Operational Risk Senior Advisor

M&T Bank; New York (NY); On-site; USD 151,000 - 251,000; Full time

Job summary

M&T Bank in New York, NY seeks an experienced risk professional to deliver independent, risk-based challenge and 2nd line risk management services. You will work with Technology, Product Owners, and senior leadership to guide risk practices and ensure regulatory expectations are met.

The role emphasizes collaboration, independence, and adapting risk concepts to evolving technologies and business models. Strong communication and governance experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with substantial risk-related experience.
• Proven analytical and communication skills across levels.
• Experience with applicable risk frameworks, laws, and governance.

Responsibilities

• Provide oversight and challenge of risk identification, assessment, monitoring and reporting.
• Escalate gaps and assess remediation adequacy and timeliness.
• Prepare risk opinions and presentations for senior leadership.
• Collaborate with first and second line risk teams to ensure consistency.
• Assess issues and determine root cause and effectiveness of remediation.
• Engage with external peers to stay aware of evolving risks.

Skills

Analytical skills

Written and verbal communication

Proficient computer skills

Knowledge of applicable laws

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

12+ years combined education/work experience including 8 years in risk

Tools

Operational Risk Tools

Job description

Overview:

This position is responsible for delivery of independent, risk-based challenge and 2nd line risk management services in alignment with the Operational Risk Management Framework, applicable policies, regulatory expectations, and industry standards. The role reports to an Operational Risk Senior Manager and supports providing independent and objective insights to guide and influence business risk management in the enhancement and implementation of their risk management practices. The role will assess risks, threats and opportunities, including those arising from evolving technologies, customer-facing digital channels, data-driven decisioning, and emerging business models. The individual is knowledgeable both with respect to Operational Risk Management concepts, inclusive of industry best practices and the businesses they oversee, inclusive of experience with technology-enabled process risk, third-party dependencies, data and model risk intersections, resilience and change management risk. This role requires execution in a manner that supports collaboration and efficiency amongst risk partners, effective interaction with Technology and Product Owners, and meets the expectations of senior management, risk governance and audit and regulatory expectations. The position requires the ability to function with a level of independence in the oversight and/or execution of their role, as well as working effectively within the department. The area of oversight for this role is rapidly evolving and changing. The position requires flexibility and the ability to leverage risk concepts and tools into new areas that may not have well defined/documented processes.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provides oversight and critical challenge of the identification, assessment, monitoring, mitigation and reporting of all significant risks throughout the business/function.
• Challenge unmitigated risks in accordance with risk framework and assess adequacy and timeliness of remediation. Escalate identified gaps appropriately
• Prepare, review, and present clear, well-supported risk opinions, reports, and presentations for senior leadership addressing the state of the operational risk environment, emerging risks, and key themes.
• Support ORM’s Framework with First Line Risk. Monitor execution for alignment with ORM policies and guidance, as well as supervisory expectations.
• Collaborate with first line risk teams, technology risk, compliance, model risk, and other second line partners to drive consistency, transparency, and value-added risk management outcomes
• Assess issues, control failures, or policy breaches to determine whether root cause has been adequately identified by first line and remediation plans are effective and sustainable.
• Interact with external peers and members of professional organizations to remain aware of changing or emerging risks and proactively bring key information to team for inclusion/consideration in continuous monitoring and/or other oversight activities.

Supervisory/ Managerial Responsibilities:

No direct management but may provide guidance to others.

Education and Experience Required:

Bachelor’s degree and eight years' experience in compliance, legal, audit, risk or other relevant function,

OR in lieu of degree,

A combined minimum twelve years’ higher education and/or work experience including eight years’ experience in compliance, legal, audit, risk or other relevant function.

Proficient computer skills (including spreadsheet and word processing software), analytical skills, working knowledge of applicable laws, written and verbal communications w/ all levels.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Eight years of progressive-growth experience within Operational Risk Management, Technology Risk Management, and/or Enterprise Risk Management.
• Hands‑on experience in Operational Risk Tools, Metrics, and Monitoring Reports development and /or enhancement projects.
• Second line Operational Risk experience with a Cat 3 or larger financial institution.
• Project planning experience or Project Management certification.
• Risk oversight or direct experience in core bank support functions, including but not limited to: Premises, Corporate Security, Procurement and Vendor Management, Communications, Legal, Human Resources

M&T Bank is committed to fair, competitive, and market-informed pay for our employees. The pay range for this position is $150,800.00 - $251,300.00 Annual (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation.

Location

New York, New York, United States of America