Global Markets Audit Technology Portfolio Executive Director

Corporate Title: Executive Director

Department: Internal Audit

Location: New York

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $XXX and $XXXK/year*

Company overview

Nomura is a global financial services group with an integrated network spanning approximately 30 countries and regions. By connecting markets East & West, Nomura services the needs of individuals, institutions, corporates and governments through its three business divisions: Wealth Management, Investment Management, and Wholesale (Global Markets and Investment Banking). Founded in 1925, the firm is built on a tradition of disciplined entrepreneurship, serving clients with creative solutions and considered thought leadership. For further information about Nomura, visit www.nomura.com.

Aon’s Benefit Index®, Nomura’s benefits rank #1 amongst our competitors

Department overview:

The Internal Audit department is a key part of Nomura’s corporate governance and the department’s primary objectives are to review the company’s control environment and report any weaknesses identified to the Audit Committee and senior management.

The Internal Audit department has over 190 staff that are located in major cities around the world. The Nomura Global Wholesale Internal Audit department in the Americas comprises 40 professionals, split across Trading, Sales and Investment Banking businesses as well as Technology, Risk Management, Legal and Compliance and Finance specialists, reporting to the Americas Head of Internal Audit.

The Internal Audit (IA) department adopts an integrated audit approach, and the Global Markets Technology audit team works closely with business auditors on complex and global audits. The Global Markets team covers all major asset classes – Equities (including Instinet), Securitized Products, Rates, Credit, and FX – covering both vanilla and structured trading.

Responsibilities: 

Reporting into the Americas Head of Global Markets Audit, the Global Markets Audit Technology Portfolio Director will be an experienced Technology auditor responsible for delivering the audit plan in relation to Global Markets applications – in particular for Global Equities and Securitized Products – as well as delivering risk assessments, continuous monitoring, overseeing issue validation and being responsible for key relationships with Global Markets Technology senior management.  

Key Responsibilities:

• Primary responsibility for developing and timely delivering the Global Markets technology audit plan covering Global Equities and Securitized Products in accordance with departmental standards. This includes planning through to report issuance, as well as risk assessments, continuous monitoring, and issue follow up / validation.
• Provide strategic and risk focussed direction and continually seek to improve the Global Markets IT audit and departmental processes for impactful results.
• Support Internal Audit’s strategic initiative for Data Analytics by being an active supporter and contributor to this initiative. Advocate and develop audit colleagues to use data analysis to improve and enhance the audit approach.
• Maintain strong independent working relationships with senior technology management, identifying emerging risks, and raising important value adding control improvements to senior management.
• Provide coaching to team members in all phases of the audit process.
• Effectively collaborate with Global and Regional Portfolio Directors across all regions.
• As a seasoned professional applies solid understanding of internal audit standards, policies, rules and regulations to provide timely and comprehensive audit assurance.
• Direct and carry out pre-implementation reviews, special projects, ad hoc investigations and advisory work where required to complete the department’s audit plan.
• Assist non-technical assurance colleagues in understanding technology risk and controls and its impact to the audit.

Skills, experience, qualifications and knowledge required:

• Strong background and experience of managing and executing IT application audits within an investment bank. Experience should include: risk assessment, IT general controls, and auditing of data integrity to provide an audit opinion on the completeness, accuracy and timeliness of system based processing.
• Good knowledge of Global Markets businesses and associated IT activity covering Equities (including execution services) and Securitized Products. Has an in-depth knowledge of IT concepts to be able to guide and direct scoping decisions with a risk focus.
• Experience in successfully managing complex regional and global audit projects, as well as managing multiple audits concurrently ensuring assurance activities are coordinated and resources optimized for productivity.
• Has good knowledge and understanding of the Global Markets sales and trading business areas and product lines as well as technology architecture and systems supporting these areas.
• Strong analytical skills, exercise appropriate professional skepticism with the ability to identify key risks and control improvements and to agree control improvements with senior stakeholders.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written particularly as it relates to audit reports and Management / Committee presentations.
• Strong time and project management skills, consistently delivering to deadlines (budget and time).
• Good knowledge of systems development practices and processes.
• Strong leadership and management skills: Has a proven track record of demonstrating maturity and leadership, acts as a role model and holds self and others to high standards of excellence. Able to motivate, coach and develop high performing staff to achieve departmental and personal objectives.
• Relationship Management: Has proven ability to build strong relationships with auditees and can effectively manage upwards at senior levels. Able to network and manage relationships at senior levels across the organisation and in the wider financial services industry.
• Sound judgement on the criticality and impact of issues identified, with a risk and commercial focus.
• A bachelor’s degree or higher qualification in Computing, Sciences, or Engineering, supported by work experience as a Technology Audit manager in a financial services firm, Consulting or Big 4 firm. 
• CISA/CISM/CISSP or equivalent technical qualification preferred.
• Knowledge of general auditing principles, and best practices and standards.

• Knowledge of coding e.g. using Python and other languages, to provide insight into risks and/or controls, would be beneficial.
• Knowledge of data science / artificial intelligence tools and prompt engineering would also be an advantage.

*base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, corporate and functional title and duties, job-related knowledge and advanced degrees, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a sign-on bonus, restricted stock units, and discretionary awards in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors”.

Nomura is an Equal Opportunity Employer