3rd Party Risk Management - Associate

Santander Consumer USA Inc.; City of Albany (NY); On-site; USD 71,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Santander Consumer USA Inc. is seeking a skilled 3rd Party Risk Management Associate to manage vendor relationships, perform risk assessments, and ensure compliance with TPRM standards. You will coordinate reviews, onboarding, insurance certificates, and cross-functional collaboration to optimize vendor performance.

The role emphasizes leadership, organization, and negotiation within a fast-paced financial services environment, with a strong focus on risk controls and regulatory alignment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in vendor management or related role.
• Proven track record of managing vendor relationships and driving results.
• Strong understanding of Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) standards and best practices.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills with the ability to influence stakeholders.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with vendor management software preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and perform business reviews and exit-strategy reviews while ensuring adherence to TPRM standards.
• Serve as primary vendor contact, maintaining open communication and addressing issues promptly.
• Manage onboarding processes for new vendors, timelines, and documentation; facilitate introductory meetings.
• Request and review certificates of insurance to ensure contractual compliance.
• Oversee timely upload and review of vendor reports for data accuracy and completeness.
• Collaborate with procurement, legal, and finance to streamline vendor-related processes.
• Monitor vendor performance metrics and provide updates to stakeholders; implement corrective actions as needed.
• Build and maintain partnerships with business line owners you support.

Skills

Vendor management

Partner relations

Negotiation

Communication

Organization

MS Office

Vendor management software

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field

Tools

Vendor management software

Job description

It Starts Here:

Santander is a global leader and innovator in the financial services industry and is evolving from a high‑impact brand into a technology‑driven organization. Our people are at the heart of this journey and together, we are driving a customer‑centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what’s possible. This is more than a strategic shift. It’s a chance for driven professionals to grow, learn, and make a real difference.

If you are interested in exploring the possibilities We Want to Talk to You!

The Difference You Make:

As a 3rd Party Risk Management Associate, you will play a crucial role in managing and nurturing relationships with our vendors to optimize performance and drive business growth. This role requires strong organization skills and excellent leadership skills. You will be responsible for conducting business reviews, review vendors performance and ensure compliance with our Third‑Party Risk Management (TPRM) standards. Additionally, you will participate and contract negotiations, review Business continuity plans, SOC audits and certificates of insurance.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and perform business reviews, review exit strategies, conduct Inherent Risk Assessments, while ensuring adherence to TPRM Standards.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for vendors, maintaining open lines of communication and addressing any concerns or issues promptly.
• Manage the onboarding process for new vendors, including setting timelines, coordinating necessary documentation, and facilitating introductory meetings.
• Request and review certificates of insurance from vendors to ensure compliance with contractual requirements.
• Oversee the timely upload and review of vendor reports, ensuring accuracy and completeness of data.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with internal teams, including procurement, legal, and finance, to streamline processes and resolve any vendor‑related issues.
• Monitor vendor performance metrics and provide regular updates to internal stakeholders, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions when necessary.
• Build and maintaining strong partnerships with the various business line owners you will support

What You Bring:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, supply chain management, or equivalent work experience – Required.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in vendor management, partner relations, or a similar role within similar industry – Required.
• Proven track record of successfully managing vendor relationships and driving results.
• Strong understanding of TPRM standards and best practices.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to build rapport and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience with vendor management software is preferred.es.

Certifications:

• No Certifications listed for this job.

It Would Be Nice For You To Have:

• Established work history or equivalent demonstrated through a combination of work experience, training, military service, or education.

Work Authorization & Sponsorship:

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis without requiring employer sponsorship to commence employment.

What Else You Need To Know:

The base pay range for this position is posted below and represents the annualized salary range. For hourly positions (non‑exempt), the annual range is based on a 40‑hour work week. The exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, training, licensure and certifications and location.

Base Pay Range:

Minimum:
$71,250.00 USD

Maximum:
$120,000.00 USD

We Value Your Impact:

Your contribution matters and it’s recognized. You can expect a fair and competitive rewards package that reflects the impact you create and the value you deliver. We know rewards go beyond numbers. Offering more than just a paycheck our benefits are designed to support you, your family and your well‑being, now and into the future. Santander Benefits - 2026 Santander OnGoing/NH eGuide (foleon.com)

Risk Culture:

We embrace a strong risk culture and all of our professionals at all levels are expected to take a proactive and responsible approach toward risk management.

EEO Statement:

At Santander, we value and respect differences in our workforce. We actively encourage everyone to apply. Santander is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Working Conditions:

Frequent minimal physical effort such as sitting, standingand walking is required for this role. Depending on location, occasional moving and lifting light equipment and/or furniture may be required.

Employer Rights:

This job description does not list all of the job duties of the job. You may be asked by your supervisors or managers to perform other duties. You may be evaluated in part based upon your performance of the tasks listed in this job description. The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time. This job description is not a contract for employment and either you or the employer may terminate your employment at any time for any reason.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible application process for all candidates. If you require any assistance or accommodation due to a disability or any other reason, please contact us at [e-mail] to discuss your needs.