Maria Konstantinou

I focus exclusively on Risk and Compliance management recruitment and employment opportunities.

Specialist Area

My focus is on enterprise risk, operational risk, compliance, market risk, credit risk, risk technology and quantitative finance.

My Advice

In the last 10 years of risk recruitment, I have often discussed 'What makes a good risk manager with Clients and Candidates'. I have found that exceptional risk managers have most or all four of the following traits. 1. Quantitative Skills – Not just numbers, top risk managers understand the nuances of financial risk management and the metrics that are important. Not everyone has a PhD, but the best risk managers understand the models and the results at the detail level. 2. Market Awareness – Top Risk Managers need to their specific industry; They need to know the nuances of their market including the products traded in financial services, or intimate knowledge of the regulatory environment. 3. Strategic – Exceptional Risk Managers look forward. Particularly in Enterprise Risk Management, the best risk managers need to be thinking about the risks impacting their firm today, as well as expected risks in the future. 4. Communicative – Exceptional risk managers can communicate key concepts and risks to varied stakeholders. Communication with clients, board members, executives, regulators and others all must be handled professionally and delicately so that the risk issues are clearly understood.

My Background

My career in recruitment began in 2004 after completing a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Wollongong. I subsequently worked for a Global Recruitment Agency for three years and then in Risk Recruitment for the last ten years. Having a young family myself and a job I love, I enjoy helping others achieve their career goals in risk management which will in turn improve their overall happiness.