Senior Risk Specialist

Vanguard•Malvern, PA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

Senior Risk Specialist, Third-Party Risk Management This role serves as a strategic and operational anchor for Vanguard’s assessment management function, driving the evolution, scalability, and effectiveness of the TPRM program. This role blends deep subject‑matter expertise with strong project leadership to enhance assessment execution, strengthen oversight capabilities, and ensure alignment with Vanguard’s third‑party risk policies, standards, and regulatory expectations. Operating at the center of the TPRM ecosystem, the Senior Risk Specialist enables a consistent, risk‑informed, and high‑quality assessment process, coordinating across internal partners and external vendors to identify emerging risks, deliver actionable insights, and support confident, well‑governed third‑party decision‑making. Core Responsibilites Strategic Leadership & Scalability Contribute to the development and implementation of scalable frameworks and methodologies that support increasing assessment volume and complexity. Partner with senior leadership and key stakeholders to align TPRM strategies with enterprise risk management objectives, ensuring the function remains agile and responsive to emerging risks. Apply strong project management rigor to refine the third‑party risk assessment operating model, improving execution, outcomes, and service delivery. Drive innovation in assessment processes through automation, data analytics, and continuous improvement initiatives. Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of industry standards and regulatory expectations. Champion the integration of strategic insights into operational practices to elevate TPRM program maturity and effectiveness. Third‑Party Risk Assessment Execution Conduct comprehensive third‑party risk assessments, ensuring all required documentation, evidence, and information are gathered, analyzed, and validated. Serve as the primary point of contact for vendors and engagement leads throughout the assessment lifecycle, addressing questions and ensuring a smooth process. Identify potential risks and vulnerabilities within third‑party relationships and provide clear, actionable mitigation recommendations. Ensure all TPRM activities adhere to Vanguard policies, standards, and regulatory requirements. Cross‑Functional Collaboration Work closely with internal partners, including risk domains, Legal, Compliance, Procurement, and business units, to support a coordinated and consistent approach to third‑party risk management. Build strong cross‑functional relationships, fostering trust, transparency, and alignment across divisions and teams. Deliver clear, risk‑informed consultation that supports informed decision‑making and enhances stakeholder credibility. Continuous Improvement & Project Leadership Serve as a project lead for complex, multi‑workstream initiatives, driving continuous improvement and advancing oversight and assurance capabilities. Apply structured planning, documentation discipline, and issue‑resolution skills to deliver high‑quality enhancements. Leverage project management tools to maintain accurate reporting, metrics, dashboards, and supporting documentation. Identify and implement opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, and consistency of TPRM processes. Participate in training and development activities to remain current with industry trends and best practices.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Risk Management, or a related field.
3+ years of experience in third‑party risk management, vendor management, or a related risk discipline.
Strong understanding of risk management principles and practices.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities independently in a fast‑paced environment.
Strong organizational and time‑management skills.
Demonstrated flexibility, sound judgment, and adaptability.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and risk management systems/tools.

Nice To Haves

Professional certifications such as CTPRP, PMP, CPA, CIA, or CISI.
Experience within the financial services industry.

Responsibilities

Contribute to the development and implementation of scalable frameworks and methodologies that support increasing assessment volume and complexity.
Partner with senior leadership and key stakeholders to align TPRM strategies with enterprise risk management objectives, ensuring the function remains agile and responsive to emerging risks.
Apply strong project management rigor to refine the third‑party risk assessment operating model, improving execution, outcomes, and service delivery.
Drive innovation in assessment processes through automation, data analytics, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of industry standards and regulatory expectations.
Champion the integration of strategic insights into operational practices to elevate TPRM program maturity and effectiveness.
Conduct comprehensive third‑party risk assessments, ensuring all required documentation, evidence, and information are gathered, analyzed, and validated.
Serve as the primary point of contact for vendors and engagement leads throughout the assessment lifecycle, addressing questions and ensuring a smooth process.
Identify potential risks and vulnerabilities within third‑party relationships and provide clear, actionable mitigation recommendations.
Ensure all TPRM activities adhere to Vanguard policies, standards, and regulatory requirements.
Work closely with internal partners, including risk domains, Legal, Compliance, Procurement, and business units, to support a coordinated and consistent approach to third‑party risk management.
Build strong cross‑functional relationships, fostering trust, transparency, and alignment across divisions and teams.
Deliver clear, risk‑informed consultation that supports informed decision‑making and enhances stakeholder credibility.
Serve as a project lead for complex, multi‑workstream initiatives, driving continuous improvement and advancing oversight and assurance capabilities.
Apply structured planning, documentation discipline, and issue‑resolution skills to deliver high‑quality enhancements.
Leverage project management tools to maintain accurate reporting, metrics, dashboards, and supporting documentation.
Identify and implement opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, and consistency of TPRM processes.
Participate in training and development activities to remain current with industry trends and best practices.