Director, Risk Management (LOD1)

At Early Warning, we’ve powered and protected the U.S. financial system for over thirty years with cutting-edge solutions like Zelle®, Paze℠, and so much more. As a trusted name in payments, we partner with thousands of institutions to increase access to financial services and protect transactions for hundreds of millions of consumers and small businesses. Positions located in Scottsdale, San Francisco, Chicago, or New York follow a hybrid work model to allow for a more collaborative working environment. Candidates responding to this posting must independently possess the eligibility to work in the United States, for any employer, at the date of hire. This position is ineligible for employment Visa sponsorship. Overview The Director, Risk Management is responsible for the management and coordination of a centralized first-line of defense (LOD1) risk and internal control program for Early Warning’s Enterprise Technology business lines. This role is designed to ensure risk programs and controls are implemented consistently and operating effectively across these business lines as it relates to all risk types including strategic, operational, compliance and financial. The role will be required to align with the company’s Enterprise Risk Management leadership around the structure of the 3LOD (three lines of defense) Program to ensure the consistency in the implementation and operationalization across the enterprise. Essential Functions Support the business line’s centralized LOD1 function, including strategic vision and implementation plans, acting as business-line liaison to Enterprise Risk Management, Operational Risk Management, and Compliance in support of the company’s 3LOD program. Work with Compliance and other Risk functions to understand and monitor applicable regulations and requirements, assess business impact, and drive appropriate projects and processes to address needed changes. Partner with Enterprise Risk Management in the execution of Risk and Control Self Assessments. Partner with Business Continuity Management on business’ participation in BC/DR tests, and own and maintain required process and technical recovery plans. Assist the business-line in the management of third-party relationships, including both performance and risk management. Assist the business-line in the design and build of process maps in alignment with Early Warning’s Process Classification Framework. Own and maintain business-lines’ process inventory and internal control environment inventory. Design, maintain, and report metrics (KPIs and KRIs) demonstrating control effectiveness. Identify and self-report issues through the ERM Self-Identified Issue Process; individually and together with other LOD1 business-line members Ensure risk remediation plans exist and are sufficient; track remediation plans to completion and ensure remediation is on-time and sustainable; ensure action plans and remediation of issues by risk owners. Support business-line Risk Acceptance Forms (RAF) process, when applicable. Drive periodic executive level reporting regarding business risk management activities, working closely with business-line leadership Develop, in alignment with ERM’s frameworks, a 1st LOD risk management governance process across the business lines to support decision making and escalation regarding risks that may not be consistent with the business’ risk tolerance Deliver education and awareness of risk ownership essentials. Continually monitor and update assessments of the control environment, keeping abreast of significant control issues, trends, and developments. Perform internal control effectiveness test plans and procedures. Lead a team of risk professionals in matrixed organization. Support the company’s commitment to risk management and protecting the integrity and confidentiality of systems and data. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Finance, Accounting, Computer Information Systems, or other related field of specialty. Typically, a minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in the financial services industry or within a three-lines of defense program. Demonstrated success leading risk functions in a 3LOD environment. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a complex, highly regulated environment. Excellent problem solver with effective change management skills Working knowledge of regulatory requirements specific to the business-lines. Excellent communication, organization, and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to collaborate and build trust in business partners. Effective influence management skills. Background and drug screen. For CDO focus area: Knowledge and experience with model risk management and first line support for Chief Data Office. Demonstrated success developing and implementing effective risk solutions for data management. The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow instructions and perform other related duties as assigned by their supervisor. Preferred Qualifications Experience interacting with executive management. Demonstrated experience working in multiple risk disciplines including but not limited to product, regulatory and compliance, third party, reputation, competitive, etc. Knowledge of COSO’s Internal Control – Integrated Framework, or similar. Risk management, internal control, or internal audit certification(s) (e.g., CISA, CPA, CRISC, CISSP, or AAIR) First line of defense risk management experience in a regulated financial institution. Proficient in writing policies and procedures. In depth knowledge and understanding of regulatory environment and its applicability to financial services and risk. Physical Requirements Working conditions consist of a normal office environment. Work is primarily sedentary and requires extensive use of a computer and involves sitting for periods of approximately four hours. Work may require occasional standing, walking, kneeling and reaching. Must be able to lift 10 pounds occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently. Requires visual acuity and dexterity to view, prepare, and manipulate documents and office equipment including personal computers. Requires the ability to communicate with internal and/or external customers. Employee must be able to perform essential functions and physical requirements of position with or without reasonable accommodation. The base pay scale for this position in: Phoenix, AZ/ Chicago, IL in USD per year is: $154,000 - $193,000. Additionally, candidates are eligible for a discretionary incentive plan and benefits. This pay scale is subject to change and is not necessarily reflective of actual compensation that may be earned, nor a promise of any specific pay for any specific candidate, which is always dependent on legitimate factors considered at the time of job offer. Early Warning Services takes into consideration a variety of factors when determining a competitive salary offer, including, but not limited to, the job scope, market rates and geographic location of a position, candidate’s education, experience, training, and specialized skills or certification(s) in relation to the job requirements and compared with internal equity (peers). The business actively supports and reviews wage equity to ensure that pay decisions are not based on gender, race, national origin, or any other protected classes. Some of the Ways We Prioritize Your Health and Happiness Healthcare Coverage – Competitive medical (PPO/HDHP), dental, and vision plans as well as company contributions to your Health Savings Account (HSA) or pre-tax savings through flexible spending accounts (FSA) for commuting, health & dependent care expenses. 401(k) Retirement Plan – Featuring a 100% Company Safe Harbor Match on your first 6% deferral immediately upon eligibility. Paid Time Off – Flexible Time Off for Exempt (salaried) employees, as well as generous PTO for Non-Exempt (hourly) employees, plus 11 paid company holidays and a paid volunteer day. 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave Maven Family Planning – provides support through your Parenting journey including egg freezing, fertility, adoption, surrogacy, pregnancy, postpartum, early pediatrics, and returning to work. And SO much more! We continue to enhance our program, so be sure to check our Benefits page here for the latest. Our team can share more during the interview process! Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Early Warning Services, LLC (“Early Warning”) considers for employment, hires, retains and promotes qualified candidates on the basis of ability, potential, and valid qualifications without regard to race, religious creed, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, protected veteran or disability status or any factor prohibited by law, and as such affirms in policy and practice to support and promote equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and municipal laws. The company also prohibits discrimination on other bases such as medical condition, marital status or any other factor that is irrelevant to the performance of our employees. CURRENT EMPLOYEES: Apply for open positions via Job Hub in your Workday Account. Early Warning Services® delivers innovative payment and risk solutions to financial institutions nationwide. For over 25 years, Early Warning has been a leader in technology that helps protect and advance the financial system. We serve a diverse network of approximately 2,500 financial institutions, government entities and payment companies. Our product solutions enable real-time funds availability for a variety of payment types through our payments network. Early Warning Services, LLC (“Early Warning”) considers for employment, hires, retains and promotes qualified candidates on the basis of ability, potential, and valid qualifications without regard to race, religious creed, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, protected veteran or disability status or any factor prohibited by law, and as such affirms in policy and practice to support and promote equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and municipal laws. The company also prohibits discrimination on other bases such as medical condition, marital status or any other factor that is irrelevant to the performance of our employees. Early Warning Services® aims to make our recruitment process accessible to any and all users. If you have a disability or a special need that requires accommodation to navigate our website or complete the application process, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for an assistance request. View supplemental EEO is the law poster Early Warning has developed and maintains a written AAP and upholds pay transparency nondiscrimination. E-Verify Early Warning Services LLC is a proud participant in E-Verify, a federal program to help ensure a legal and authorized workforce. As part of our hiring process, we electronically verify the employment eligibility of all new hires through E-Verify. For more information on your rights and responsibilities under E-Verify please visit Home | E-Verify. Privacy Notice Effective: June 4, 2026 This privacy notice is intended to inform California residents of the personal information we collect, how it’s used and disclosed, and the rights you have in regard to such information. Click below for the full privacy notice