Senior Lead, Operational Risk, Third Party Risk Management

Early Warning Services LLC; Scottsdale (AZ); Hybrid; USD 129,000 - 161,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

401(k) match

Paid time off

Parental leave

Family planning support

Job summary

Early Warning Services LLC is seeking a senior leader to own and advance the Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) program across multiple portfolios. You will lead a high-performing team to drive risk governance, onboarding, and ongoing monitoring of third parties in a regulated financial context.

The role requires deep experience in third-party risk, regulatory knowledge, and the ability to influence across Procurement, Legal, Security, Compliance, and Technology.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 10+ years of direct/related third party risk management experience.
• 5+ years in financial institutions with third party risk.
• Data gathering, analysis, and problem solving.
• Experience leading high performing teams.
• Process-driven with scalable procedures.
• Strong attention to detail and results orientation.
• Knowledge of operational, data protection, or information security risk.

Responsibilities

• Lead the TPRM program and associated projects.
• Manage onboarding, risk assessments, and monitoring of third parties.
• Develop and maintain risk governance frameworks and policies.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across Procurement, Legal, Security, Compliance and Technology.
• Provide SME guidance to 1LOD and 2LOD.
• Design KPI/KRI reporting and enhance risk reporting.

Skills

Risk management

Leadership

Data analysis

Regulatory knowledge

Vendor risk

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

GRC tools

Job description

At Early Warning, we’ve powered and protected the U.S. financial system for over thirty years with cutting‑edge solutions like Zelle®, Paze℠, and so much more. As a trusted name in payments, we partner with thousands of institutions to increase access to financial services and protect transactions for hundreds of millions of consumers and small businesses. Positions located in Scottsdale, San Francisco, Chicago, or NewYork follow a hybrid work model to allow for a more collaborative working environment. Candidates responding to this posting must independently possess the eligibility to work in the United States, for any employer, at the date of hire. This position is ineligible for employment Visa sponsorship.

This role will be responsible multiple portfolios and leading a team of high performing talent to deliver against the mission of the Third Party Risk Management organization and achieve strategic success.

OVERALL PURPOSE

This position is responsible for providing subject matter expertise, managing, and performing key functions necessary to satisfy requirements of the Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) program, including program projects and initiatives. Responsibilities of this position include driving the execution of the Third Party Risk Management Lifecycle which provides a framework for a common enterprise approach for the governance, development, execution, and sustainability of the Program across financial, operational, and regulatory aspects of the related policies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Execute Flawlessly: Executes and oversees all aspects of the TPRM Program function including working with and overseeing business teams on onboarding, risk assessments and ongoing monitoring of third parties, maintenance of detailed procedural documents and updates to policy per EWS risk appetite and regulatory changes.
• Solving Problems: Leverages experience to evaluate the adequacy, effectiveness and execution of policies, procedures, processes, and internal controls; recommends and drives improvements or enhancements in alignment with internal strategies, industry best practices, standard security frameworks, and regulatory guidance.
• Understanding internal and external clients’ business environment and basic risk management approaches. Assists in the selection and tailoring of approaches, methods, and tools to support both internal and external data control policies.
• Relationships Fostered: Champions a high‑performing environment attracting, retaining, and motivating both direct and indirect team members. Builds and fosters a strong rapport and relationship across the enterprise to collaborate with key stakeholder including Procurement, Legal, Security, Compliance, Privacy, Technology, and other business functions to identify, assess and design plans to mitigate and monitor risks associated with third parties.
• Provides ongoing consulting and subject matter expertise to 1LOD and 2LOD as it relates to third party risk management.
• Strategically Centered: Collaborate with management in the design, maintenance, and reporting of Key Performance and Key Risk indicators; develops and provides a regular reporting framework on third party risk management to deliver meaningful reporting across all areas; utilizes reporting to evaluate adherence to program within 1LOD and 2LOD to identify opportunities and best practices to influence risk taking activities in alignment with risk appetite.
• Ensures appropriate prioritization of third‑party resources as it relates to Program functions.
• Executes against a training and communication plan for the TPRM Program to support effective cross‑functional execution of the Program across the organization.
• Lead and oversee various enterprise risk management projects as assigned including development of process maps, risks, control, and testing in alignment with Early Warning’s Process risk management framework.
• Risk management culture: Supports the company’s commitment to risk management and protecting the integrity and confidentiality of systems and data.
• Innovation Minded: Identifies and drives opportunities to mature the TPRM Program, through ongoing assessment to ensure that it is fit for purpose and effectively enabling the business to reduce material risk exposures and extend risk‑taking activity as it relates to third parties where the business benefits outweigh the risks.
• Identifies, prioritizes, and pursues opportunities to enhance EWS’s third party risk management processes and introduce innovative approaches and solutions to optimize efficiency and effectiveness.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education and/or experience typically obtained through completion of a bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline;
• A minimum of 10+ years of direct/ related third party risk management experience is required;
• 5+ years prior financial institution experience in third party risk management and an understanding of contractual arrangements with third parties;
• Experience in data gathering, analysis and problem‑solving skills, with ability to summarize raw data into a cohesive story for management and stakeholders.
• Extensive experience leading high performing teams with willingness to roll up sleeves do the work, and a passion for driving program evolution and continuous improvement;
• Process driven and experienced being able to develop and execute processes that scale;
• Strong attention to detail and highly results oriented;
• Demonstrated experience in operational risk, data protection risk, information security risk, or other risk management role with knowledge of third‑party regulatory requirements;
• Broad banking understanding and knowledge of security approaches that support operational processes;
• Background and drug screen.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Professional Third Party certifications including Regulatory Vendor Program Manager (CRVM), Certified Third Party Risk Professional (CTPRP) and other industry relevant certifications.
• Project or Process management experience.
• Professional information security certifications (e.g., Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Third Party Risk Professional (CTPRP).
• Experience working with enterprise GRC tools and automation.
• Experience with ISO, GLBA, FFIEC, NIST and other pertinent compliance regulations and guidelines.
• Experience with Shared Assessments Standard Information Gathering Questionnaire (SIG) and processes.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Working conditions consist of a normal office environment. Work is primarily sedentary and requires extensive use of a computer and involves sitting for periods of approximately four hours. Work may require occasional standing, walking, kneeling, and reaching. Must be able to lift 10 pounds occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently. Requires visual acuity and dexterity to view, prepare, and manipulate documents and office equipment including personal computers. Requires the ability to communicate with internal and/or external customers. Employee must be able to perform essential functions and physical requirements of position with or without reasonable accommodation.

The base pay scale for this position in: Phoenix, AZ/ Chicago, IL / Washington, DC in USD per year is: $129,000 - $161,000. NewYork, NY/ SanFrancisco, CA in USD per year is: $154,000 - $193,000. Additionally, candidates are eligible for a discretionary incentive plan and benefits. This pay scale is subject to change and is not necessarily reflective of actual compensation that may be earned, nor a promise of any specific pay for any specific candidate, which is always dependent on legitimate factors considered at the time of job offer.

Early Warning Services takes into consideration a variety of factors when determining a competitive salary offer, including, but not limited to, the job scope, market rates and geographic location of a position, candidate’s education, experience, training, and specialized skills or certification(s) in relation to the job requirements and compared with internal equity (peers). The business actively supports and reviews wage equity to ensure that pay decisions are not based on gender, race, national origin, or any other protected classes. Additionally, candidates are eligible for a discretionary bonus, and benefits.

Some of the Ways We Prioritize Your Health and Happiness

• Healthcare Coverage –Competitive medical (PPO/HDHP), dental, and vision plans as well as company contributions to your Health Savings Account (HSA) or pre‑tax savings through flexible spending accounts (FSA) for commuting, health & dependent care expenses.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan –Featuring a 100% Company Safe Harbor Match on your first 6% deferral immediately upon eligibility.
• Paid Time Off – Flexible Time Off for Exempt (salaried) employees, as well as generous PTO for Non‑Exempt (hourly) employees, plus 11 paid company holidays and a paid volunteer day.
• 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave
• Maven Family Planning – provides support through your Parenting journey including egg freezing, fertility, adoption, surrogacy, pregnancy, postpartum, early pediatrics, and returning to work.
• And SO much more!

Early Warning Services, LLC (“Early Warning”) considers for employment, hires, retains and promotes qualified candidates on the basis of ability, potential, and valid qualifications without regard to race, religious creed, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, protected veteran or disability status or any factor prohibited by law, and as such affirms in policy and practice to support and promote equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and municipal laws. The company also prohibits discrimination on other bases such as medical condition, marital status or any other factor that is irrelevant to the performance of our employees.

Early Warning Services® aims to make our recruitment process accessible to any and all users. If you have a disability or a special need that requires accommodation to navigate our website or complete the application process, please email [e-mail] for an assistance request.

Early Warning has developed and maintains a written AAP and upholds pay transparency nondiscrimination.

E-Verify Early Warning Services LLC is a proud participant in E-Verify, a federal program to help ensure a legal and authorized workforce. As part of our hiring process, we electronically verify the employment eligibility of all new hires through E-Verify. For more information on your rights and responsibilities under E-Verify please visit Home | E-Verify.

Privacy Notice Effective: August 21, 2026 This privacy notice is intended to inform California residents of the personal information we collect, how it’s used and disclosed, and the rights you have in regard to such information.