Operational Risk Manager, Certos - Identity & Payment Risk

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.

The Operational Risk Manager, Identity & Payment Risk is responsible for providing independent second-line oversight of operational risks within Early Warning’s Certos Identity & Payment Risk business, ensuring adherence to the company’s Operational Risk Management (ORM) program. This role evaluates the effectiveness of risk and control processes across areas such as identity verification, fraud detection, payment screening, and data-sharing through the National Shared Database, while conducting risk assessments, reviewing controls, managing issues, and identifying emerging risks. The manager partners with business stakeholders to strengthen risk practices without compromising independence, uses data to analyze trends and control gaps, and communicates key risk insights.

Overall Purpose

The Operational Risk Manager, Identity & Payment Risk is responsible for providing risk management and technical expertise in assessing the overall effectiveness of the company’s risk and control environment and ensuring and ensuring adherence to Operational Risk Management (ORM) Program requirements.  ORM provides independent oversight of operational risks in support of our vision of a strong risk management culture and that we are proactively identifying and managing risks that may impact our ability to achieve our strategic objectives as a company.  We are part of the company’s second line of defense, and work with our business partners to develop sound risk management programs and processes that are integrated into our business model and that enable business success.

Essential Functions

• Support operational risk oversight for the specific business unit assigned, including any risk themes relevant to the product assigned.

• Conduct second-line management activities, including:

  • Risk and control assessments (RCSAs) reviews

  • Product and use case risk reviews

  • Issue management and validation
     

• Partner with business stakeholders to support effective risk management practices while maintaining independence in oversight activities.

• Provide guidance to business partners on operational risk frameworks, policies, and expectations.

• Monitor risks, controls, and issues across aligned business units to identify trends and emerging risks.

• Leverage data and reporting to support risk analysis, identify control gaps, and inform decision-making.

• Assist in developing clear and concise communications (written and presented) to summarize risk insights and findings.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education and/or experience typically obtained through completion of a bachelor’s degree in risk management, Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or related field

• Typically a minimum of 8+ years of progressive operational risk management experience, preferably in financial services or other highly regulated industries

• Working knowledge of operational risk programs (e.g., RCSA, Risk Events, Issue Management, Key Risk Indicators) and risk domains (e.g., product/service delivery, process management, business disruption, third-party, fraud, and data)

• Demonstrates sound judgment, intellectual curiosity, and attention to detail

• Organized with solid analytical and problem-solving capabilities

• Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills

• Effective verbal and written communication skills

• Background and drug screen

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior financial institution experience

• Exposure to independent risk management or second-line oversight functions

• Risk management, internal control, or internal audit certification(s)

• Familiarity with data-driven products, fraud risk, or identity/payment risk solutions preferred

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.

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 / Washington, DC in USD per year is: $104,000 - $130,000.
New York, NY/ San Francisco, CA in USD per year is: $125,000 - $156,000.
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!

 

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 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.