VP, Operational Risk Programs & Assessments

Job Description:

Role Summary/Purpose

The VP Operational Risk Programs & Assessments is accountable for owning and managing the Synchrony enterprise-wide operational risk assessment programs performed by both the first and second lines of defense. These programs are maintained to ensure the identification and assessment of the operational risks inherent in all material products, activities, processes, and systems across the organization. Primary scope for this role includes the Operational Risk Assessment (ORA), Risk Control Self-Assessment (RCSA) Program, and Proactive Risk Acceptance Process as well as related reporting to committees. This position reports into the SVP, Non-Customer Facing Operational Risk Oversight.

Our Way of Working

We’re proud to offer you choice and flexibility. At Synchrony, our way of working allows you to have the option to work from home, near one of our Hubs or come into one of our offices. Occasionally you may be required to commute to our nearest office for in person engagement activities such as business or team meetings, training and culture events.

Essential Responsibilities

• Lead the execution and reporting of the Operational Risk Assessment (ORA), which focuses on the enterprise-level operational risks in the business; measure the level of risk, document current status, and provide forward looking direction for how risks will trend over time.

• Own the Risk Control Self-Assessment (RSCA) Program framework and related process components, such as policies, standards, Risk Assessment Questionnaire (RAQ)and Process Risk and Control Assessment (PRCSA) with a goal of driving accurate, actionable, and efficient assessment of operational risk levels across Synchrony.

• Drive the planning and management of the (RAQ) for all Synchrony processes in partnership with business governance teams.

• Manage standards and related processes to maintain relevant inventories of Process Risks and Controls (PRC) data, which are foundational to the enterprise risk, governance, and surveillance programs across the business.

• Define and manage the execution of the PRSCA framework, which required for the highest risk processes in Synchrony.

• Own the framework for the Proactive Risk Acceptance process across Synchrony to enable transparent decision-making for assessment and documentation of material risk outside normal business-as-usual exposure for processes, functions, products, or platforms.

• Coordinate with first and second line teams on the governance of the Synchrony Process Universe requirements and implementation, including the RCSA Quality Assurance programs.

• Perform second line effective challenge of the RAQ and PRCSA and relevant horizontal reviews.

• Partner with the GRC Team to design and implement effective system processes for managing operational risk data and assessments in the centralized systems and reporting.

• Deliver best-in-class risk analytics in partnership with the Risk Analytics Team.  Prioritize visibility to operational risk data and trends, integrated and aggregate risk views, and reliable data quality monitoring.

• Engage with Regulators during exams and periodic updates on the Risk Assessment programs, including topic areas that impact ORA, RCSA Program, and/or Risk Acceptance processes.

• Plan and deliver various Committees updates on operational risk programs and results to inform management and executive leadership of risk levels and themes across the business.

• Facilitate the Operational Risk Continuous Monitoring program documentation and reporting.

• Facilitate quality review of the Operational Risk Targeted and Concurrent reviews.

• Perform other duties and/or special projects as assigned

Qualifications/Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 7+ years of experience in consumer banking or finance businesses or; in lieu of Bachelor's Degree, a High School Diploma / GED with 10+ years of experience in consumer banking or finance businesses.

• 5+ years operational risk, compliance, governance, or risk assessment experience.

Desired Characteristics

• Proven analytical skills with strong attention to detail.

• Demonstrated ability to lead initiatives across functions.

• Proven ability to make decisions based on quantitative analysis and creative thinking.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Experience creating and delivering presentations to all levels of the organization including senior leadership.