Business Continuity & Operational Risk Specialist Tokyo

Join a leading international financial services group as a Business Continuity & Operational Risk Specialist, supporting Business Continuity Planning (BCP), crisis management, operational resilience, and operational risk for its Japan business.

This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career risk professional to develop specialist expertise within a global financial institution. You will help strengthen business continuity frameworks, coordinate crisis response activities, maintain operational resilience documentation, and collaborate with stakeholders across Japan and regional headquarters.

The role also offers exposure to broader second-line operational risk initiatives, with opportunities to expand your knowledge into information risk management and other emerging risk areas.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve Business Continuity Planning (BCP) strategies, risk assessments, and crisis response exercises.
• Maintain and update operational resilience policies, procedures, governance guidelines, and related documentation in Japanese and English.
• Coordinate secretariat activities for emergency response teams and support crisis management governance meetings.
• Collaborate with business functions and risk stakeholders to strengthen operational risk awareness and ensure alignment across the organization.
• Work closely with regional headquarters and global operational resilience and risk management teams to implement consistent standards and best practices.
• Monitor risk data and tools to identify potential vulnerabilities and continuously improve operational risk controls and disaster preparedness.
• Support broader second-line operational risk management initiatives, with potential future exposure to information risk management frameworks.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Experience:

• Foundational professional experience or exposure to Business Continuity Planning (BCP), Business Continuity Management (BCM), crisis management, operational resilience, operational risk, or risk controls.
• Experience within financial services is preferred, particularly in a risk, governance, control, or related function.
• Understanding of business continuity planning, crisis response, risk assessment, or operational risk concepts.
• Genuine interest in developing deeper technical expertise across operational risk and information risk management.
• Ability to work with governance documentation, risk assessments, policies, and control frameworks.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.

Soft Skills:

• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across different departments and functions.
• Ability to promote risk awareness and operational resilience across the organization.
• Proactive learning mindset with an interest in developing specialist risk management expertise.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail when managing documentation, governance activities, and risk initiatives.
• Collaborative approach suited to working with both local and international teams.

Language Requirements:

• Japanese: Fluent level.
• English: Intermediate to Business level, with the ability to collaborate with regional and global stakeholders.

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• Knowledge or experience within life insurance or non-life insurance operations.
• Previous exposure to Business Continuity Management within a financial institution.
• Familiarity with crisis management, disaster recovery, operational resilience, or risk governance frameworks.
• Interest in developing expertise in information risk management.
• Experience collaborating with regional or global teams within an international organization.

About the Company

Our client is a premier international financial services and insurance group, providing trusted life insurance, pension, and asset management solutions across global markets.

The organization offers a highly collaborative and internationally connected working environment, with a strong focus on risk management, business continuity, operational resilience, and professional development.

For professionals looking to build a long-term career in operational risk, this position provides valuable exposure to both Japan-specific responsibilities and global risk management practices.

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Develop specialist expertise in BCP, BCM, crisis management, and operational resilience within a major international financial institution.
• Receive direct mentorship from an experienced Business Continuity Management specialist.
• Gain hands-on exposure to second-line operational risk management and potentially information risk management.
• Work directly with senior stakeholders and participate in regional and global risk working groups.
• Build an international perspective through collaboration with global headquarters and overseas colleagues.
• Access long-term career development opportunities, including potential overseas training at global headquarters.
• Join a supportive and diverse second-line risk function with strong opportunities for professional growth.
• Benefit from hybrid working, remote work, and flextime arrangements to support work-life balance.

Don't Miss Out - Apply Now!