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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Risk and Compliance Manager

💰 $110,000 - $175,000

Risk ManagementComplianceLegalFinanceCorporate Governance

🎯 Role Definition

We are actively seeking a diligent and strategic Risk and Compliance Manager to join our dynamic team. In this pivotal role, you will be the cornerstone of our corporate governance, responsible for identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential risks across the organization. You will architect and maintain our risk management framework, ensuring we not only meet but exceed regulatory standards. This position requires a proactive leader who can collaborate with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to embed a culture of risk awareness and compliance, safeguarding our assets, reputation, and strategic objectives. If you are passionate about building resilient organizations and navigating the complex landscape of modern regulations, we want to hear from you.


📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Risk Analyst
  • Compliance Officer or Specialist
  • Internal Audit Senior / Manager

Advancement To:

  • Director of Risk Management
  • Chief Compliance Officer (CCO)
  • Head of Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC)

Lateral Moves:

  • Internal Audit Director
  • Information Security Governance Manager
  • Director of Business Operations

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop, implement, and continuously improve the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework, policies, and procedures to ensure comprehensive risk coverage.
  • Conduct thorough and regular risk assessments across all business units to identify, analyze, and evaluate potential operational, financial, strategic, and compliance risks.
  • Design and execute a robust compliance monitoring program to ensure the organization's adherence to relevant laws, regulations (e.g., SOX, GDPR, AML), and industry standards.
  • Act as the primary liaison with external auditors and regulatory bodies, managing inquiries, coordinating audits, and ensuring timely response to findings.
  • Prepare and present clear, concise risk reports, dashboards, and key risk indicators (KRIs) for the executive leadership team and the Board of Directors.
  • Lead the development and delivery of company-wide training programs to foster a culture of compliance and risk awareness among all employees.
  • Oversee the investigation, documentation, and resolution of compliance incidents, breaches, and whistleblower reports, ensuring root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
  • Manage the organization's policy lifecycle, including the creation, review, approval, and dissemination of all corporate policies and procedures.
  • Direct the third-party vendor risk management program, including due diligence, contract review, and ongoing monitoring of key suppliers and partners.
  • Collaborate with IT and security teams to ensure that information security risks are effectively managed and aligned with the overall ERM framework.
  • Develop, maintain, and test the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) and Disaster Recovery (DR) strategies to ensure organizational resilience.
  • Provide expert advice and guidance to business leaders and project teams on risk mitigation strategies and control design for new products, services, and initiatives.
  • Monitor the evolving regulatory landscape, interpreting new legislation and guidance to assess its impact on the organization and drive necessary changes.
  • Lead risk-focused workshops and meetings with key stakeholders to facilitate the identification and assessment of emerging risks.
  • Manage the corporate insurance program, ensuring appropriate coverage is in place and handling claims in coordination with legal and finance departments.

Secondary Functions

  • Evaluate and manage the implementation and optimization of Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) software and tools.
  • Support the legal department in reviewing commercial contracts and agreements to identify and mitigate potential liabilities and compliance risks.
  • Contribute to the annual strategic planning process by providing data-driven insights on the organization's risk profile and appetite.
  • Drive a culture of continuous improvement by analyzing control deficiencies and recommending process enhancements to strengthen the internal control environment.
  • Participate in M&A due diligence activities, assessing the risk and compliance posture of potential acquisition targets.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Enterprise Risk Management (ERM): Deep expertise in designing and implementing ERM frameworks (e.g., COSO, ISO 31000).
  • Regulatory Knowledge: In-depth understanding of relevant regulations such as SOX, GDPR, CCPA, AML/KYC, and other industry-specific compliance requirements.
  • Audit Management: Proven experience managing internal and external audit cycles, from planning to remediation.
  • Policy & Procedure Development: Skill in writing, implementing, and managing clear and effective corporate policies.
  • GRC Tools: Proficiency with Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) platforms (e.g., ServiceNow GRC, RSA Archer, OneTrust).
  • Control Testing & Design: Ability to design, implement, and test the effectiveness of internal controls.
  • Data Analysis & Reporting: Competency in using data to identify risk trends and create insightful reports for executive audiences.

Soft Skills

  • Stakeholder Management: Exceptional ability to build relationships, influence, and collaborate with senior executives, department heads, and external partners.
  • Communication: Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to distill complex topics into clear, actionable information.
  • Analytical & Critical Thinking: Superior analytical skills with a demonstrated ability to identify the root cause of issues and develop creative, pragmatic solutions.
  • Leadership & Influence: Strong leadership presence to drive a culture of compliance and guide cross-functional teams without direct authority.
  • Integrity & Professionalism: Unwavering ethical standards and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information.
  • Problem-Solving: Proactive and solution-oriented mindset with a talent for navigating ambiguity and complex challenges.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to documentation, reporting, and policy review to ensure accuracy and completeness.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

  • Master's Degree (e.g., MBA, Master's in Law) and/or professional certifications such as Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), or Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Finance or Accounting
  • Business Administration
  • Law or Pre-Law

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 7-10+ years of progressive experience in risk management, compliance, or internal audit roles.

Preferred:

  • Experience in a regulated industry (e.g., financial services, healthcare, technology).
  • A proven track record of reporting directly to and advising senior leadership and board-level committees.