First-Line Risk Manager — Commercial Banking Leader

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

Retirement benefits

Maternity/paternity leave

Flexible work arrangements

Education reimbursement

Wellness programs

Job summary

Citizens Bank in Johnston, RI or Westwood, MA is seeking an experienced First Line Risk Manager for Commercial Banking to independently execute risk programs, assess controls, and partner with stakeholders to manage risk across products and processes.

The role demands strong risk judgment, collaboration across Risk, Compliance, Audit, Operations, Product, and Technology, and a track record in executing RCSAs within a banking environment.

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 judgement 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 established governance processes.
• Perform root-cause analysis and evaluate the sustainability of remediation activities.
• Challenge remediation plans where necessary to ensure issues are fully addressed.
• Monitor issue trends and identify emerging risks requiring escalation.
• Maintain risk, control, process, and issue inventories.
• Ensure alignment between risks, controls, policies, procedures, assessments, and remediation activities.
• Prepare governance reporting, metrics, and management presentations.
• Participate in risk governance forums and stakeholder discussions.
• Partner closely with Commercial Banking stakeholders to support responsible growth.
• Provide effective challenge while maintaining strong working relationships.
• Collaborate across Risk, Compliance, Audit, Operations, Product, Technology, and business teams to drive sound risk management decisions.

Skills

RCSA execution

Risk assessment

Control testing

Governance reporting

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

GRC platforms

Job description

Citizens Bank in Johnston, RI or Westwood, MA is seeking an experienced First Line Risk Manager for Commercial Banking to independently execute risk programs, assess controls, and partner with stakeholders to manage risk across products and processes.

The role demands strong risk judgment, collaboration across Risk, Compliance, Audit, Operations, Product, and Technology, and a track record in executing RCSAs within a banking environment.