AVP, Risk Testing Lead

Synchrony; South Africa; Hybrid; ZAR 900 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services company in South Africa seeks an AVP, Risk Testing Lead to conduct key control testing and assess compliance with regulations. The ideal candidate will possess at least a Bachelor's degree and 4+ years in the industry, with strong communication and analytical skills. Responsibilities include identifying control gaps and influencing stakeholders to mitigate risks. This role offers a flexible working schedule while ensuring alignment with US teams through adjusted hours.

Benefits

Best-in-class employee benefits

Career advancement opportunities

Flexibility and choice in working hours

Qualifications

• Minimum 4+ years in Financial Services or 6+ years without a degree.
• Minimum 3+ years in Audit, Testing, Surveillance.
• CRCM, CIA, CAMS or equivalent certification.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute control testing to mitigate key risks.
• Document detailed test results to performance standards.
• Identify control gaps and discuss solutions with management.
• Communicate test results to stakeholders.
• Provide effective challenge regarding risks and controls.
• Influence stakeholders to implement necessary modifications.
• Provide guidance on key risks and mitigation strategies.
• Perform special projects as assigned.

Skills

Audit

Testing

Surveillance

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Independence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Financial Services or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job Description:

AVP, Risk Testing Lead (L10)

Company Overview

Synchrony (NYSE: SYF) is a premier consumer financial services company delivering one of the industry’s most complete digitally enabled product suites. Our experience, expertise and scale encompass a broad spectrum of industries including digital, health and wellness, retail, telecommunications, home, auto, outdoors, pet and more.

• We have recently been ranked #2 among India’s Best Companies to Work for by Great Place to Work. We were among the Top 50 India’s Best Workplaces in Building a Culture of Innovation by All by GPTW and Top 25 among Best Workplaces in BFSI by GPTW. We have also been recognized by Ambition Box Employee Choice Awards among the Top 20 Mid-Sized Companies, ranked #3 among Top Rated Companies for Women, and Top-Rated Financial Services Companies.
• We offer Flexibility and Choice for all employees and provide best-in‑class employee benefits and programs that cater to work‑life integration and overall well‑being.
• We provide career advancement and upskilling opportunities, focusing on Advancing Diverse Talent to take up leadership roles.

Organizational Overview

Synchrony Risk Team provides independent oversight of Synchrony’s risk‑taking activities to ensure safety and soundness, meet regulatory and legal requirements, and manage risks to the risk‑appetite of the Board. Risk is responsible for independently assessing, quantifying, and overseeing risks & providing effective challenge. Risk serves as Synchrony’s Second Line of Defense.

Overall, Risk Team oversees and manages the Risk Program to support the business in anticipating and addressing risks, issues and challenges. Results are consistent with the respective strategic uses and complying with related overall risk, risk testing policies, standards, procedures as well as regulations. Our Risk organization consists of 4 pillars: Compliance, Credit & Financial Risk, Enterprise Risk and Operational Risk. Each of the pillars play a vital role in managing Risk and supports the business in anticipating and addressing risks, issues, and challenges.

Role Summary / Purpose

Risk Testing is an independent 2nd line assurance process that, together with 1st line business surveillance and 3rd line independent audit, make up the three lines of defense that are the cornerstone of an effective control framework. This position is responsible for conducting and leading other associates in key control testing activities of Synchrony Bank (“SYB”) and Synchrony Financial (“SYF”) to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations and ensure prompt remediation of control deficiencies.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute control testing to ensure that key risks are mitigated.
• Document detailed test results to performance standards and meet required deadlines.
• Identify control gaps and potential issues, discuss viable solutions with the business to address gaps, and obtain management action plans for remediation.
• Communicate test results to leaders and other stakeholders throughout the business and provide periodic updates regarding status of testing activities.
• Provide effective challenge to the business regarding the assessment of risks and controls.
• Influence stakeholders and process owners to implement necessary process and control modifications to mitigate operational, regulatory, and financial risks.
• Provide guidance to process owners regarding key risks and mitigation strategies.
• Perform any special projects as assigned.

Required Skills / Knowledge

• Bachelor's degree with minimum 4+ years in Financial Services industry, or in lieu of a degree 6+ years in Financial Services industry
• Minimum 3+ years of Audit, Testing, Surveillance
• Minimum 3+ years in consumer banking laws and regulations
• CRCM , CIA , CAMS or equivalent US Certification

Desired Skills / Knowledge

• Minimum 5+ years of Audit, Testing, Surveillance
• Knowledge of process and systems related to Servicing, Collections, Customer Solutions, Credit, Fraud, and AML/BSA
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Experience applying analytical skills and attention to detail
• Proven ability to work independently and meet deadlines
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with various levels of stakeholders
• Relevant industry certifications – CIA, CISA, CRCM, CAMS, CPA, etc.

Eligibility Criteria

• Bachelor's degree with minimum 4+ years in Financial Services industry, or in lieu of a degree 6+ years in Financial Services industry
• Minimum 3+ years of Audit, Testing, Surveillance
• Minimum 3+ years in consumer banking laws and regulations
• CRCM, CIA, CAMS or equivalent US Certification

Work Timings

This role qualifies for Enhanced Flexibility and Choice offered in Synchrony India and will require the incumbent to be available between 06:00 AM Eastern Time – 11:30 AM Eastern Time (timings are anchored to US Eastern hours and will adjust twice a year locally). This window is for meetings with India and US teams. The remaining hours will be flexible for the employee to choose. Exceptions may apply periodically due to business needs. Please discuss this with the hiring manager for more details.

For Internal Applicants

• Understand the criteria or mandatory skills required for the role, before applying
• Inform your manager and HRM before applying for any role on Workday
• Ensure that your professional profile is updated (fields such as education, prior experience, other skills) and it is mandatory to upload your updated resume (Word or PDF format)
• Must not be any corrective action plan (First Formal/Final Formal, LPP)
• L8+ Employees who have completed 18 months in the organization and 12 months in current role and level are only eligible.
• L08+ Employees can apply
• Grade/Level: 10

Job Family Group: Risk Management