Risk Manager (Corporate)

HIGH DemandLOW AI RiskGROWING in SL· Rs.145k+ /mo

Corporate Risk Manager is for experienced professionals who want to operate at the strategic centre of a large Sri Lankan or multinational enterprise. You will advise the Board, challenge the CEO, and ensure the Group navigates its risks with eyes open. A deeply senior, influential career for those with the analytical sharpness, executive presence, and risk expertise to earn it.”

About This Role

Identifies and assesses potential financial and operational threats to an organization and implements mitigation plans.

A Day in the Life

You manage enterprise risk across a large corporate conglomerate — identifying, assessing, and mitigating strategic, operational, financial, and reputational risks to protect shareholder value.

Develop and embed the Group ERM framework across all business units
Lead strategic risk assessments for major business decisions, acquisitions, and projects
Prepare the Group Risk Report for the Board Audit and Risk Committee
Monitor emerging risks across business units — political, regulatory, operational, reputational
Own the Group insurance portfolio and work with brokers on risk transfer decisions
Lead business continuity and crisis management planning
Manage the risk function team across the Group
Advise the CFO and CEO on risk implications of strategic decisions

Work Environment

HYBRIDTeam: SMALLBUSINESS CASUALRemote: MEDIUM

Corporate headquarters environment in a large Sri Lankan conglomerate — John Keells Holdings, Hemas Holdings, Aitken Spence, or similar. Works across multiple business units and subsidiaries. Regular exposure to CEO and Board. Not banking-specific — covers all enterprise risk categories.

Typical hours: 48h/week · WLB score 5/10 · OCCASIONAL overtime

Senior leadership role with Board accountability. Business crises and major risk events require immediate response regardless of time.

Skills Required

Technical Skills

Enterprise risk management (ERM)Strategic risk assessmentInsurance portfolio managementBusiness continuity planningCorporate governanceFinancial risk basics (FX, commodity, liquidity)Board reporting

Soft Skills

Executive-level communicationStrategic thinkingCross-functional influenceDecision facilitationStakeholder management at Board levelLeadership

Tools & Software

GRC platformsInsurance management toolsMicrosoft OfficePower BIERP systems (SAP)Business continuity management software

Salary in Sri Lanka (LKR / month)

Entry LevelRs.140k – Rs.250k/mo

Mid-LevelRs.250k – Rs.450k/mo

SeniorRs.450k – Rs.800k/mo

Entry: Corporate Risk Analyst / Senior Risk OfficerMid: Corporate Risk ManagerSenior: Group Head of Risk / VP Risk / CRO

Typical progression: 8yr to mid · 14yr to senior

Global Salary (USD / year)

Entry Level$95k – $135k/yr

Mid-Level$135k – $190k/yr

Senior$190k – $320k/yr

Top Markets

UKSingaporeUAEUSAAustralia

Market Outlook

GROWING

Growing as Sri Lanka's large conglomerates formalise risk functions to meet corporate governance code requirements and investor expectations. ESG risk and climate risk are new areas of demand.

Hiring: LOW

John Keells HoldingsHemas HoldingsAitken SpenceCarson CumberbatchExpolanka HoldingsMAS HoldingsDialog Axiata

GROWING

Corporate risk management is growing in demand as ESG, cyber, and geopolitical risks become Board-level concerns globally.

Entry Requirements

Sri Lanka

Min. EducationBachelor's in Finance, Business, Engineering, or Law; MBA or IRM qualification preferred

Experience8+ years in risk management, audit, or corporate strategy

Preferred

CRISCIRM DiplomaCRMAMBA

Global

Min. EducationBachelor's in Finance, Business, or Engineering; Master's or MBA strongly preferred

Experience10+ years in enterprise risk management

Preferred

CRISCIRM FellowshipFRMMBA

Helpful Certifications

CRISCIRM (Institute of Risk Management) Certificate/DiplomaCRMAChartered Insurer (CII)MBA (Strategy / Finance)

Entrepreneurship & Freelancing

Freelance: MEDIUMRemote: MEDIUMCapital: NONE

Freelance earnings: $80–$200/mo (USD)

Platforms (SL)

Direct executive referralsLinkedIn

Business Ideas

Enterprise risk consulting for conglomerates
Risk strategy advisory for family businesses
Board risk governance training

Side Income Ideas

Board advisory/non-executive risk committee rolesRisk management training for senior executivesERM framework consulting for private equity portfolio companies

Growing demand from mid-tier family businesses and private equity-backed companies building governance structures for the first time.

Risks & Challenges

AI / Automation Risk

LOW

LONG TERM

Burnout Risk

HIGH

Job Security (SL)

VERY HIGH

Corporate risk management at this level involves strategic judgment, Board dynamics, cross-business leadership, and complex risk trade-offs that AI tools cannot replicate. GRC platforms assist with data but the role is fundamentally human leadership.

Burnout Causes

Board accountability for major risk eventsOrganisational politics in large conglomeratesResponsibility across multiple business units with diverse risk profilesCrisis management at unpredictable times

Physical Health Risks

Chronic executive stressSedentary desk work

Mental Health Risks

Accountability for major risk materialisationsSenior leadership pressure

How to Mitigate

Develop expertise in emerging risk areas (cyber risk, climate risk, ESG)
Build Board-level presentation and facilitation skills
Earn IRM or CRISC for international recognition beyond the banking sector

Is This Career For You?

Senior finance, strategy, or audit professionals (10+ years) who want to transition into a Group risk leadership role. Suits strategically-minded, politically astute individuals with strong Board-level communication and cross-functional influence.

Personality Types

INTJENTJISTJ

Core Motivations

Protecting shareholder valueStrategic risk leadershipGroup-wide governanceExecutive advisory influence

What You'll Love