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Operational Risk Lead (Hybrid - 3 days in office - VA)

AT Freddie Mac
Freddie Mac

Operational Risk Lead (Hybrid - 3 days in office - VA)

McLean, VA

At Freddie Mac, you will do important work to build a better housing finance system and you'll be part of a team helping to make homeownership and rental housing more accessible and affordable across the nation.

Position Overview:

Do you enjoy critical thinking, problem solving, interacting, and collaborating with personnel across departments and divisions? The Legal Division is seeking an Operational Risk Lead to join our Division Risk team. The Operational Risk Lead will support the Director in managing and monitoring the Division's operational risk responsibilities. The Lead will contribute to the implementation of Freddie Mac's Operational Risk Management Framework and will engage business and risk partners. This includes ensuring robust governance, identifying, and mitigating risks, support internal audit and timely remediation of issues. Apply now to learn about our excellent benefits and why there's #moreatfreddiemac!

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Our Impact:

The Legal Division provides proactive, timely and cost-effective legal advice adaptable to client needs on all legal matters affecting Freddie Mac. The Operational Risk Lead for the Legal Division will help review and execute on procedures to confirm that the division's Risk and Control Self-Assessments ("RCSAs") are updated regularly and will perform control testing, as necessary. The position will confirm compliance with operational risk-related reporting requirements external to the division. Provide regular updates to key stakeholders on the division's operational risk posture and recommendations for improvement; prepare necessary information to facilitate management discussions and decision making; and translate sophisticated information into plain language for ease of understanding for those less familiar with the risk world. The successful candidate will be self motivated with a "can-do‟ mentality, as well as act calmly and professionally in high-pressure situations.

Your Impact:

Primary responsibilities include collaboration with internal partners across the three lines of risk defense in managing critical Legal Division operational risk and issue management efforts.

  • Prepare business analytics using the Legal Division's matter management system
  • Identify and implement areas of improvement to drive operational excellence and deepen a more robust risk mentality with business partners
  • Support the management and relationship of the division's contracts and retention letters with suppliers and law firms
  • Provide support in conducting analysis and engaging with internal partners
  • Support privacy/records management for the department
  • Participate in and contribute to internal working groups to meet commitments
  • Developing partnerships with First Line of Defense to understand their work to identify, mitigate, monitor, and report on risks impacting their processes
  • Actively supervise and report on business risk profiles, highlighting risks that warrant the most attention
  • Provide insight and monitoring improvements on processes and controls
  • Ensure appropriate alignment with policies, frameworks, processes, and procedures
  • Work seamlessly with a wide group of internal customers in a way that engenders mutual respect and consideration for the other party's point of view

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Economics, Finance, Information Technology, Risk Management, or a related field
  • Minimum 5+ years of relevant work experience in operational risk, compliance, information security or internal audit departments at banks, large financial institutions, or large consulting/assurance firms, with experience on a risk team in a legal office preferred
  • Excellent knowledge and understanding of risk management practices, as well as experience identifying, assessing, managing, and reporting risks, preferably in a legal environment
  • Business insight, with an understanding of the financial services industry and corporate legal departments
  • Understanding of business strategy, clients, and their evolving requirements, with demonstrated problem-solving skills and excellent judgment
  • Experience providing a comprehensive risk management perspective that helps advise business decisions (risk/reward tradeoff)
  • Track record in synthesizing sophisticated information to produce impactful management information and support informed executive decision making
  • Experience in performing risk assessments & performance audits of information security (ITGC) controls
  • Leadership skills in engaging and influencing change
  • Proficient with MS Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint, bonus if you have experience in matter management systems
  • Risk & Project Certifications (CISA/CISM/PMP) preferred
  • Risk Framework Experience - NIST /COBIT/COSO preferred
  • Corporate legal department experience preferred
  • Detail oriented with strong organizational skills.

Keys to Success in this Role:

  • Excellent interpersonal, presentation, communication, and facilitation skills;
  • Ability to work independently and effectively in a constantly evolving environment
  • Ability to develop strong relationships and work with all organizational levels
  • Understand the three lines of defense risk model and its application within a regulated entity
  • Advanced knowledge, skill and understanding in applying risk management practices specifically as it relates to enterprise and operational risk management (e.g., risk appetite, risk assessment, scoring, mitigation, and acceptance)
  • A clear problem solver with the ability to be a self-starter with a knack for independent problem-solving, capable of finding solutions with minimal guidance and adept at independently navigating challenges
  • A demonstrated history in developing and analyzing data, as well as creating and managing reports
  • Leadership skills in influencing and managing change
  • Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to problem solve and get results
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to understand complex areas within a short period of time and multi-task on various projects with competing deadlines
  • Agile and embraces change
  • Strives to continuously learn and grow

Current Freddie Mac employees please apply through the internal career site.

Today, Freddie Mac makes home possible for one in four home borrowers and is one of the largest sources of financing for multifamily housing. Join our smart, creative and dedicated team and you'll do important work for the housing finance system and make a difference in the lives of others.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with differing abilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

CA Applicants: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Notice to External Search Firms: Freddie Mac partners with BountyJobs for contingency search business through outside firms. Resumes received outside the BountyJobs system will be considered unsolicited and Freddie Mac will not be obligated to pay a placement fee. If interested in learning more, please visit www.BountyJobs.com and register with our referral code: MAC.

Time-type:Full time

FLSA Status:Exempt

Freddie Mac offers a comprehensive total rewards package to include competitive compensation and market-leading benefit programs. Information on these benefit programs is available on our Careers site.

This position has an annualized market-based salary range of $114,000 - $172,000 and is eligible to participate in the annual incentive program. The final salary offered will generally fall within this range and is dependent on various factors including but not limited to the responsibilities of the position, experience, skill set, internal pay equity and other relevant qualifications of the applicant.

Client-provided location(s): McLean, VA, USA
Job ID: Freddie_Mac-JR14253
Employment Type: Other