VP, CTO Governance Leader

Job Description:

Role Summary/Purpose:

The VP, CTO Governance Leader will drive the priorities for safety and soundness across the CTO organization.  They will ensure the CTO organization is prepared and ready for internal and external Exams,  lead exam execution for the organization, drive risk identification and remediation and strengthen our risk and control framework.  Additionally, they will lead the team of CTO governance and risk resources.   This role works in close collaboration across all 3 lines of defense. 

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:

• This leader will lead the risk and governance activities for the CTO organization.  They will manage and/or coordinates all exams/tasks to help prioritize for the business using a risk based approach.  Additionally, they will drive risk management for the CTO organization

• Lead the team and/or personally lead OCC and FRB exams, Internal Audits, 2LOD exams, Pen tests. 

•  Ability to explain technical challenges and solutions  to non-technical leaders and accurately describe the risk to the business in order to appropriately prioritize risks for the business. 

• Ability to challenge when evaluating the true risk to the business. 

• Ability to listen and interpret the level of risk to guide appropriate next steps for the organization. 

• Liaison with Information Security team on risk management.

• Responsible for the team who leads the PCI evidence delivery in the CTO space.

• Drive proactive action in evaluating the control environment and identifying risks. 

• Drive automation in the assessment of our control environment.

• Responsible for the communication of overall issues remediation work in the CTO environment, liaison for the Tech and Ops Issues Management team and driving timely issues remediation across CTO. 

• Strong risk mindset to lead the identification, treatment, and remediation of risks across CTO.

• Participate and drive continuous improvements in the area of issues management. 

• Responsible for the Audit Readiness program; a calendar of tasks that drive surveillance.

• Responsible for the facilitation for creating or renewing Policies, Standards, and Procedures.  Ensuring CTO has the appropriate requirements documents supporting the PRC framework.  Reviewing FFIEC guidance to ensure Synchrony is meeting. 

• Collaborate across technology on issues remediation and Sox compliance. 

• Product Owner for the CTO Governance board, participate in Agile ceremonies, and drive PI Planning for the Governance area. 

• Liaison to the Tech and Ops Governance team as well as both 2nd and 3rd Line of defense for the CTO organization. 

• Strong communication and influencing skills are required with the ability to facilitate challenging conversations with senior leadership. 

• This is a front-line, hands-on, role expected to be involved in exam/audit details and driving the team to deliver the results required in timeframe expected. 

• Create and update dashboards to communicate status and drive productivity in this space. 

• Advocate across the organization driving good risk practices. 

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

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 8+ years of either Technology, Risk Management, OR in lieu of a degree minimum of 12+ years of Technology and Agile Portfolio Management experience

• Demonstrated experience of governance  and/or risk management. 

• Strong people leadership skills

• Demonstrated experience working in a matrixed environment with proven experience influencing leaders at all levels.

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

•  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 disruption

• Minimum 7 years of Technology or Risk Management experience

Desired Characteristics:

• Demonstrate strong risk management mindset and behavior

• Experience working in the Cloud

• Action and detail oriented, excellent organization and prioritization skills

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

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

• Demonstrate commitment to continuous improvement

Grade/Level: 13

The salary range for this position is 150,000.00 - 250,000.00 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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