First Line Risk & Control Associate Director

westernalliancebank; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Alliance Bank is seeking an experienced First Line Risk & Control Associate Director to lead risk programs and strengthen the control environment across the enterprise. You will guide risk assessments, drive improvements, and ensure regulatory alignment while partnering with business units to mitigate legal and compliance risks.

You will manage a team, hire and coach staff, and coordinate risk activities across Digital, Operational, and Compliance domains, promoting a strong risk culture

Qualifications

• 10+ years of related experience in Risk Management, Regulatory Compliance, Internal Audit or similar field.
• Bachelor's degree in related field required.
• Advanced to expert knowledge of control testing.
• Previous leadership experience required.
• Advanced knowledge of general banking operations, including deposits, loans, treasury, and related services.
• Advanced knowledge of applicable regulatory and legal obligations.
• Advanced to expert experience in Compliance, Operations Management, Audit, or Risk Management.
• Advanced to expert knowledge of Control Programs including RCSA (Risk & Control Self-Assessment).
• Experience in developing and implementing new controls, action plans, and root-cause analysis.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team responsible for evaluating risk strategies, mitigation approaches, and risk exposure analysis.
• Drive control enhancements and ensure alignment with regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with business units to improve the control environment and resolve issues.
• Perform risk assessments, report key risks, and support risk-based decision making.
• Provide risk training and guidance on change management initiatives.
• Develop and oversee risk programs across Digital, Operational, Strategic, Legal, and Compliance areas.

Skills

Risk Management

Regulatory Compliance

Internal Audit

Leadership

Banking Operations Knowledge

Regulatory Knowledge

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Job description

Job Title:

First Line Risk & Control Associate Director

Location:

CityScape

What you'll do:

As a First Line Risk & Control Associate Director you'll work as part of the first line of defense to implement and enhance the risk management programs within the company's risk framework. You'll lead a team responsible for the evaluation of risk strategies and mitigation approaches, risk exposure analysis, and drive control enhancement implementations. In this role you'll partner with the business to improve the control environment and resolve open issues. You'll work to collaborate across the enterprise to ensure business units meet regulatory requirements and corporate standards. In addition, you'll execute various preventative risk management activities and initiatives such as risk and control assessments and operational risk events reporting key risk indicator reporting, and new initiative processes. Identify, quantify, and report risk across the Bank highlighting key risks to enable risk-based decisions, and actions by business leadership. Lead a team in performing Risk and Control Assessment walk-throughs and provide consultation on existing and new processes and, where appropriate, facilitate documentation to include the identification of business risks and controls. Support the Business to develop and enhance controls to mitigate legal, regulatory, and other applicable business risks. Provide consultation on the design of controls and monitors until execution. Champion a strong risk culture for the company by elevating the risk knowledge base of associates and leaders and deploying risk management best practices across the organization. Foster effective partnerships across the firm with risk subject matter experts to implement risk programs commensurate with the risk profile, i.e. Digital Risk, Operational Risk, Strategic Risk, Legal and Compliance, etc. Develop and share deep knowledge and understanding of the broader industry, risk management best practices and discipline, and emerging risks to the financial services industry. Ensure accuracy and timeliness for operational risk event reporting. Provide relevant risk training to meet current and evolving organizational requirements and/or business needs. Provide consultation on change management initiatives. Identify and lead initiatives to improve internal processes as well as develop and support the team to ensure they are equipped and empowered to execute the assigned functions. Participate in forums with business stakeholders to ensure ongoing risk coverage and oversight. Lead and develop a team; responsible for hiring, coaching, performance management, training and development.

What you'll need:

• 10+ years of related experience in Risk Management, Regulatory Compliance, Internal Audit or similar field.
• Bachelor's degree in related field required.
• Advanced to expert knowledge and understanding of control testing
• Previous leadership experience required.
• Advanced knowledge of general banking operations, including deposit operations, loan administration, treasury management and/or other commercial banking products and services.
• Advanced knowledge of applicable regulatory and legal compliance obligations, rules and regulations, industry standards and practices.
• Advanced to expert experience in Compliance, Operations Management, Audit, Risk Management, or a related field.
• Advanced to expert knowledge and understanding of Control Programs including Risk and Control Self-Assessments.
• Advanced to expert experience in the development and implementation of new controls, action plans, and root cause analysis.
• Advanced speaking and writing communication skills.

Benefits you'll love:

• We offer all the important things you'd want - like competitive salaries, an ownership stake in the company, medical and dental insurance, time off, a great 401k matching program, tuition assistance program, an employee volunteer program, and a wellness program.
• In addition, you'll have the opportunity to bolster your business knowledge, learning the ins and outs of how successful companies operate and manage their finances, giving you invaluable hands‑on experience to help grow your career!

About the company:

Western Alliance Bank, Member FDIC, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Western Alliance Bancorporation. Serving clients nationwide, Western Alliance Bank includes six legacy bank brands - Alliance Association Bank, Alliance Bank of Arizona, Bank of Nevada, Bridge Bank, First Independent Bank and Torrey Pines Bank - that remain part of the company's heritage, as well as AmeriHome Mortgage, a Western Alliance Bank Company.

Western Alliance Bancorporation is committed to equal employment and will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, sex, color, religion, age, nation origin, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or genetic information.

Western Alliance Bancorporation is committed to working with and providing "