessment (RCSA) framework: manage RCSA activities, monitor and enhance controls as appropriate.
• Issue and risk management for CIB Banking: identifying risk and issues, identify and deliver activities to mitigate risks and close issues.
• Manage BAU governance related activities across CIB Banking: liaise with HO Departments, support functions and the FO to ensure CIB Banking effectively completes these activities within agreed timelines.
• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of governance frameworks, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements, industry best practices, and the Bank's strategic objectives. 
• Oversee cross-functional governance processes, ensuring adherence to policies, procedures, and standards. 
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders to establish committees, including the development of charters, agendas, and meeting protocols. 
• Provide expert advice on governance matters, ensuring the bank is well-positioned to respond to internal and external changes and audits.

Change Management

• Drive governance-related change initiatives within the COO, ensuring they are executed effectively and deliver measurable outcomes. 
• Act as a champion for continuous improvement, identifying opportunities for operational efficiencies and streamlining processes. 
• Partner with cross-functional teams to deliver change projects that enhance risk management, compliance, and operational resilience. 
• Ensure all change initiatives are governed effectively, with clear decision-making processes, risk management, and stakeholder engagement. 
• Develop communication strategies to ensure transparency and engagement across all levels of the organisation.

Stakeholder Engagement & Leadership

• Serve as a key point of contact for governance matters within the Bank, liaising with senior leaders, risk management, compliance, legal, and external regulatory bodies. 
• Foster strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment on governance and change management priorities. 
• Promote a culture of integrity, accountability, and transparency across the organisation.

What do you need to succeed?

• Strong knowledge of governance frameworks, risk management, compliance, and regulatory requirements within a Corporate and Investment Bank (essential).
• Proven experience leading initiatives in complex, matrixed organisations, with a focus on governance and risk management processes (essential).
• Proven experience in change activity within financial services (essential)
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills across multiple jurisdictions (essential)
• Highly organised and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment (essential). 
• Ability to navigate regulatory challenges and anticipate governance needs in a rapidly changing financial landscape.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to prioritise work to meet tight deadlines.
• Precise attention to detail and accuracy.
• University Degree or equivalent.

What Mizuho can offer you

Here at Mizuho, there are fantastic progression opportunities and clear paths to promotion. We will give you ample opportunity to affect change and to help grow our business.

In addition to the great opportunity outlined above we are also currently able to offer:

• Competitive starting salary, plus discretionary bonus
• Non-contributory pension
• 27 days’ annual leave
• Core working hours*
• Hybrid working  - office and home based*
• Virtual GP
• Wellbeing benefits, including Mental Health Allies and First Aiders

*For applicable roles only

At Mizuho, we embrace flexible ways of working when the role permits. We offer different working arrangements like part-time, job-sharing and hybrid (office and home) working. Our purpose-led culture and global infrastructure help us connect, collaborate, and work together in agile ways to meet all our business needs.

At Mizuho we are committed to supporting equality, diversity and equality, and seek to create a workplace that is fully inclusive. We welcome applications from all sections of the community that we operate in and from all ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientation, beliefs, gender identities and disabilities

If you require more information about our equal opportunities policy or wish to discuss any accessibility requirements or reasonable adjustments please contact the recruitment team – recruitment@mhcb.co.uk and we will be happy to help.