First Line Operations Risk Advisor

Synovus•Columbus, GA

10d

About The Position

The First Line Operations Risk Advisor helps lead the identification, assessment, monitoring, and communication of complex operational and back office operations risks across the Division. Acting as a trusted advisor to the line of business and escalation point, the role oversees coordination of remediation of significant control deficiencies, evaluates risks associated with business and technology changes, and translates complex risk information into actionable recommendations for senior and executive leadership. May mentor junior analysts and will work closely with business units to develop a good working relationship. Key player in developing the strategic direction of the risk management group. The role also oversees governance, builds partnerships across risk and control functions, and improves risk management frameworks and reporting practices.

Requirements

Requires a level of knowledge normally gained through completion of an undergraduate degree or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
8+ years of experience
Knowledge of laws, rules and regulations including Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering (BSA/AML) Compliance.
Understanding of back office operations in banking and financial institutions.
Skill in conveying ideas clearly and concisely in both written and verbal communications.
Proficiency using Microsoft Office software, to include MS Excel and Power BI.

Responsibilities

Provides strategic leadership for the Division’s first-line operations and technology risk management program. Partners with Operations Line of Business Leadership, and key control functions to establish risk priorities, strengthen governance practices, and ensure the Division’s risk and control environment aligns with corporate standards, risk appetite, and business objectives.
Leads the planning, execution, and quality review of complex Risk and Control Self-Assessments (RCSAs) across multiple business units, technology functions, products, or processes. Challenges risk and control assessments, identifies inconsistencies and emerging exposures, and ensures that risk decisions are supported by complete, accurate, and well-documented analysis.
Directs the identification, assessment, documentation, and monitoring of significant operational and technology risks and controls. Evaluates risk exposure across interdependent processes and systems, assesses the potential business impact of control deficiencies, and recommends appropriate risk responses to senior leadership.
Provides strategic guidance to management regarding the design and operating effectiveness of controls. Reviews complex process documentation, control testing results, risk indicators, incident information, and other relevant data to identify systemic weaknesses, control gaps, and opportunities to strengthen the internal control environment.
Oversees the development, execution, and validation of remediation plans for significant issues, control deficiencies, and treatment plans documented by ORM or other oversight functions. Challenges the adequacy of proposed corrective actions, establishes appropriate monitoring and escalation practices, and evaluates whether completed remediation activities effectively address the underlying risk.
Advises Division Leadership on risk acceptance, mitigation, transfer, and avoidance decisions. Develops clear recommendations that consider the severity of the exposure, business priorities, regulatory expectations, operational dependencies, and the sustainability of the proposed risk response.
Establishes and monitors risk governance routines, reporting standards, and escalation protocols for the Division. Ensures that material risks, overdue remediation activities, control weaknesses, and emerging concerns are elevated promptly to the appropriate governance bodies and decision-makers.
Develops executive-level risk reporting, presentations, and assessment summaries that translate complex risk information into clear business implications, trends, and recommended actions. Provides leadership with a comprehensive view of the Division’s risk profile, control environment, remediation progress, and areas requiring management attention.
Analyzes risk themes, key risk indicators, control performance, incidents, audit findings, and other relevant information to identify emerging or systemic risk trends. Uses analysis to anticipate potential exposures, inform strategic decision-making, and recommend preventive actions before risks adversely affect business operations.
Leads risk assessments associated with significant business and technology change, including new or modified products, services, systems, vendors, processes, organizational structures, and strategic initiatives. Ensures risks and controls are identified early, documented appropriately, and integrated into implementation and ongoing monitoring activities.
Serves as a senior risk advisor and primary escalation point for complex or high-impact operational and technology risk matters. Provides authoritative guidance to business leaders, process owners, project teams, and support functions regarding risk identification, control design, issue management, and corporate risk requirements.
Builds and maintains strong partnerships with Operations LOB, Operational Risk Management and other risk and control functions, including Independent Risk Review (IRR), Information Security, Internal Audit, Compliance, Legal, Privacy, Third-Party Risk Management, and Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering (BSA/AML) Compliance, as applicable. Coordinates cross-functional responses to risks that affect multiple areas of the organization.
Represents the Division in risk governance forums, working groups, assessments, and regulatory or internal review activities. Communicates the Division’s risk position, responds to complex inquiries, coordinates supporting documentation, and helps ensure that commitments made to oversight functions are appropriately managed.
Interprets industry developments, regulatory changes, corporate policies, and emerging technology risks to assess their potential impact on divisional strategies, services, systems, and processes. Advises leadership on necessary enhancements to controls, governance practices, and risk management capabilities.
Drives the development and continuous improvement of risk management frameworks, methodologies, tools, procedures, and reporting practices. Identifies opportunities to increase consistency, improve data quality, streamline risk activities, and enhance management’s ability to make informed risk-based decisions.
Influences a proactive and sustainable risk culture by integrating risk considerations into business planning, operational decisions, technology initiatives, and change-management activities. Promotes clear accountability for risk ownership and reinforces the expectation that risk management is embedded in day-to-day operations.
Provides thought leadership on complex and emerging risk matters. Develops practical solutions to address evolving threats and control challenges while balancing risk mitigation requirements with operational efficiency, customer impact, and strategic business needs.
Leads or coordinates high-priority risk initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities. Defines objectives, establishes deliverables, resolves complex issues, monitors progress, and communicates outcomes to senior and executive leadership.
Provides functional guidance, subject-matter expertise, and informal leadership to less-experienced risk professionals and business partners. Reviews work products, shares effective risk practices, supports capability development, and promotes consistent application of risk management standards across the Division.
Escalates issues based on materiality and business impact while maintaining appropriate documentation, stakeholder communication, and accountability through resolution.
Each team member is expected to be aware of risk within their functional area. This includes observing all policies, procedures, laws, regulations and risk limits specific to their role. Additionally, they should raise and report known or suspected violations to the appropriate Company authority in a timely fashion.
Assists other team members as needed to ensure delivery of distinctive service.
Performs other related duties as required.