Assistant Vice President, First Line Risk

Merrick Bank • South Jordan, UT

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Join our team - and take the next step in achieving a fulfilling career! What We Do At CardWorks, we aim to help people connect with possibility and opportunity using our financial servicing expertise. Building meaningful, long-term relationships with consumers, our employees, and our clients is what matters most. Who We Are CardWorks, Inc. is a diversified consumer finance service provider and parent company of CardWorks Servicing, LLC, Merrick Bank and Carson Smithfield, LLC. CardWorks Servicing, LLC provides end-to end operational servicing functions for credit cards, secured cards, and installment loans. We service consumer and small business loans across the credit spectrum and offers backup servicing and due diligence services to capital providers and trustees. Merrick Bank is an FDIC-insured Utah Industrial Loan Bank. Merrick operates three main business lines: credit cards, recreational lending, and merchant services. Carson Smithfield, LLC provides a variety of post-charge-off debt recovery services, including digital self-service, IVR, live agent, and external agency management. Position Summary The Assistant Vice President (AVP), Non‑Card First Line Risk & Controls, supports and executes Merrick Bank’s Non‑Card First Line of Defense (FLOD) Risk strategy and governance model. This role is responsible for day‑to‑day execution of first line risk and control responsibilities, with a primary focus on risk identification, control design and effectiveness, and issue management across Non‑Card Operations. Ideally, the qualified candidate will work at the following location(s): South Jordan, UT or Wilmington, DE. A hybrid work model or fully remote model can be considered based on hiring manager decision and priorities of the role. The AVP serves as a key first line risk partner to business leaders and is accountable for ensuring that material risks are identified, mitigated, and monitored through an appropriate and effective control environment, consistent with Merrick Bank’s Risk Management Framework. This role partners closely with Second Line Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management, Internal Audit, Technology, and Change Management to ensure timely, sustainable remediation, strong documentation standards, and ongoing exam readiness. The AVP also provides leadership across the Non‑Card First Line Risk organization, including people management responsibilities, leadership team participation, and accountability for building sustainable risk and control capabilities through effective talent development and coverage models. Scope & Portfolio Provides first line risk and control support for Non‑Card Operations, including: Recreational Lending, Flow Lending, Deposit Operations and Merchant Operations. Executes standardized first line governance activities, including: Risk and control identification, assessment, and documentation RCSA support and control library maintenance Issue identification, documentation, tracking, and remediation support KRI/KPI development, monitoring, and reporting Coordination with Compliance, Enterprise Risk, Audit, Technology, and business owners

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Risk Management, or a related field required. Equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience may be considered.
• 8+ years of financial services experience, with 3–5+ years in first line risk, operational risk, compliance, or controls‑focused roles in a regulated environment.
• Strong working knowledge of: First Line Risk & Control frameworks. RCSA execution, issue management, and control evaluation. KRI/KPI development and governance routines
• Demonstrated ability to partner effectively across Operations, Compliance, Enterprise Risk, Audit, and Technology.
• Experience supporting internal audits and regulatory examinations.
• Strong execution mindset with attention to documentation quality, regulatory readiness, and sustainable outcomes.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency with Power BI, SharePoint, and risk/governance tooling preferred.
• Certifications preferred: CRCM, PMP, Lean Six Sigma, CPA, or other risk‑related credentials.

Responsibilities

• Maintains accountability for first line identification and assessment of operational, compliance, and enterprise risks across Non‑Card Operations.
• Executes and supports Risk and Control Self‑Assessment (RCSA) activities, including risk identification, inherent and residual risk assessments, and control mapping.
• Evaluates the design and operating effectiveness of controls, including identification and documentation of control deficiencies.
• Assesses the completeness and sufficiency of the control environment for key processes and risk categories.
• Partners with business stakeholders to design, implement, and enhance controls to mitigate identified risks and control gaps.
• Executes first line Issue Management responsibilities in accordance with Merrick Bank standards, including: Opening and documenting newly identified issues. Supporting root cause analysis. Coordinating corrective action plans with Lines of Business. Tracking remediation progress and supporting evidence collection. Supporting validation of sustainable remediation.
• Ensures issues are appropriately risk‑rated, prioritized, and remediated in a timely manner.
• Acts as a first line liaison with Second Line Compliance, Enterprise Risk Management, and Internal Audit throughout the issue lifecycle.
• Ensures first line risk and control activities align with Merrick Bank’s Risk Management Framework, policies, and governance standards.
• Partners with Second Line Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management on risk assessments, control challenges, issue reviews, and validations.
• Supports Internal Audit engagements and regulatory examinations, including: Process walkthroughs. Artifact and evidence preparation. Accurate and consistent risk and control documentation.
• Maintains KRIs, KPIs, issue metrics, and RCSA outputs supporting ongoing risk monitoring.
• Prepares management and committee reporting, dashboards, and materials to support risk transparency and escalation, including Power BI reporting.
• Maintains documentation standards, control libraries, and evidence repositories within SharePoint and approved governance systems.
• Supports workflow and tooling coordination (e.g., ServiceNow and/or Archer) to ensure traceability and auditability.
• Integrates first line risk and control checkpoints into projects, process changes, and new initiatives.
• Coordinates with OCM/PMO, Technology, and business owners to ensure risks and controls are addressed throughout the change lifecycle.
• Supports third‑party and vendor oversight activities, including SLA/KPI monitoring, attestations, testing coordination, and issue follow‑up.
• Provides leadership and people management for managers, analysts, and project resources supporting Non‑Card first line risk activities.
• Serves as a member of, or key contributor to, Non‑Card Operations and Oversight leadership forums, representing first line risk and control perspectives.
• Establishes clear role expectations, performance standards, and development plans aligned to first line risk accountability.
• Ensures appropriate staffing models, coverage, and skill development to support portfolio complexity and regulatory expectations.
• Coaches and develops leaders and team members to strengthen first line ownership of risk, controls, and issue management.
• Supports vendor oversight, budget considerations, and resource planning to ensure efficient and effective delivery.
• Responsible for complying with all of the Bank’s internal control policies and procedures.
• Responsible for understanding and complying with all laws and regulations to which the Bank is subject.
• Responsible for communicating problems in operations, noncompliance with the code of conduct, noncompliance with laws and regulations, policy violations, or illegal acts.

Benefits

• Competitive Pay, including a Bonus Target or Variable Pay Incentive Program
• Benefits Package -Medical, Dental, and Vision (plus much more)
• 401(k) Plan with Company Match
• Short- & Long-Term Disability
• Wellness Programs
• Group Life and AD&D Insurance
• Paid Vacation, Sick Days and bank Holidays
• Employee Engagement Activities including Employee Appreciation Day, DEI Employee Resource Groups, Corporate Social Responsibility, Service Recognition

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees