Operational Risk Officer

Software Guidance & Assistance, Inc. (SGA, Inc.); Jersey City (NJ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Software Guidance & Assistance, Inc. (SGA) is seeking an Operational Risk Officer on a contract basis for a premier financial services client in Jersey City, NJ.

The role focuses on strengthening third party risk management oversight across CIB, providing independent risk check and challenge over 1LOD processes. Responsibilities include governance, risk identification, control assessment, issue management, reporting, and escalation.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of operational risk and third party risk management.
• Experience with outsourcing governance and control frameworks.
• Familiarity with three lines of defense in financial services.

Responsibilities

• Provide independent review and challenge over 1LOD third party risk management.
• Partner with CIB Central teams on regional/global initiatives.
• Perform risk check and challenge across risk assessments and issues.
• Support governance and reporting for third party and operational risk.
• Oversee remediation plans and escalate overdue actions.
• Ensure framework alignment with group and regional requirements.

Skills

Operational risk management

Third party risk

Outsourcing governance

Control frameworks

Three lines of defense

Job description

Software Guidance & Assistance, Inc., (SGA), is searching for an Operational Risk Officer for a CONTRACT assignment with one of our premier Financial Services clients in Jersey City, NJ.The position is for an Operational Risk Officer focused on supporting and strengthening third party risk management oversight across CIB. The role provides independent Operational Risk check and challenge over the 1LOD Third Party program, including governance, risk identification, control assessment, issue management, reporting, and escalation activities.
The role partners closely with CIB Central teams, business stakeholders, procurement, legal, compliance, technology, and other control functions to support third party risk initiatives, promote consistent application of framework requirements, and ensure that material risks, control gaps, and remediation activities are identified, challenged, tracked, and escalated appropriately.

Responsibilities

• 1LOD Third Party Program Oversight : Provide independent review, challenge, and advisory support over 1LOD execution of third party risk management processes, including due diligence, risk assessment, ongoing monitoring, issue management, and governance routines. Provide independent Operational Risk oversight, review, and challenge over CIB third party risk management activities, with a focus on the effective execution of 1LOD responsibilities and alignment with applicable policies, procedures, and risk appetite expectations.
• CIB Central Partnership : Partner with CIB Central teams on regional and global initiatives, framework enhancements, remediation programs, regulatory commitments, and process improvements related to third party and outsourcing risk. Partner with CIB Central teams and other stakeholders on third party risk initiatives, including governance enhancements, control improvements, remediation programs, data quality improvements, and regulatory or audit-driven deliverables.
• Operational Risk Check and Challenge : Execute BAU check and challenge activities across risk and control self-assessments, key risk indicators, risk events, control testing outcomes, action plans, and governance materials, ensuring that risks are clearly articulated, appropriately assessed, and escalated where required.
• Governance and Reporting : Support preparation and review of management reporting, committee materials, regulatory updates, risk appetite metrics, and escalation packs related to third party risk and operational risk management.
• Issue and Remediation Oversight : Challenge the adequacy of remediation plans, monitor progress against milestones, assess evidence of closure, and escalation overdue or ineffective remediation where required.
• Framework Alignment : Help ensure local practices remain aligned with applicable Group, regional, and CIB requirements for third party, outsourcing, operational resilience, and operational risk management.

Required Skills

• Strong understanding of operational risk management, third party risk management, outsourcing governance, control frameworks, and the three lines of defense model within a financial services environment.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to provide effective challenge, influence outcomes, and explain risk and control matters clearly to both senior and working-level stakeholders.
• Third Party Risk Management: Experience reviewing or overseeing third party lifecycle activities, including inherent risk assessment, due diligence, contractual controls, ongoing monitoring, concentration risk, exit strategy, and issue remediation.
• Operational Risk Check and Challenge: Ability to assess the design and operating effectiveness of controls, identify control gaps, challenge risk ratings, and evaluate the adequacy of action plans and closure evidence.
• Governance and Reporting: Experience preparing, reviewing, and challenging management information, committee materials, risk appetite metrics, issue tracking, and senior management updates.
• Regulatory and Audit Awareness: Knowledge of regulatory expectations (including but not limited to US Interagency Third Party Risk Management Guidance), audit practices, and evidence standards relevant to third party, outsourcing, operational resilience, and operational risk management.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management, and business relationship skills, with the ability to connect technical teams with junior and senior business stakeholders.

SGA is a technology and resource solutions provider driven to stand out. We are a women-owned business. Our mission: to solve big IT problems with a more personal, boutique approach. Each year, we match consultants like you to more than 1,000 engagements. When we say let's work better together, we mean it. You'll join a diverse team built on these core values: customer service, employee development, and quality and integrity in everything we do. Be yourself, love what you do and find your passion at work. Please find us at https://sgainc.com/.

SGA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of Race, Color, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Religion, National Origin, Disability, Veteran Status, Age, Marital Status, Pregnancy, Genetic Information, or Other Legally Protected Status. We are committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, and our services, programs, and activities. Please visit our company EEO page to request an accommodation or assistance regarding our policy.