VP, Tech & Ops Systems Governance Leader

Job Description:

Role Summary/Purpose:

Reporting to the SVP, Tech & Ops Systems Governance Leader, the VP, Tech & Ops Systems Governance Leader, is responsible for building automated mechanisms to measure adherence to Synchrony’s policies, standards, and procedures including compliance to SOX controls. This role will focus on developing innovative processes to measure compliance to Information Technology General Controls (ITGC) within Tech & Ops first line of defense (1LOD) function.  This role requires significant interaction with employees across various Synchrony functions and different levels of the organization, including ability to influence and provide credible challenge for risk management. The individual will work closely with multiple teams within the Tech & Ops function, various process owners, Independent Risk Management (2LOD), Audit (3LOD), and executive management. The role requires a strong leader who can elevate Tech & Ops 1LOD risk management core capabilities. The leader will also drive and provide leadership to an innovative and highly collaborative team of professionals focused on the development and implementation of technical controls designed to eliminate manual ITGC testing work across Tech & Ops.

Our Way of Working

We’re proud to offer you choice and flexibility. At Synchrony, our way of working allows you to have the option to work from home, near one of our Hubs or come into one of our offices. Occasionally you may be required to commute to our nearest office for in person engagement activities such as business or team meetings, training and culture events.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Daily supervision, leadership, and support of technical professionals to ensure the team adheres to relevant enterprise standards for risk management & governance requirements and to promote a culture of high performance, feedback and growth.

• Drive innovation throughout the systems surveillance team with a focus on using automation to eliminate manual work, collaborative problem solving, and proactive process enhancement.

• Lead, develop, and execute IT General Controls and IT application control testing including adherence to SOX controls to measure compliance with existing standards through automation.

• Interact and collaborate with stakeholders and process owners throughout the organization to implement necessary process and IT control modifications to mitigate operational, regulatory, and financial risks.

• Identify control gaps and potential issues, discuss viable solutions with the business to address gaps, and obtain management action plans for remediation.

• Influence senior management on matters which will have significant impacts with the subject areas of IT General Controls compliance, SOX, and process automation.

• Establish preventative and detective IT controls within centralized Process Control team to identify process issues early and limit the size and severity of issues.

• Ensure control owners have developed and documented sustainable mechanisms that succinctly articulate the process, risks, controls, test results, and adherence to corporate standards.

• Bring a strategic lens and leadership to efforts to ensure the necessary controls and monitoring are in place and executed appropriately.

• Sets the strategic direction for all first line of defense surveillance activity within Tech & Ops.

• Promotes risk-awareness and overall effectiveness of risk management programs.

• Leverage critical thinking skills to look beyond existing methodologies and current discipline to define and resolve complex problems.

• Perform other duties and/or special projects as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum 7+ years in Information Technology, IT Risk, Operational Risk, or Compliance experience OR in lieu of a degree, High School Diploma/G.E.D. and minimum 10+ years of either IT, IT Risk, Operational Risk, Audit or Compliance experience

• 5+ years of experience with full Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and advocating for modern Agile Software development best practices.

• 5+ years of demonstrate experience working with regulatory compliance frameworks including FFIEC, SOX

• 5+ years of people leadership experience with a track record of building high performing, engaged work teams.

• Experience with cross-functional collaboration and partnership across all lines of defense.

• 5+ years' experience and demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications, advanced spreadsheet, flowcharting, data analytics, and visualization tools (ex: SAS, Tableau).

• Willing to work flexible shifts and timings to be available to respond to emergencies.

• Ability to Travel up to 10% of the time.

Desired Characteristics:

• Demonstrate experience driving improvements across complex organizations and processes of varying levels of maturity

• Experience working with industry standard maturity models

• Strong project management, presentation, and communication skills with a demonstrated business presence while interacting with senior business executives

• Strong analytical skills and the ability to evaluate risk/reward tradeoffs appropriate to maintaining risk appetite

• Proven experience executing with accuracy, on time and while dealing with ambiguity

• Action and detail oriented, excellent organization and prioritization skills

• Proven experience developing and influencing a balanced perspective resulting from the consolidation and analysis of information from multiple perspectives, in a balanced and timely manner

• Independent worker with awareness of when to escalate and engage others

• Demonstrate commitment to continuous improvement

• Proven experience with partnering, collaborating and influencing across a large multilayered organization at all levels

• Proven experience handling multiple, and competing priorities across all stakeholder groups and effectively resolving competing priorities and interests with minimal disruptions

• Influence and role model behaviors that will lead to a “STRONG” risk environment

Grade/Level: 12

The salary range for this position is 110,000.00 - 185,000.00 USD Annual and is eligible for an annual bonus based on individual and company performance.

Actual compensation offered within the posted salary range will be based upon work experience, skill level or knowledge.

Salaries are adjusted according to market in CA, NY Metro and Seattle.

Eligibility Requirements:

• You must be 18 years or older

• You must have a high school diploma or equivalent

• You must be willing to take a drug test, submit to a background investigation and submit fingerprints as part of the onboarding process

• You must be able to satisfy the requirements of Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.

• New hires (Level 4-7) must have 9 months of continuous service with the company before they are eligible to post on other roles.  Once this new hire time in position requirement is met, the associate will have a minimum 6 months’ time in position before they can post for future non-exempt roles.  Employees, level 8 or greater, must have at least 18 months’ time in position before they can post.  All internal employees must consistently meet performance expectations and have approval from your manager to post (or the approval of your manager and HR if you don’t meet the time in position or performance expectations).

Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required.  We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. 

Our Commitment:

When you join us, you’ll be part of a diverse, inclusive culture where your skills, experience, and voice are not only heard—but valued. We celebrate the differences in all of us and believe that our individual, unique perspectives is what makes Synchrony truly a great place to work. Together, we’re building a future where we can all belong, connect and turn ideals into action. Through the power of our 8 Diversity Networks+, with more than 60% of our workforce engaged, you’ll find community to connect with an opportunity to go beyond your passions.

This starts when you choose to apply for a role at Synchrony. We ensure all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Reasonable Accommodation Notice:

• Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

• If you need special accommodations, please call our Career Support Line so that we can discuss your specific situation. We can be reached at 1-866-301-5627.   Representatives are available from 8am – 5pm Monday to Friday, Central Standard Time

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