At Associated Bank we strive to create an inclusive culture where different perspectives are valued and recognized as strengths critical to our success. If you thrive in an environment where your growth and development are encouraged and supported, then Associated Bank may be the right place for you.

This position is accountable for the strategy, oversight, and management of the first line of defense business line risk activities within the Operations and Technology business unit, in adherence with the company’s risk strategy.

The Operations & Technology Risk Officer is responsible for staying current with regulatory expectations and industry trends, ensuring compliance with those expectations, and business line audits and regulatory exams. Additionally, the Operations & Technology Risk Officer ensures effective communication among the business line, Corporate Risk team, and other constituents (e.g., ELT, Board of Directors, Internal Audit and regulators). The Operations & Technology Risk Officer reports to the Chief Information Officer and maintains a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Chief Risk Officer.

This position participates in Operations & Technology strategy discussions and provides input to promote an environment of risk awareness and risk ownership. This role will build and develop collaborative partnerships with senior management across multiple lines of business and internal departments, Corporate Risk program leaders, and other stakeholders to enhance business line risk capabilities.

This role will manage recruitment, training, and development for a team of colleagues within the business unit.

Strategic Alignment:

• Lead the development of the Operations & Technology risk strategy, aligning with Corporate Risk framework goals and regulatory expectations
• Serve as the senior risk advisor to the Operations & Technology leadership team, providing strategic guidance on risk-related matters across all departments within Operations & Technology
• Oversee the design and implementation of the risk management framework for Operations & Technology alignment with Heightened Standards
• Finalize scope and strategy surrounding risk management to Heightened Standards within the first line of defense consistent with our enterprise-wide risk strategy
• Drive detailed development and execution of a plan to fully staff and institutionalize (through processes and artifacts) the first line of defense Heightened Standards strategy
• Establish and maintain risk governance structures, including participation within necessary risk committees and escalation protocols
• Effectively communicate first line of defense Heightened Standards strategy, progress/results, and risks to all key constituencies: first line of defense leadership and colleagues; Corporate Risk; Auditors; Board of Directors, Executive Leadership; and regulators
• Maintain strong yet independent relationships among first line of defense (including Executive Leadership) and other lines of defense
• Supports Operations & Technology risk and compliance training, updates and presentation materials

Oversight

• Stays current with regulatory expectations, laws and guidance along with enforcement actions and industry trends to ensure compliance against standards
• Identify and summarizes trends in risk management, making recommendations to address impact
• Drive continuous improvement in risk processes, leveraging technology and data analytics for enhanced risk insights
• Effectively challenge risk program outputs to ensure alignment with bank and regulatory agencies
• Drive the implementation of program policies, standards, and procedures as well as key risk indicators (KRIs), thresholds, and reporting metrics to proactively identify and manage emerging risks
• Manage the tracking and reporting of key indicators and limits to ensure timely escalation as required by corporate risk guidance
• Foster the leading of the execution of risk and control self-assessments (RCSAs) across the business line, addressing gaps and enhancing controls
• Oversee the identification, assessment, and management of operational risks within Operations & Technology, ensuring effective control environments
• Assists with audits and regulatory exams as well as management / committee reporting
• Escalates risks and holds parties accountable for risk adherence within the front line; ensures compliance with accountability policy

Leadership

• Build and develop a high performing team of risk professionals, fostering collaboration and accountability across Operations & Technology
• Drive a culture of risk awareness, risk identification, mitigation and ensuring risk considerations are integrated into all strategic and operational decisions
• Establish department goals and monitors performance to expected achievement
• Manage the performance, training, and evaluation of direct reports 
• Maximize department achievement though coaching, mentorship, collaboration, and professional development

Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience in Information Technology, Corporate Risk

Preferred Education: Master’s Degree

Required Work Experience:

• 12+ years of experience in Banking systems, processes, and infrastructure
• 12+ years years of progressive responsibilities, knowledge and exposure to IT Internal Audit/SOX compliance
• 12+ years of Data-driven analytics and data management (tool agnostic). Knowledge of standard risk management or control frameworks. Knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements, guidelines and industry frameworks.
• Proficiency in assessing risk and risk management practices. Experience dealing with regulatory challenges and changes within the operations and technology space, including negotiating with regulators on action plans needed around findings and Matters Requiring Attention (MRAs)
• 12+ years proven management and organization skills. Ability to demonstrate courage and independence when communicating with executive management and senior leadership when presenting complex issues, recommendations, and program opinions.

Preferred: Risk management experience at a $50B+ financial institution

In addition to core traditional benefits, we take pride in offering benefits for every stage of life. 

• Retirement savings including both 401(k) and Pension plans. 

• Paid time off to volunteer in your community. 

• Opportunities to connect with others through our diversity-focused Colleague Resource Groups. 

• Competitive salaries with professional development and advancement opportunities. 

• Bonus benefits including well-being programs and incentives, parental leave, an employee stock purchase plan, military benefits and much more.  

• Personal banking, loan, investment and insurance benefits. 

Associated Bank serves more than 120 communities throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota and we consider our colleagues critical to our continued success. See why our colleagues continually vote us a best place to work in the Midwest. Join our community on Facebook, LinkedIn and X. 

Compliance Statement

Associated Bank is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse workforce. We support a work environment where colleagues are respected and given the opportunity to perform to their fullest potential. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status, among other factors.

Fully complies with all applicable enterprise policies and procedures. Acts in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations as outlined in training materials, including but not limited to Bank Secrecy Act. Responsible for reporting suspicious activity to Financial Intelligence. Responsible to report all customer complaints as prescribed and procedure violations to management or HR.

Responsible to report ethical concerns as needed to Associated Bank’s anonymous Ethics Hotline.

Associated Bank provides additional assistance throughout the application, interview and hiring process. Please contact [email protected] if you need an accommodation at any time during the process.

Associated Banc-Corp is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. Associated Banc-Corp participates in the E-Verify Program. E-Verify Notice English or Spanish. Know Your Right to Work English or Spanish.

Associated Bank is Pay Transparency compliant.

The pay range represents anticipated base pay for this role. Actual pay may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, work location, skills, experience, education, and qualifications for the role.

$134,820.00 - $231,120.00