Sr Analyst - Independent Testing & Validation (IT&V)

If you are motivated and believe in the credit union philosophy of "People Helping People," join our team!

The Independent Testing & Validation (IT&V) Senior Analyst plays a key role in supporting the implementation and execution of the enterprise Second Line Independent Testing and Validation program. This position is responsible for facilitating testing and validation engagements, documenting testing performed over risks and controls, analyzing business unit submissions, and helping ensure effective risk mitigation activities are completed and evidenced in accordance with established methodology and documentation standards. The Senior Analyst will work closely with business units, risk partners, and program leadership to support the consistent identification, assessment, and documentation of operational risks and controls across the organization.

The Senior Analyst independently plans and executes complex IT&V engagements from planning through reporting. This position exercises independent judgment in evaluating control design and operating effectiveness, determining whether testing evidence supports conclusions, and identifying control deficiencies requiring remediation or additional analysis. The Senior Analyst also performs quality assurance reviews of testing workpapers, provides technical guidance to Analysts, and helps ensure consistent application of the IT&V methodology across engagements.

This position requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders across the organization. The role is ideal for someone with a solid understanding of risk management, controls, process analysis, or audit concepts who is interested in contributing to the buildout and maturation of a foundational operational risk management program.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in risk-based control testing, audit, assurance, or independent validation, with the ability to assess both the design and operating effectiveness of controls. This includes experience evaluating whether controls are appropriately designed to mitigate identified risks, developing and executing testing procedures, assessing control performance and effectiveness, documenting testing evidence and conclusions, and identifying and communicating control deficiencies.

Candidates with backgrounds in internal audit, IT audit, risk, and control testing, second-line risk management, compliance testing, or similar assurance functions are strongly preferred. This position is primarily a control testing and independent assurance role rather than an IT operations, engineering, or technical support position

Essential Responsibilities:

• (25%) IT&V Engagement Leadership & Execution: Lead and facilitate IT&V engagements from planning through reporting, including coordinating meetings, evaluating risk and controls, assessing evidence, documenting testing results, and communicating engagement conclusions.
• (20%) Risk & Control Analysis (IT&V Engagements): Independently evaluate business processes, risks, controls, and testing evidence to determine control design and operating effectiveness and identify deficiencies requiring remediation.  
• (15%) First Level Engagement Review & Quality Support: Perform quality assurance reviews of completed testing workpapers to ensure conclusions are supported by sufficient evidence, testing procedures align with program methodology, documentation meets quality standards, and engagement results are appropriate prior to issuance.
• (15%) Reporting Preparation & Program Analysis: Support preparation of recurring reporting on IT&V engagement progress, engagement results, trends, and observations. Responsibilities include maintaining status trackers, compiling results, analyzing themes across assessments, and helping support management reporting and program oversight activities.
• (10%) Stakeholder Guidance & Program Support: Provide day-to-day support to Business Units and partners on IT&V expectations, documentation standards, and process requirements. Responsibilities include responding to questions, assisting with follow-up items, helping reinforce timelines and deliverables, and supporting training or awareness activities.
• (10%) Framework & Documentation Support: Assist in maintaining and refining IT&V templates, job aids, guidance documents, and supporting materials. Responsibilities include helping improve consistency of assessment outputs, incorporating lessons learned from completed assessments, and supporting enhancements to the overall program framework.
• (5%) Technical Coaching & Mentorship: Coach Analysts on testing methodology, documentation quality, evidence evaluation, and application of program standards to promote consistency across engagements.

Required Education & Experience (Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities):

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, risk management, accounting, or related field (or equivalent work experience)
• 3–5 years of relevant experience in operational risk management, internal controls, audit, compliance, process improvement, or related field.
• Foundational understanding of risk and control concepts, including the relationship between processes, risks, controls, and residual risk.
• Ability to analyze information, identify documentation gaps, and support structured, high-quality control design and performance testing workpapers.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document complex discussions in a clear and concise manner.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and time management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and work effectively in a cross-functional environment.

Preferred Education & Experience (Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities):

• Experience supporting risk assessments, control assessments, audits, validations, or related governance activities.
• Experience in a financial institution, credit union, bank, or other regulated industry.
• Familiarity with operational risk management, internal control frameworks, or issues management practices.
• Familiarity with risk taxonomies, process documentation, and control inventories.
• Experience supporting reporting, dashboards, trend analysis, or management presentations.

Job Environment & Physical Requirements:

• Hybrid work environment that supports a mix of in-office and remote work, with periodic in-person collaboration based on team or business needs.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks or projects with minimal supervision.

SECU provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other classification protected by law.

Disclaimer

State Employees' Credit Union reserves the right to fill this role at a higher/lower level based on business need.