Vendor Risk Manager [AQ-18897]

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Dental

Sick leave

401(k) match

Job summary

Aquent is partnering with a prominent financial services leader to recruit a seasoned Risk & Controls professional. You will design and execute third-party risk strategies, assess vendor risk, and ensure regulatory alignment across the enterprise.

The role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration with Legal, Cybersecurity, Compliance, and Finance to strengthen oversight, protect the firm, and sustain operational resilience in a dynamic regulatory landscape.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in vendor management or risk management.
• 2+ years of experience 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) such as the CTPRP or CRVPM.
• Ability to work independently with attention to detail and a track record of results.

Responsibilities

• Execute a robust third-party risk management framework with risk assessment and oversight of vendor risks.
• Apply established risk assessment methodologies across criticality, compliance, cybersecurity, resilience, and financial stability.
• Collaborate with Legal, Cybersecurity, Compliance, and Finance for a holistic risk approach.
• Drive timely completion of risk assessments and address obstacles to contracting or relationships.
• Ensure due diligence reviews are thorough and completed before agreements.
• Align activities with firm policies and regulatory guidance.
• Identify policy and procedure adjustments to address evolving vendor risks onshore and offshore.
• Tackle complex problems through data analysis and diverse factors.
• Ensure risk management practices comply with regulations and internal policies.

Skills

Vendor management

Risk management

Internal audit

Regulatory compliance

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

AI ethics

Education

Bachelors degree

Job description

Partnering with Aquent, we are seeking exceptional talent for a prominent and innovative leader in the financial services industry. This organization is committed to maintaining the highest standards of compliance and risk management, fostering a secure and efficient environment for all stakeholders. They continually adapt to evolving regulatory landscapes and emerging risks, offering a forward-thinking environment where your contributions will directly strengthen its resilience and operational integrity, playing a crucial role in safeguarding financial stability and trust.

Are you ready to make a significant impact within a leading financial services institution? Step into a pivotal role within a critical Risk and Controls team, where you will be instrumental in shaping and executing comprehensive third-party risk management strategies. This is an exciting opportunity to drive significant change, enhance oversight, and protect the firm’s interests. You will directly impact the firm’s ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes, mitigate potential risks, and ensure the seamless operation of critical vendor services, making a tangible difference in a dynamic and evolving environment.

What You’ll Do

• Execute a robust third-party risk management framework, conducting risk assessment and oversight activities to effectively assess, monitor, and mitigate vendor risks.
• Consistently apply established risk assessment methodologies to evaluate third-party vendors across key areas such as criticality, compliance, cybersecurity, operational resilience, and financial stability.
• Collaborate seamlessly with cross-functional teams, including Legal, Cybersecurity, Compliance, and Finance, to ensure a holistic and integrated approach to risk management.
• Drive the timely completion of risk assessments, proactively identifying and addressing any obstacles that may impact contracting or the continuation of relationships with third parties.
• Ensure that all risk assessment reviews are thorough and confirm the completion of due diligence processes prior to agreement signatures.
• Guarantee that all activities and efforts align with firm policies, guidelines, and relevant regulatory guidance.
• Participate actively in identifying necessary policy and procedure adjustments to address the evolving risk environment and emerging risks associated with third-party vendors, both onshore and offshore.
• Tackle complex problems of diverse scope, requiring the evaluation of a variety of tangible and intangible factors through data analysis.
• Ensure that third-party risk management practices consistently comply with industry regulations, internal policies, and best practices.
• Stay continuously updated on evolving regulatory landscapes affecting third-party risk, recommending necessary program adjustments to maintain compliance and effectiveness.
• Establish and implement effective risk mitigation strategies specifically for high-risk vendors.
• Conduct regular risk reporting and promptly elevate critical vendor risks to leadership to ensure timely awareness and action.
• Leverage advanced third-party risk management tools and technology to streamline and enhance all aspects of risk reporting.
• Drive automation and efficiency improvements within team processes to optimize operations.
• Develop and deliver engaging brown bag risk discussions and quarterly risk awareness sessions for internal stakeholders.
• Take responsibility for adhering to third-party risk metrics, ensuring the completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of all third-party risk activities.
• Assist with acquiring necessary data and providing essential information during Internal Audit Reviews and Regulatory Examinations.
• Act as a trusted advisor to peers, applying a broad range of knowledge, skills, and experiences within your area of risk expertise.

Must-Have Qualifications

• 7+ years of professional experience, ideally in vendor management, risk management, or internal audit.
• 2+ years of experience working within a highly regulated financial services environment.
• A 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 and a proven record of tracking and measuring results.
• Demonstrated ability to handle ambiguity while effectively implementing new requirements.
• Must be able to build positive relationships throughout the organization.
• Knowledge of emerging vendor risks, including AI ethics, ESG risks, geopolitical risk, and 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 technology solutions.

What Will Set You Apart

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

• subsidized health, vision, and dental plans
• paid sick leave
• retirement plans with a match

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. We’re about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.