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Job Summary

The Lead - Operational Risk Business Specialist is accountable for proactively identifying potential operational risks and ensuring adequate controls are in the place by the first lines of defense to guard against financial loss and other business risks. As the Lead, supports and enables senior leaders and functional experts across a specific line of business (first line of defense) to integrate risk management practices into their strategic business plans and day to day process responsibilities.
The Lead - Operational Risk Business Specialist provides a credible challenge to the first line of defense, including Business Risk and Control Advisors, using tools such as: RCSA (Risk and Control Self Assessments); internal and external loss data, Risk Reporting- Risk Appetite Measurements (RAMs) and Key Risk Indicators (KRIs); independent Risk Assessments, and Issues Management Reporting SLAs in order to promote and ensure a strong risk culture across Bread Financial.

 

Essential Job Functions

• Provide governance & oversight of key operational risk programs including (but not limited to) Risk Control Self-Assessment (RCSA), Issues Management, Risk Assessments, and Operational Loss to verify conformance to standards as established by the organization. Review and challenge risk assessments and control ratings in the business and control environments and provide guidance on risk mitigation and process improvement activities. Ensure the first lines of defense have the necessary tools and clear processes to be well-informed on regulations and execute risk and controls self-assessment (RSCA) and independent risk assessments. Provide ongoing feedback and training to develop employees on risk concepts and the application to risk and control self-assessment. - (30%)
• Consult with all levels of leadership for the end-to-end execution of the RCSA program, including control breaks and resolutions, to reduce financial loss, regulatory exposure, and reputational risk. Strategic advisor for all functional levels to consult with senior leadership; work with partners on the assessment of operational risk, including fraud, legal, compliance, technology and financial risks. Create a proactive risk and control culture that leverages proven evaluation strategies and sound change management protocols. Provide risk expertise while working with the businesses and other risk partners (e.g., Compliance, Credit, Legal, Audit). Serve as an advocate for the risk program. - (25%)
• Analyze program related data (e.g., KRI/RAM/Operational Losses, Control Testing Results, etc.) to provide strategic recommendations for business-related programs. Assess the risk associated with new business initiatives and change management activities. Aggregate and produce reporting as needed for various management updates. - (25%)
• Support business process enhancement driven by new products, strategic initiatives, and business verticals and advise on upstream and downstream operational impacts and dependencies. Identify unmitigated or partially mitigated business risks, which can result in material financial, operational, regulatory, or reputational risks. Strengthen the second line of defense by ensuring sound business practices, processes, procedures, persons, and technology exist in the businesses and that external events and emerging risks are considered and managed accordingly by the first lines of defense. - (20%)

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED
• 8-10 years experience in Risk management, audit, governance, compliance oversight, control oversight, or other related disciplines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Risk Management, Communications, Accounting, or related field of study or equivalent, relevant work experience
• 10+ years experience in Risk management, audit, governance, operational risk oversight, control oversight, or other related disciplines.

Skills

• Controls Testing
• Design Controls
• Issue Management
• Risk Control Assessment
• Governance Risk Compliance (GRC)
• Identifying Risks
• Operation Risk Management
• Procedures Management
• OCC Regulated Environment

Reports To: Director and above

Direct Reports: 0

Work Environment

• Normal office environment. (Remote or Hybrid), 3 to 4 days per month are expected in office if within 60 miles of a posted Bread Financial location.

Travel

• Ability to travel up to 5% annually

Physical and Mental Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily and meet the physical, mental and work environment requirements. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions, absent undue hardship.

• Communicate/Hearing
• Communicate/Talking
• Stationary Position/Seated
• Typing/Writing
• Maintain focus in high pressure or fast-paced work environment

Other Duties

This job description is illustrative of the types of duties typically performed by this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive listing of each and every essential function of the job. Because job content may change from time to time, the Company reserves the right to add and/or delete essential functions from this job at any time.

Salary Range (unless otherwise noted below):

$112,400.00 - $179,900.00

Full Salary Range for position:

California: $129,300.00 - $224,900.00
Colorado: $112,400.00 - $197,900.00
New York: $123,600.00 - $224,900.00
Washington: $123,600.00 - $206,900.00
Maryland: $123,600.00 - $197,900.00
Washington DC: $129,300.00 - $206,900.00
Illinois: $112,400.00 - $197,900.00
New Jersey: $129,300.00 - $206,900.00
Vermont: $112,400.00 - $179,900.00
Ohio: $112,400.00 - $179,900.00
Maine: $112,400.00 - $179,900.00
Connecticut: $123,600.00 - $197,900.00
Virginia: $112,400.00 - $179,900.00

The actual base pay within this range may be dependent upon many factors, which may include, but are not limited to, work location, education, experience, and skills.

You must be work authorized in the United States on a full time basis without the need for any sponsorship now or in the future from any employer or organization. The Company cannot offer employment to F-1 (student) visa holders.

Bread Financial offers medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and other voluntary benefits (including basic and optional life insurance, supplemental medical plans, and short and long-term disability) to eligible associates (regular full-time associates scheduled to work 30 hours per week or more) and their spouses/domestic partners, and child(ren) under the age of 26.  New associate elected coverage begins on date of hire (with the exception of disability coverage which has a 6-month waiting period).  Six weeks of 100% paid parental leave for eligible parents is available after a 180-day waiting period.   Hired associates can immediately enroll in Bread Financial’s 401(k) plan.

All associates receive 11 paid holidays. Associates have discretion in managing their time away from work through the Flexible Time Off (FTO) program and may need to notify and receive approval from their manager prior to taking the time off. Associates (except those located in Illinois) receive 80 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time (“PSST”) upon hire and at the beginning of each subsequent calendar year. Illinois associates receive 40 hours of Illinois PSST upon hire and at the beginning of each subsequent calendar year and 40 hours of Illinois Paid Leave upon hire and at the beginning of each subsequent calendar year. Illinois Paid Leave must be used before associates in Illinois will be approved to take FTO.

Hired associates will be able to elect the purchase company stock during offering periods in June and December. You will be eligible for an annual incentive bonus based on individual and company performance.

Click here for more Benefits information.

About Bread Financial®

At Bread Financial, you’ll have the opportunity to grow your career, give back to your community, and be part of our award-winning culture. We’ve been consistently recognized as a best place to work nationally and in many markets and we’re proud to promote an environment where you feel appreciated, accepted, valued, and fulfilled—both personally and professionally. Bread Financial supports the overall wellness of our associates with a diverse suite of benefits and offers boundless opportunities for career development and non-traditional career progression.

Bread Financial® (NYSE: BFH) is a tech-forward financial services company that provides simple, personalized payment, lending and saving solutions to millions of U.S. consumers. Our payment solutions deliver growth for some of the most recognized brands in travel & entertainment, health & beauty, technology, electronics, jewelry, home and specialty apparel through our co-brand and private label credit cards and pay-over-time products providing choice and value to our shared customers. Additionally, we offer Bread Financial general purpose credit cards and saving products that empower our customers and their passions for a better life.  

 

Bread Financial proudly marks 30 years of success in 2026. To learn more about our global associates, our performance and our sustainability progress, visit breadfinancial.com or follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn.

• Bread Financial offers competitive pay, a comprehensive selection of benefit options including 401(k).

• The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• Any applicant offered employment will be required to establish that they are legally authorized to work in the United States for the Company.

• The Company participates in E-Verify.

• The Company will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.  Applicants with criminal histories are encouraged to apply.

• The Company complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended, and all applicable state/local laws.  The Company will provide accommodations to applicants needing accommodations to complete the application process. Applicants with disabilities may contact the Company to request and arrange for accommodations.  If you need assistance to accommodate a disability, you may request an accommodation at any time.  Please contact the Recruiting Team at TaOps@breadfinancial.com.

Job Family:

Enterprise Risk

Job Type:

Regular