Principal, Strategy and Transformation

Early Warning® • Scottsdale, AZ

1d • $154,000 - $232,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Principal, Strategy and Transformation is a senior individual contributor responsible for advancing Risk strategy and leading complex, cross-functional strategic initiatives that strengthen the organization’s risk capabilities, operating models, and execution. This role translates Risk and business priorities into actionable strategies, frameworks, programs, and implementation plans and leads initiatives from concept and design through execution and adoption. The role may represent Risk as the lead for significant enterprise programs, coordinating Risk workstreams across functions and ensuring that Risk requirements, dependencies, decisions, and deliverables are effectively integrated into broader program objectives. Operating with significant autonomy and independent judgment, this role partners with senior and executive leaders across the organization, facilitates alignment on complex issues, and communicates Risk strategy, program progress, emerging risks, and recommendations in a clear and executive-ready manner.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Risk Management, Finance, Program Management, or a related field, or equivalent relevant work experience.
• Typically has 15 years of experience or demonstrated portfolio consistent with experience required of the role.
• Demonstrated experience in risk management, enterprise or functional strategy, strategic program leadership, transformation, business operations, or related disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives from planning and design through execution.
• Experience establishing program governance, integrated workplans, milestones, dependencies, success measures, and executive reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and manage program risks, issues, dependencies, and competing priorities across multiple stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving capabilities, including the ability to operate effectively in ambiguous or evolving situations.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive alignment and accountability without direct authority.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and executive communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex information for different audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to develop actionable strategies, frameworks, programs, operating models, or organizational capabilities.
• Background and drug screen.

Nice To Haves

• Experience leading Risk workstreams within large-scale enterprise programs or business transformations.
• Experience designing or implementing Risk frameworks, programs, capabilities, governance structures, or operating models.
• Experience in payments, banking, fintech, financial services technology, or another regulated environment.
• Experience partnering across first- and second-line Risk functions.
• Experience supporting initiatives involving multiple internal functions and external partners.
• Relevant Risk management, program management, or related professional certification.

Responsibilities

• Translate enterprise and Risk priorities into functional strategies, roadmaps, initiatives, and execution plans that mature Risk capabilities and support business objectives.
• Support the development and ongoing evolution of short- and long-term Risk planning and priorities.
• Identify and assess emerging risk-management practices, industry developments, regulatory considerations, and business trends and translate them into relevant implications and recommendations.
• Connect Risk strategy with business priorities, operating needs, and execution across relevant functions.
• Apply structured problem-solving and sound judgment to complex or ambiguous issues, synthesizing information into actionable recommendations.
• Lead the Risk workstream for large, complex, cross-functional enterprise programs, representing Risk throughout planning, design, development, implementation, and execution.
• Translate program objectives into an integrated Risk workplan with defined deliverables, milestones, dependencies, decision points, owners, and success measures.
• Establish and maintain appropriate governance, operating rhythms, escalation paths, and reporting mechanisms to support effective execution.
• Coordinate activities across Risk teams and business partners to ensure requirements, decisions, dependencies, and deliverables are understood and appropriately incorporated into broader program plans.
• Proactively identify execution risks, constraints, dependencies, and emerging issues; facilitate resolution and escalate matters requiring senior leadership decisions.
• Monitor progress against commitments and drive accountability for timely completion of Risk deliverables.
• Provide clear and concise program updates to senior and executive stakeholders, including progress, decisions, risks, dependencies, and recommended actions.
• Partner with program and workstream leaders across the organization to resolve competing priorities and maintain alignment on intended outcomes.
• Lead the design, development, implementation, and ongoing maturation of Risk frameworks, programs, capabilities, and operating models.
• Define roles, responsibilities, processes, governance, controls, measures, and operating practices required to support sustainable Risk capabilities.
• Guide initiatives from initial concept and assessment through design, implementation, adoption, and measurement of outcomes.
• Identify opportunities to improve the effectiveness, scalability, integration, and consistency of Risk processes and capabilities.
• Partner with first- and second-line Risk teams and other stakeholders to strengthen integration and consistency of Risk practices and outcomes.
• Maintain an end-to-end perspective of how Risk activities, business processes, controls, stakeholders, and program dependencies interact.
• Serve as a trusted Risk advisor to senior and executive stakeholders on strategic initiatives, program execution, and Risk capability development.
• Synthesize complex Risk, regulatory, operational, and program information into clear narratives and decision-ready recommendations.
• Develop concise, executive-ready presentations and materials that communicate strategy, program status, key decisions, risks, and outcomes.
• Facilitate executive forums, working sessions, governance meetings, and decision discussions.
• Influence outcomes across functions and levels without direct authority and create alignment on priorities, ownership, decisions, and next steps.
• Review key deliverables to ensure quality, consistency, and alignment with intended strategic outcomes.
• Promote accountability, disciplined execution, collaboration, and continuous improvement across initiatives.

Benefits

• Competitive medical (PPO/HDHP), dental, and vision plans as well as company contributions to your Health Savings Account (HSA) or pre-tax savings through flexible spending accounts (FSA) for commuting, health & dependent care expenses.
• 100% Company Safe Harbor Match on your first 6% deferral immediately upon eligibility.
• Flexible Time Off for Exempt (salaried) employees, as well as generous PTO for Non-Exempt (hourly) employees, plus 11 paid company holidays and a paid volunteer day.
• 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave
• Maven Family Planning – provides support through your Parenting journey including egg freezing, fertility, adoption, surrogacy, pregnancy, postpartum, early pediatrics, and returning to work.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal