Senior Director, Third-Party Risk

S&P Global•New York, NY

About The Position

The Senior Director, Third-Party Risk works within the second-line Technology Risk & Resilience function and leads oversight of third-party risk. The role operationalizes the enterprise third-party risk framework in partnership with business leadership and key control functions, with particular emphasis on third-party cyber, technology, and dependency risk. It strengthens governance and oversight of vendor-provided services, external platforms—including cloud, SaaS, and AI providers—and critical dependencies. The role provides senior risk oversight, assessment, and advisory support for material third-party risks, and helps ensure that risk requirements are practical, risk-based, and incorporated into business decisions. It also improves executive visibility into external dependency exposures through mapping, concentration analysis, key risk indicators, and reporting, while continuously adapting the framework as the risk environment evolves.

Requirements

12 or more years of significant experience in third-party, technology, or cyber risk leadership in the second line, first-line control, audit, or an equivalent function.
Demonstrated experience assessing and communicating risks arising from vendors, external services, or dependencies, including cyber risk, operational resilience implications, and governance expectations.
Working knowledge of risk appetite, KRIs, issue management, and risk acceptance.
Familiarity with third-party and resilience regulatory expectations, such as DORA and the IOSCO outsourcing principles.
Strong track record of building partnerships across the business, key functions, and assurance teams to improve outcomes without creating friction.
Proven ability to produce clear, decision-ready risk reporting for leadership.
Working knowledge of using AI tools to enhance efficiency and productivity.
Experience with GRC platforms and continuous vendor monitoring tools.
Relevant certification, such as CISSP, CISM, CRISC, or other third-party risk credentials.
Indefinite right to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

Own and operationalize the enterprise third-party risk framework, including tiering, minimum due diligence standards, and risk tolerances, partnering with first-line leaders to drive consistent risk identification, prioritization, and mitigation.
Provide senior risk oversight, assessment, and advisory support on material third-party cyber and technology risks, including vendor security posture, the effectiveness of InfoSec cyber reviews, third-party incidents, and AI provider risk.
Facilitate risk discussions and document decision-quality outcomes.
Lead second-line oversight of risks introduced through third parties and external dependencies, including subcontractors, focusing on material vendors and services and their impact on availability, continuity, security posture, and concentration or dependency risk.
Partner with TPRM to ensure third-party technology and cyber risk requirements are practical, risk-based, and integrated into decision-making before commitments, including onboarding, renewals, and major changes.
Provide second-line challenge and guidance on third-party risk issues, remediation, and risk acceptances; ensure decisions are clear, time-bound, documented, and escalated appropriately when risks are elevated or outside tolerance.
Improve executive visibility into external dependency exposure through dependency mapping, concentration analysis, KRIs, and dependency-driven risk reporting.
Drive continuous improvement of the framework, including adjusting methodologies and thresholds as the risk environment evolves.