VP - Business Control Unit, Issues & Events

Banco Santander SA; United States; On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Santander is seeking a VP - Business Control Unit, Issues & Events for the United States to govern risk and remediation across the CIB US. Lead issue statements, root-cause analyses, and escalation processes with senior stakeholders.

The role requires 9+ years in financial services, strong leadership, and collaboration with Compliance, Legal, Internal Audit, and the Second Line of Defense. Base pay ranges from $130,000 to $180,000 per year.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience in Accounting, Business, Statistics, Risk Management, Information Systems, Finance, Economics, or related field.
• Master's degree in related field preferred; relevant risk, audit, or compliance certification.
• 9 or more years of relevant experience in financial services, business controls, operational risk, audit, compliance, or a related discipline.
• Proven ability to challenge and influence senior stakeholders and drive timely decisions.
• Strong knowledge of enterprise risk frameworks and internal controls.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead line of business governance of business issues and operational risk events across CIB US.
• Collaborate with the Issues Management COE to enforce quality standards for issue statements, root-cause analysis, remediation plans, milestones, closure evidence, and sustainability validation.
• Provide credible challenge to business owners and analysis to CIB Business Control Officers, escalating overdue, high-risk, or inadequately remediated items to senior management and governance forums.
• Ensure operational risk events are identified, classified, documented, and escalated promptly in the bank’s designated systems, including assessment of financial, client, regulatory, and reputational impacts.
• Collaborate with the Issues and Events COE to direct portfolio-level monitoring of issues and events, identify recurring themes and risk concentrations, and sponsor preventative control enhancements.
• Produce and present executive MIS and committee reporting that clearly communicates status, trends, emerging risks, dependencies, and decisions required.
• Partner with the Second Line of Defense, Compliance, Legal, Internal Audit, and business stakeholders to support regulatory inquiries, assurance reviews, and remediation commitments.
• Coach and guide team members and stakeholders, promoting accountability, disciplined execution, and a strong risk culture.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Regulatory knowledge

Risk reporting

First Line of Defense

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Accounting, Business, Statistics, Risk Management, Information Systems, Finance, Economics, or a related field

Master's degree in Accounting, Business, Statistics, Risk Management, Information Systems, Finance, Economics, or a related field

Risk Certification

Job description

VP - Business Control Unit, Issues & Events Country: United States of America

It Starts Here: Santander is a global leader and innovator in the financial services industry and is evolving from a high-impact brand into a technology-driven organization. Our people are at the heart of this journey and together, we are driving a customer-centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what’s possible. This is more than a strategic shift. It’s a chance for driven professionals to grow, learn, and make a real difference. If you are interested in exploring the possibilities We Want to Talk to You!

The Difference You Make:

Monitor activities to minimize the Corporate & Investment Bank's (CIB) exposure to risk. Activities may include quantitative analysis, risk identification and remediation. Represents or supports the reputation of the company to minimize compliance and regulatory risk by resolving issues and ensuring adherence to company and legal standards. Responsible for ensuring that all company activities adhere to applicable rules and regulations and that the company complies with relevant legal and regulatory requirements across its jurisdictions.

• Own and lead line of business governance of business issues and operational risk events across CIB US.
• Collaborate with the Issues Management COE to enforce quality standards for issue statements, root-cause analysis, impact assessments, remediation plans, milestones, closure evidence, and sustainability validation.
• Provide credible challenge to business owners and analysis to CIB Business Control Officers, escalating overdue, high-risk, or inadequately remediated items to senior management and governance forums.
• Ensure operational risk events are identified, classified, documented, and escalated promptly in the bank’s designated systems, including assessment of financial, client, regulatory, and reputational impacts.
• Collaborate with the Issues and Events COE to direct portfolio-level monitoring of issues and events, identify recurring themes and risk concentrations, and sponsor preventative control enhancements.
• Produce and present executive MIS and committee reporting that clearly communicates status, trends, emerging risks, dependencies, and decisions required.
• Partner with the Second Line of Defense, Compliance, Legal, Internal Audit, and business stakeholders to support regulatory inquiries, assurance reviews, and remediation commitments.
• Coach and guide team members and stakeholders, promoting accountability, disciplined execution, and a strong risk culture.

What You Bring:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education:

Education: Required: Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience in Accounting, Business, Statistics, Risk Management, Information Systems, Finance, Economics, or a related field. Preferred: Master's degree in Accounting, Business, Statistics, Risk Management, Information Systems, Finance, Economics, or a related field; relevant risk, audit, or compliance certification.

Qualifications:

• 9 or more years of relevant experience in financial services, business controls, operational risk, audit, compliance, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated leadership of complex issues, operational risk events, remediation programs, or regulatory commitments across multiple business lines.
• Proven ability to challenge and influence senior stakeholders and drive timely decisions without direct authority.
• Strong knowledge of First Line of Defense responsibilities, enterprise risk frameworks, internal controls, and regulatory expectations.
• Experience producing executive and committee-level risk reporting and presenting complex matters clearly.
• People leadership, coaching, or workstream leadership experience preferred.

Certifications:

Other: Risk Certification - Preferred.

It Would Be Nice For You To Have:

• Established work history or equivalent demonstrated through a combination of work experience, training, military service, or education.

Work Authorization & Sponsorship:

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without requiring employer sponsorship to commence employment.

What Else You Need To Know:

The base pay range for this position is posted below and represents the annualized salary range. For hourly positions (non-exempt), the annual range is based on a 40-hour work week. The exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, training, licensure and certifications and location.

Base Pay Range: Minimum: $130,000.00 USD Maximum: $180,000.00 USD

We Value Your Impact:

Your contribution matters and it’s recognized. You can expect a fair and competitive rewards package that reflects the impact you create and the value you deliver. We know rewards go beyond numbers. Offering more than just a paycheck our benefits are designed to support you, your family and your well-being, now and into the future.

Santander Benefits - 2026 Santander OnGoing/NH eGuide (foleon.com)

Risk Culture:

We embrace a strong risk culture and all of our professionals at all levels are expected to take a proactive and responsible approach toward risk management.

EEO Statement:

At Santander, we value and respect differences in our workforce. We actively encourage everyone to apply. Santander is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Working Conditions:

Frequent minimal physical effort such as sitting, standing and walking is required for this role. Depending on location, occasional moving and lifting light equipment and/or furniture may be required.

Employer Rights:

This job description does not list all of the job duties of the job. You may be asked by your supervisors or managers to perform other duties. You may be evaluated in part based upon your performance of the tasks listed in this job description. The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time. This job description is not a contract for employment and either you or the employer may terminate your employment at any time for any reason.

The Santander Way Santander is evolving from a global, high-impact brand into a technology-driven organization, and our people are at the heart of this journey. Together, we are driving a customer-centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what’s possible. This is more than a strategic shift. It’s a chance for driven professionals to grow, learn, and make a real difference. Our mission is to contribute to help more people and businesses prosper. We embrace a strong risk culture and all our professionals at all levels are expected to take a proactive and responsible approach toward risk management. Ready to make it happen? It starts with you. It starts here.