Commercial Banking: First-Line Risk Lead

Citizens; Johnston (RI); On-site; USD 84,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Citizens is seeking an experienced First Line Risk Manager to support Commercial Banking risk programs and governance. Location options include Johnston, RI or Westwood, MA, with a focus on independent RCSA execution, risk assessment, and control monitoring.

You will partner with Commercial Banking stakeholders to ensure risks are identified, measured, and remediated, while exercising strong judgment and influencing across Risk, Compliance, Audit, Operations, Product, and Technology.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience.
• 4+ years of experience in Risk Management, Operational Risk, First Line Risk, Compliance Risk, Controls, or related banking risk disciplines.
• Direct experience leading and executing Risk & Control Self-Assessments (RCSAs).
• Experience assessing control effectiveness and documenting risk conclusions.
• Experience managing issues, corrective actions, and remediation efforts.
• Experience supporting governance activities, audits, or regulatory examinations.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent risk judgment and challenge assumptions constructively.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute Risk & Control Self-Assessments (RCSAs) across Commercial Banking products, services, and processes.
• Identify, assess, document, and monitor risks and associated controls.
• Evaluate inherent and residual risk exposures and recommend risk mitigation strategies.
• Support risk assessments associated with new products, process changes, technology implementations, and business initiatives.
• Apply risk-based judgment to complex business situations and provide thoughtful recommendations to stakeholders.
• Execute control monitoring and control testing activities.
• Assess control design and operating effectiveness.
• Identify control gaps and recommend practical improvements.
• Document results, observations, conclusions, and corrective actions.
• Support audits, regulatory examinations, assurance reviews, and management responses.
• Author, track, validate, and close issues through governance processes.
• Perform root‑cause analysis and evaluate remediation sustainability.
• Challenge remediation plans when necessary and monitor trends.

Skills

RCSA execution

Risk assessment

Control testing

Stakeholder management

Governance reporting

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience

Tools

GRC platforms

Job description

Citizens is seeking an experienced First Line Risk Manager to support Commercial Banking risk programs and governance. Location options include Johnston, RI or Westwood, MA, with a focus on independent RCSA execution, risk assessment, and control monitoring.

You will partner with Commercial Banking stakeholders to ensure risks are identified, measured, and remediated, while exercising strong judgment and influencing across Risk, Compliance, Audit, Operations, Product, and Technology.