Sr. Director, Risk Management (LOD1) - Digital Assets

Early Warning® • New York, NY

6d • $226,000 - $282,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

At Early Warning, we’ve powered and protected the U.S. financial system for over thirty years with cutting-edge solutions like Zelle®, Paze℠, and so much more. As a trusted name in payments, we partner with thousands of institutions to increase access to financial services and protect transactions for hundreds of millions of consumers and small businesses. Positions located in Scottsdale, San Francisco, Chicago, or New York follow a hybrid work model to allow for a more collaborative working environment. Candidates responding to this position must independently possess the eligibility to work in the United States, for any employer, at the date of hire. This position is ineligible for employment Visa sponsorship. The Senior Director, Risk Management is responsible for the development, implementation and coordination of a centralized first-line of defense (LOD1) risk and internal control program for one or more Early Warning business lines. This role is designed to ensure risk programs and controls are implemented consistently and operating effectively across business lines as it relates to all risk types including strategic, operational, compliance and financial, and to drive that consistency in risk management practices throughout the business. This role also supports risk management for emerging products and capabilities, including digital asset–enabled and next-generation payment platforms, ensuring appropriate control design and operational readiness. The role will be required to align with Enterprise Risk Management leadership around the structure of the Three Lines of Defense (3LOD) Program.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or other related field of specialty.
• Typically a minimum of fifteen (15) or more years of progressive financial services industry experience; minimum of seven (7) or more years of experience within a three-lines of defense program.
• Demonstrated experience working in multiple risk disciplines including but not limited to technology, security, product, regulatory and compliance, third party, reputation, competitive, or other risk categories.
• Demonstrated success leading risk functions in a 3LOD environment.
• Strong influencing skills and the ability to lead in a matrixed environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a complex, highly regulated environment.
• Excellent problem solver with effective change management skills.
• Working knowledge of regulatory requirements specific to the business-lines.
• Excellent communication, organization and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to collaborate and build trust in business partners.
• Experience interacting with executive management.
• Background and drug screen required.

Nice To Haves

• Exposure to emerging payment technologies, digital asset–enabled platforms, or other evolving financial services capabilities is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Build, lead and drive the business line’s centralized LOD1 function, including strategic vision and implementation plans, acting as business-line liaison to Enterprise Risk Management, Operational Risk Management, and Compliance in support of the company’s 3LOD program.
• Drive a culture of risk management and risk management ownership through the business and enterprise, assisting business leaders in assuming appropriate risk management accountabilities and responsibilities.
• Work with Compliance and other Risk functions to understand and monitor applicable regulations and requirements, assess business impact and drive appropriate projects and processes to address needed changes.
• Partner with Product, Engineering, and Operations teams to identify and mitigate risks associated with new technologies, including digital asset–enabled capabilities, distributed systems, and evolving payment models.
• Lead first line risk management activities such as the execution of Risk and Control Self Assessments.
• Partner with Business Continuity Management on business’ participation in BC/DR tests, and own and maintain required process and technical recovery plans.
• Oversee and monitor the business-lines’ third-party relationships, including both performance and risk management, with consideration for external partners supporting emerging payment capabilities and technology integrations.
• Lead the business-line in the design and build of process maps in alignment with Early Warning’s Process Classification Framework.
• Own and maintain business-lines’ process inventory and internal control environment inventory.
• Understand the aggregate and cascading risks in the business; design, maintain, and report metrics (KPIs and KRIs) demonstrating control effectiveness.
• Identify and self-report issues through the ERM Self-Identified Issue Process, individually and together with other LOD1 business-line members.
• Direct the first line’s testing and monitoring of controls by risk owners; ensure risk remediation plans exist and are sufficient for all gaps and issues; track remediation plans to completion and ensure remediation is on-time and sustainable.
• Develop and drive periodic executive level reporting regarding business risk management activities, working closely with business-line leadership.
• Develop, in alignment with ERM, a 1st LOD risk management governance framework across the business lines to support decision making and escalation regarding risks that may not be consistent with the business’ risk tolerance.
• Deliver education and awareness of risk ownership essentials.
• Continually monitor and update assessments of the control environment, keeping abreast of significant control issues, trends and developments, including those related to emerging technologies and evolving regulatory expectations.
• Lead a team of risk professionals and provide leadership to first line risk leaders in other business lines.
• Support the company’s commitment to risk management and protecting the integrity and confidentiality of systems and data.

Benefits

• Healthcare Coverage – 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.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Featuring a 100% Company Safe Harbor Match on your first 6% deferral immediately upon eligibility.
• Paid Time Off – 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: Director