Director Business Controls, Global Operations

The role:

Business Controls Director supporting SoFi’s Global Operations business function which is positioned in the first line of defense (1LOD). This leader will facilitate and drive consistent implementation/execution of core 2nd Line of Defense (2LOD) Risk Management programs such as RCSA, Issue Management, and Control Testing. 

The Business Controls Lead will act as the direct advisor to the senior leaders of SoFi, promoting risk-awareness, the overall effectiveness of risk and compliance management program implementation, and the execution across the 1LOD.  The role will provide support and provide advisory services directly to the department heads and their teams to accelerate and ensure quality execution. 

Responsible for supporting and driving consistent 1LOD adherence to critical programs such as building and maintaining risk and control self-assessments (RCSAs); identification and evaluation of control effectiveness through control testing; 1LOD risk reporting; and supporting audits and regulatory exams.  Monitors the first line of defense in these assigned functions to minimize risk exposures and strengthen the overall control environment. Leverages risk assessment data to identify and seek improvements in the control environment for these areas.  Contributes to the overall design and build-out of SoFi Business Controls function.

What you’ll do: 

• Partner and collaborate across your covered departments: the second line of defense Compliance and Risk Management teams; Audit; and Regulators to support a diverse portfolio of risk and compliance-based initiatives to effectively manage and mitigate operational, compliance, strategic and reputational risk.

• Be the direct “one-stop quarterback” to Global Operations senior leaders of each department on all matters related to effective risk management

• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of existing and emerging regulatory requirements, operational processes, inherent risks, and internal policies & practices to provide advice to stakeholders

• Partners with functional unit leaders to ensure existing and emerging risks stemming from business activities are effectively identified, measured, monitored, and controlled.

• Engage in large and complex initiatives and programs to identify and assess risks and controls, develop strategies to remediate gaps identified, and implement processes to effectively manage and mitigate risk

• Follows written second line of defense (2LOD) risk and compliance policies for business activities; assists 1LOD in translating into execution

• Utilize effective 1LOD risk reporting and trend analysis; advise functional unit leaders on the status of their control environment related to risk identification and control weaknesses. Identifies critical areas to monitor and escalates issues and findings to appropriate stakeholders.

• Assists with translating control deficiencies into action plans and provides recommendations to enhance governance practices in alignment with risk and compliance frameworks.

• Anticipates business needs and proactively identifies opportunities to improve and strengthen the control environment through actionable insights.

What you’ll need:

• Bachelor's Degree 

• 10+ years of leadership experience supporting risk and/or compliance-related activities in financial services operating environment or other relevant industry

• Subject matter expertise in operational risk and controls and working knowledge of relevant regulations

• Experience executing RCSA framework, supplier risk management and issues management

• Excellent verbal and written executive communication skills

• Influencing skills and ability to effectively partner with all levels of management 

• Experience interacting with regulators (e.g., Federal Reserve, OCC, or CFPB)

• Experience with risk data, reporting and analysis.

• Ability to analyze, organize and prioritize across multiple competing priorities

• Demonstrates initiative, ownership and accountability

• Results oriented, demonstrated achievement of exceeding expectations

• Strategic thinker who can partner with process owners to drive process improvements