Business Initiatives Manager - Innovation Leadership Program (iLead)

Western Alliance Bank•Phoenix, AZ

About The Position

This development program helps participants strengthen their business acumen, build practical credit skills, and develop an innovation‑focused mindset. Participants will gain a strong grounding in credit fundamentals, enhanced through a targeted development track that strengthens their credit expertise and prepares them to lead with insight and innovation. Training will also incorporate process optimization concepts, emerging uses of AI, and the essentials of change management to support well‑rounded, strategic decision‑making. Throughout the program, they will work on high‑impact projects that shape the future of Western Alliance Bank, accelerate their careers as innovation leaders, expand their professional networks, and engage closely with senior executives across the enterprise. Risk Management Overview The Risk Management organization plays a central role in safeguarding Western Alliance Bank’s financial strength, regulatory compliance, and operational resilience. The team partners across all lines of business to identify risks, evaluate controls, enhance processes, and ensure the bank operates safely, efficiently, and strategically. Within the broader Risk Management function, the Risk Strategy & Optimization team focuses on streamlining risk activities, strengthening governance, and aligning risk capabilities to enterprise priorities. It also provides Large Financial Institution (LFI) & Integration Oversight to ensure the bank successfully meets regulatory expectations, manages change risk, and maintains disciplined oversight of integrations and strategic initiatives. These functions directly support Western Alliance Bank’s risk foundation and long-term strategic growth. Track Overview The Risk Management track will provide the iLead participant with hands-on exposure to strategic risk initiatives, optimization efforts, regulatory change processes, and integration oversight. The participant will contribute to developing and monitoring the Risk Strategic Plan, identifying and driving initiatives that eliminate manual processes, reduce risk, and automate activities across the bank. Additionally, the participant will support quarterly LFI change risk assessments, assist with program management of LFI enhancements, and collaborate on risk related activities tied to integrations or strategic initiatives. This track provides end-to-end insight into how the bank evaluates risk, implements controls, manages regulatory expectations, and executes major cross functional efforts. This is an eighteen-month program that serves as a pathway into a long‑term career with Western Alliance Bank. After 12 months, participants may be considered for full‐time opportunities, contingent on performance and supported by our Talent team through the application and selection process.

Requirements

MBA or master's degree in a related field completed within the last three years and before the start of the program.
Two to five years of related experience in risk management, financial services, project management, strategy, operations, data analysis, or other analytical or leadership‑oriented roles.
Demonstrated history of acting as a change agent and taking initiative.
Desire to innovate, disrupt, and improve, with a focus on AI adoption and enablement.
Entrepreneurial mindset.
Demonstrated leadership, strong interpersonal skills, and ability to work effectively in a team environment.
Highly proficient in Microsoft Office (e.g., Excel) and other presentation tools.
Ability to work both independently and on cross functional teams.
Comfortable working in a rapidly changing environment.
Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information to diverse stakeholders.
Strong analytical mindset with the ability to evaluate processes, identify risk, and recommend improvements with an AI-first mindset.
Strong interest in risk management strategy, optimization, and regulatory governance.
Ability to manage multiple initiatives, track milestones, and support program management routines.
Strong problem‑solving and critical‑thinking skills.
Ability to document, refine, and optimize business processes.
Comfort working with data to identify trends or gaps in processes or controls.

Responsibilities

Developing and monitoring the Risk Strategic Plan
Identifying and driving initiatives that eliminate manual processes, reduce risk, and automate activities across the bank
Supporting quarterly LFI change risk assessments
Assisting with program management of LFI enhancements
Collaborating on risk related activities tied to integrations or strategic initiatives