Vendor Risk Manager

Aquent; Westlake (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Paid sick leave

Retirement plan with 401k match

Job summary

Aquent is seeking a seasoned Vendor Risk Manager to join the Risk and Controls team in Corporate Vendor Management. You will shape third-party risk strategies to protect operations and ensure compliant vendor relationships across the firm.

You will drive risk assessments, collaborate with Legal, Cybersecurity, Compliance, and Finance, and escalate critical vendor risks to leadership. This role demands leadership, analytical rigor, and a proactive, detail-oriented mindset.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in vendor management, risk management or internal audit.
• 2+ years in a highly regulated financial services environment.
• Strong understanding of risk frameworks, regulations, and best practices.
• Excellent analytical, problem solving, and decision making.

Responsibilities

• Execute a robust third-party risk management framework with assessments and oversight.
• Follow risk assessment methodologies based on criticality, compliance, cybersecurity, resilience, and finances.
• Collaborate with Legal, Cybersecurity, Compliance, and Finance for a holistic approach.
• Lead risk assessments and drive contracting and vendor relationship decisions.
• Ensure due diligence and policy alignment before agreements are signed.
• Stay updated on evolving regulations and adjust the program accordingly.
• Identify high-risk vendors and establish mitigation strategies.
• Produce risk reports and escalate critical vendor risks to leadership.
• Leverage tools to streamline risk reporting and drive process improvements.
• Deliver risk awareness discussions for internal stakeholders.
• Support Internal Audit and Regulatory Examinations with data and information.
• Advise peers with broad risk knowledge and experience.

Skills

Vendor management

Risk management

Internal audit

Regulatory knowledge

Leadership

Communication

Analytical thinking

CTPRP

CRVPM

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Third-party risk mgmt tools

Job description

Join a prominent and innovative leader in the financial services industry, where your expertise will directly contribute to safeguarding the firm’s operations and ensuring robust vendor relationships. Our client is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of compliance and risk management, fostering a secure and efficient environment for all stakeholders.

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Vendor Risk Manager for the Risk and Controls team within Corporate Vendor Management. In this pivotal role, you will be instrumental in shaping and executing comprehensive third-party risk management strategies. Your work will directly impact the firm’s ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes, mitigate potential risks, and ensure the seamless operation of critical vendor services. This is an exciting opportunity to drive significant change, enhance oversight, and protect the firm’s interests in a dynamic and evolving environment.

What You’ll Do

• Execute a robust third-party risk management framework to assess, monitor, and mitigate vendor risks through risk assessment and oversight activities.
• Consistently follow risk assessment methodologies to evaluate third-party vendors based on criticality, compliance, cybersecurity, operational resilience, and financial stability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., Legal, Cybersecurity, Compliance, Finance) to ensure a holistic approach to risk.
• Drive completion of risk assessments and identify obstacles to contracting or continued relationships with third parties.
• Ensure risk assessment reviews are thorough and confirm completion of due diligence prior to agreement signature.
• Ensure that all activities and efforts are consistent with firm policies and guidelines and in alignment with regulatory guidance.
• Participate in the identification of policy and procedure adjustments to address the evolving risk environment and emerging risks related to third-party vendors both onshore and offshore.
• Work on complex problems of diverse scope where analysis of data requires evaluation of a variety of tangible and intangible factors.
• Ensure third-party risk management practices comply with industry regulations, internal policies, and best practices.
• Stay updated on evolving regulatory landscapes affecting third-party risk and recommend necessary program adjustments.
• Establish risk mitigation strategies for high-risk vendors.
• Conduct regular risk reporting and **escalate** critical vendor risks to leadership.
• Leverage third-party risk management tools and technology to streamline all aspects of risk reporting.
• Drive automation and efficiency improvements in team processes.
• Develop and deliver brown bag risk discussions and quarterly risk awareness discussion for internal stakeholders.
• Responsible for adhering to third-party risk metrics supporting completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of third-party risk activities.
• Assists with acquiring data and providing information during Internal Audit Reviews and Regulatory Examinations.
• Acts as an advisor to peers by applying broad range of knowledge, skills, and experiences within the area of risk expertise.

What You’ll Bring

• 7+ years professional experience ideally in vendor management, risk management, or internal audit.
• 2+ years of experience working in a highly regulated financial services environment.
• Strong understanding of risk frameworks, regulations, and best practices.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management abilities.
• Professional certification(s) applicable to risk management such as the CTPRP or CRVPM.
• Ability to work independently with close attention to detail with a record of tracking and measuring results.
• Demonstrated ability to handle ambiguity, while implementing new requirements.
• Must be able to build positive relationships throughout the organization.
• Knowledge of emerging vendor risks such as AI ethics, ESG risks, and geopolitical risk, digital assets.
• Knowledge of internal controls, financial/banking regulations, operational risk, and/or vendor risk assessments.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience is required.
• Proficiency in third-party risk management tools and technologies solutions.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Experience with specific third-party risk management software or cloud-based procurement solutions.

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

• Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match.