Risk Management Senior Associate

Position Summary

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Head of Risk Management, this Operational Risk Professional will have an important role in advancing the enterprise risk management program of a fast-growing financial services firm. This role will work closely with business stakeholders to proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risks across the organization’s lifecycle, with a particular focus on third-party relationships, technology, and business operations. Serving as a critical Second Line of Defense (2LoD), this role provides independent oversight and effective challenge to the business.

Primary Responsibilities

• Risk Assessment & Execution (RCSA): Lead and execute Risk and Control Self-Assessments (RCSA), IT risk assessments, and control evaluations. Conduct due diligence for third-party vendors.

• Independent Review & Challenge: Assess internal operational risk events, loss data, and emerging threats to ensure a robust control environment for individual business units.

• Monitoring & Reporting (KRI/Loss Data): Define and manage Key Risk Indicators (KRIs). Analyze operational risk exposure, track loss events, and prepare executive-ready presentations and heat maps for senior leadership. Connect issues to controls and drive resolution.

• Business Resiliency & Technology Oversight: Oversee and challenge Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BC/DR) planning and testing. Monitor core technology processes, including change management, cloud governance, disaster recovery, and the data management lifecycle.

• Tool Administration: Serve as primary owner and administrator of the GRC platform, ensuring accurate, timely, and complete data across risk, controls, issues, and reporting.

Qualifications

• Experience: 5+ years of experience in Operational Risk, Third-Party Risk (TPRM), or Compliance within the Banking or Financial Services (Brokerage/RIA) industry. Thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment where foundational capabilities are being designed and scaled.

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Risk Management, Finance, or a related field.

• Regulatory Knowledge: Understanding of risk management frameworks (e.g., NIST, COSO) and Interagency Guidance on Third-Party Relationships.

• Analytical Prowess: Proven ability to interpret complex data, identify emerging risk trends, and conduct root-cause analysis on operational incidents.

• Influencing Skills: Demonstrated "confidence to challenge" senior leadership and build cross-functional partnerships across Business, Operations, Technology.

• Technical Proficiency: Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel/PowerPoint). Familiarity with GRC tools (e.g., Auditboard, ServiceNow) is a plus.

About Focus Financial Partners

Focus is a leading financial services firm comprised of integrated wealth management, family office, and business management services. Blending deep expertise and expansive resources with a boutique, client-first fiduciary philosophy, Focus helps individuals, families, and institutions navigate complex financial situations with highly personalized solutions tailored to their unique needs. To learn more about Focus, visit www.focusfinancialpartners.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.

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For Montana Applicants: If hired, the employment relationship is governed by the Wrongful Discharge from Employment Act. Mont. Code Ann. Section 39-2-901.

For Rhode Island Applicants: Focus is subject to Chapters 29-38 of Title 28 of the General Laws of Rhode Island and is therefore covered by the state’s workers’ compensation law. If you willfully provide false information about your ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, you may be barred from filing a claim under the provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Act of the State of Rhode Island if the false information is directly related to the personal injury that is the basis for the new claim for compensation. The Company complies fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act.