First Line Risk Program Lead - Technology & Enterprise Operations

001 Manufacturers and Traders Trust Co; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 149,000; Full time

Job summary

M&T Bank Corporation in Buffalo, New York is seeking an experienced risk management professional to lead first line risk programs, including RCSA, control testing, issues management, and risk reporting. You will guide Risk Advisors, managers and leadership while ensuring alignment with the Enterprise Risk Framework.

This hybrid role combines four days onsite with one remote day per week, focusing on governance, data quality, executive reporting and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• RCSA, control testing, issues management and risk reporting responsibilities.
• Experience advising managers and leadership on risk methodologies, frameworks and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Provide oversight for first line risk programs including RCSA, control testing, issues management and risk reporting.
• Serve as SME and advisor on risk management methodologies, frameworks, processes and best practices.
• Establish, maintain and improve program governance, templates and quality standards.
• Perform quality reviews of risk deliverables for accuracy and completeness.
• Develop enhancements to strengthen effectiveness and maturity of risk programs.
• Monitor execution, identify trends and provide leadership with improvement recommendations.
• Translate regulatory requirements into actionable guidance for teams.
• Lead complex risk initiatives and executive-level projects with visibility and impact.

Skills

RCSA

Control Testing

Issues Management

Risk Reporting

Governance

Advisory

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

This role is four days onsite at our Bridgeport Center location, with the flexibility to work from home one day per week Overview: Implement defined first line of defense risk management initiatives within the business unit in support of the Enterprise Risk Framework. Manage the risk work and employee assignments to those initiatives responsible for risk and control functions in the business unit. Serve as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for execution of risk functions.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide oversight and guidance for the execution of key First Line Risk programs, including RCSA, Control Testing, Issues Management, and Risk Reporting, promoting consistent application of enterprise standards.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and advisor to Risk Advisors, managers, and leadership on risk management methodologies, frameworks, processes, and best practices.
• Establish, maintain, and enhance program governance, procedures, templates, and quality standards to promote consistent and effective execution across teams.
• Perform quality reviews over risk program deliverables to ensure accuracy, completeness, and adherence to enterprise guidance.
• Develop and implement enhancements that strengthen the effectiveness, efficiency, and maturity of First Line Risk programs.
• Monitor program execution across teams, identify trends, risks, emerging issues, and opportunities for improvement, and provide recommendations to leadership.
• Support enterprise and regulatory initiatives by translating requirements into actionable guidance.
• Lead complex risk management initiatives and special projects that have significant visibility and impact across the organization.
• Develop executive presentations that provide leadership with meaningful insights into risk exposures, control effectiveness, program performance, and emerging risks.
• Partner with stakeholders to enhance reporting capabilities, data quality, and risk program metrics.
• Provide consultation, coaching, and support to Risk Advisors and risk program participants on the execution of risk management activities.
• Promote consistency in the interpretation and application of risk management standards across business units and capabilities.
• Identify training needs and facilitate knowledge sharing, education, and continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen organizational risk management capabilities.
• Provide oversight of RCSAs, control assessments, testing results, remediation plans, and issue management activities.
• Evaluate risks and control environments to identify potential gaps, emerging risks, and areas requiring management attention.
• Support leadership in the escalation, communication, and resolution of significant risk, control, and regulatory matters.
• Implement and oversee the adherence to policies and procedures for the business unit. This includes identifying updates or enhancements as business unit processes change.
• In addition, assist in responding to both internal and external requests in relation to departmental processes and procedures.
• Provide informal coaching of staff.
• Provide input to manager with regard to staff performance and growth/development of staff functions and responsibilities for risk initiatives they lead.
• Adhere to applicable compliance/operational risk controls in accordance with Company or regulatory standards and policies.
• Promote an environment that supports belonging and reflects the M&T Bank brand.
• Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable.
• Complete other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Required: Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years' relevant work experience, or in lieu of a degree, a combined minimum of 9 years' higher education and/or work experience, including a minimum of 5 years' relevant work experience M&T Bank is committed to fair, competitive, and market-informed pay for our employees. The pay range for this position is $89,600.00 - $149,300.00 Annual (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation.

Location Buffalo, New York, United States of America

Great companies have an enduring sense of purpose. At M&T, our purpose is a simple one: make a difference in people’s lives and uplift the communities we serve. M&T Bank Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. M&T’s affiliates offer advice, guidance, expertise and solutions across the entire financial spectrum, combining M&T Bank’s traditional banking services with the wealth management and institutional capabilities offered by Wilmington Trust. M&T Bank has a network of over 1,000 branches and 2,200 ATMs that span 12 states from Maine to Virginia and Washington, D.C. For more than 165 years, M&T has strived to take an active role in our communities and build long-lasting relationships with our customers. We are a bank for communities—combining the capabilities of a large bank with the care of a locally focused institution. As an employer of choice, we are proud to offer competitive benefits ranging from medical and retirement to forty hours of paid volunteer time, each year. Our core values – integrity, ownership, collaboration, curiosity, and candor – drive the work we do. We seek to further build upon our record of success by bringing in top talent and fresh skill sets while continuing to support the growth and development of all our team members.

View M&T’s Human Capital Report to learn more.

M&T Bank is unwavering when it comes to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, age, disability, citizenship, pregnancy, veteran status, military status, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local laws.

M&T Bank Corporation has policies and procedures in place to promote a drug free workplace.