Director, First Line Risk – Program Management

Citizens Financial Group•Johnston, RI

15h•Hybrid

About The Position

Citizens currently has an opening for the Director of First Line Risk – Program Management within Citizens Wealth Management. This key leadership role represents the First Line of Defense Risk Management function and is responsible for driving the development, execution, and ongoing oversight of risk‑based programs and initiatives that support the Wealth Management business. This role partners closely with Wealth business leaders, Operations, Technology, Compliance, Legal, and Independent Risk Management to ensure risk programs are designed, executed, and sustained in alignment with enterprise risk management expectations and regulatory requirements.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in Risk Management, Program Management, Wealth Management, Compliance, Audit, or a related discipline.
Demonstrated experience leading large‑scale, cross‑functional programs within a financial services or regulated environment.
Strong understanding of risk management frameworks, First Line of Defense responsibilities, and enterprise risk governance.
Experience partnering with business leaders to drive end‑to‑end risk program execution, including monitoring, issue remediation, and reporting.
Proven ability to influence through data, structure, and logic, including constructive challenge of senior stakeholders.
Strong working knowledge of regulatory and supervisory expectations applicable to Wealth Management.
Extensive project and program management experience, including planning, execution, dependency management, and reporting.
Proven relationship management skills with a track record of building trust and credibility across business and control functions.
Ability to operate effectively in a fast‑paced environment with competing priorities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive‑level presentations.
Bachelor’s Degree required OR Minimum of 8 years of work experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g., Master’s, MBA, JD) OR Minimum of 5 years of work experience with a PhD

Responsibilities

Lead the First Line Risk Program Management framework for Citizens Wealth Management, supporting enterprise and business‑specific risk initiatives.
Drive execution of complex, cross‑functional risk programs and strategic initiatives, ensuring clear ownership, governance, and accountability.
Maintain effective oversight and continuous improvement of program monitoring, risk dashboards, reporting, and issue tracking across Wealth Management.
Partner with business leadership to translate risk strategy, regulatory expectations, and enterprise priorities into actionable programs and execution plans.
Act as a cross‑functional risk subject matter expert, ensuring programs are implemented with strong risk management practices and sustainable controls.
Collaborate with Technology, Data, Operations, and Analytics teams to ensure program execution is supported by robust risk intelligence, metrics, and tooling.
Serve as liaison with Independent Risk, Compliance, Audit, and other control functions to ensure alignment, transparency, and consistency across program activities.
Oversee issue management and remediation programs, including root cause analysis, action plan development, execution tracking, and closure.
Promote a strong culture of risk and compliance awareness by supporting governance forums, program communications, training, and education.
Provide leadership, guidance, and challenge to business and risk partners in the design, implementation, and governance of processes, controls, and policies.
Support regulatory exams, internal audits, and ongoing compliance activities related to Wealth Management programs.
Oversee or support key initiatives, pilot programs, products, and strategy changes impacting the Wealth Management risk profile.