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Job Description

Are you an experienced leader ready to foster a culture of risk awareness and operational excellence? We are seeking an accomplished risk and compliance professional to join us as Head of Core Functions.

In this pivotal role, you will lead the control management strategy for credit, operational and regulatory compliance risks across our commercial business units across the Nordic markets (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland) and our shared service hubs in Lithuania and Poland.

You will ensure a harmonised and forward‑thinking approach to risk and controls, providing support to our business units and the wider organisation. As a senior professional, you will also engage with Danske Bank’s senior leaders while managing a large, diverse function comprising multiple teams.

The teams you will lead include three control testing and monitoring areas, local data management, governance and frameworks.

Main Responsibilities

• Leadership of the Core Functions Unit
• Champion collaboration and act as a trusted advisor to business units, working closely with Business Controls and Product Management (“BCPM”) risk partners i.e. 1st Line of Defence operational and compliance risk officers and stakeholders to promote a risk‑aware culture
• Work with control owners to ensure an appropriate and effective control environment across all business units
• Develop and execute the annual control testing and monitoring plan, delivering actionable results and insightful management information for governance committees
• Drive regulatory compliance through ongoing recommendations for control enhancements and remediation tracking
• Oversee the continuous improvement of the control framework, ensuring transparency and alignment with business, Second, and Third Line of Defence
• Drive simplification and adoption of innovative tools including utilisation of GenAI to drive more efficient and effective controls and testing execution
• Oversee risk and product governance processes and the implementation of data management
• Maintain and continuously improve, risk and controls reporting, and framework implementation in BCPM
• Support BCPM’s growth agenda in Poland by acting as the local lead for BCPM
• Participate as a member of the BCPM Leadership team and contribute to the ongoing development and deliveries of BCPM

About You

• Proven senior leadership experience in risk, controls, or governance, ideally within financial services in complex, multi‑market environments
• Exceptional ability to influence, collaborate, and communicate across all levels of the organisation
• Strong analytical and decision‑making skills, with expertise in delivering effective control solutions and driving continuous improvement
• Demonstrated understanding of European regulatory and risk management requirements and best practices in control management
• Extensive risk, control, and regulatory expertise, including top‑tier technical skills and deep insights into the interrelations between the First and Second Lines of Defence
• Engaged people manager with demonstrable experience in leading, developing, and enhancing talent through effective feedback and coaching

Contact

If you have any questions related to this role, please contact Maja Denise Berense Montmerl via email: majm@danskebank.dk.

About Us

Danske Bank is a Nordic bank with bridges to the world around us. For 150 years, we have supported people and businesses in releasing their potential. A career with us is an opportunity to join a community of 22,000 colleagues in a culture where we are committed to Teaming Up, Owning It and Being Open. Together, we are on a journey to transform Danske Bank into a better bank. For our customers, our employees and the societies around us.

Seniority level

Not Applicable

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Management and Strategy/Planning