Director of Risk

Director Of Risk

As Director of Risk you will lead risk management for client engagements and vendor relationships, designing a practical framework aligned with the firm's size and global footprint. You will own the risk register, define risk appetite, and act as the SME on federal contractor and public sector obligations, collaborating across Security, Procurement, Finance, Client Operations and the business. Your work ensures compliant, defensible decision-making and smooth operations in a complex, cross-border environment. This role offers a chance to shape risk culture and governance at a premier leadership advisory firm. Location flexibility and cross-functional impact are key highlights.

Compensation / Benefits

• discretionary bonuses
• medical, dental, vision
• disability leave
• parential leave
• paid time off
• 401k contribution

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end client/engagement risk framework including risk criteria, tiering, vetting standards, escalation thresholds and approval rights
• Serve as escalation point for high-risk clients and engagements; assess sanctions, PEPs, conflicts of interest, and reputational risk with clear recommendations
• Collaborate with Client Operations on bid decisions and RFP risk reviews
• Set risk-based contracting principles and approval requirements for high-risk terms
• Maintain audit trails of risk decisions; support audits and due diligence reviews
• Monitor sanctions and regulatory changes; update vetting criteria accordingly
• Manage client vetting team to ensure quality and timely delivery
• Lead risk reviews of US federal, state, local and international government engagements; provide training and mitigation measures
• Oversee contract administration lifecycle for federal prime contracts; ensure compliance with FAR/DFARS and other requirements
• Coordinate with Legal, Finance, Security, Procurement, HR and operations to implement contracting compliance and obligations
• Identify subcontractor and vendor flow-down clauses and ensure ongoing subcontractor compliance
• Track contract changes, performance issues and remediation actions; maintain defensible records

Key requirements

• Bachelor's degree; 6-10 years in risk management, compliance, governance or legal operations
• Hands-on experience with client/engagement and vendor/third-party risk frameworks
• Experience supporting federal prime or subcontract work and state/local government contracts
• Strong knowledge of FAR/DFARS and related supplements; procurement integrity and ethics compliance
• Ability to build risk registers, appetite statements, KRI reporting and board-level risk reporting
• Discretion in handling confidential information; strong analytical and data synthesis skills
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders across a global, matrixed organization
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to translate risk into commercial recommendations
• Proficiency with GRC, third-party risk and screening platforms and Microsoft Office

• analytical thinking
• strong judgment
• relationship building
• GRC platforms
• screening platforms
• Microsoft Office suite