Lead Independent Testing Officer - Internal Audit, Control Testing & Issue Validation

About the Role:

Wells Fargo is seeking a Lead Independent Testing Officer

In this role, you will:

• Lead complex initiatives executing moderate to high risk or complex review activities and engagements in a matrixed environment
• Communicate emerging risks with broad impact and act as key participant in large scale planning for Independent Testing
• Develop and design methodologies and standards for review activities across the enterprise in alignment with the risk management framework
• Review and research complex development and design of methodologies and standards for review activities companywide in alignment with the risk management framework
• Ensure effective and appropriate testing, validation, and documentation of review activities for risk programs, risks and controls
• Make decisions in complex situations requiring solid understanding of risk management framework and the risk and control environment that influence and lead enterprise testing to meet deliverables and drive new initiatives
• Collaborate and consult with Audit, Legal, external agencies, and regulatory bodies to resolve risk related topics
• Lead project teams and mentor individuals

• 5+ years of Independent Testing experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education

• Strong experience in risk management (includes external/internal audit, compliance, operational risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, market risk)
• Strong direct experience in independent testing.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of financial services industry: compliance, risk management, or audit operations.
• Demonstrated success with influencing business units to identify, formulate and implement processes/procedures to mitigate risk.
• Demonstrated negotiation skills, especially with difficult topics when partnering with lines of business. This includes the willingness and ability to question decisions, understand direction and escalate issues, where necessary.
• Foundational understanding of Enterprise Functions (including but not limited to Finance, Legal, Human Resources, Corporate Risk, etc.) and related supervisory expectations for large financial institutions
• A BS/BA degree or higher in one or a combination of the following: Finance, Accounting, Analytics, or Reporting
• Big four public accounting experience
• A Master of Business Administration (MBA), Chartered Accountant (CA), or a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation
• Strong knowledge of the COSO Framework and/or Risk & Control Self-Assessment (RCSA) programs
• Exposure to bank financial reporting requirements, such as familiarity with CCAR related processes
• Knowledge and understanding of regulatory compliance requirements surrounding SOX Sarbanes-Oxley Act
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organization and prioritization skills
• Strong critical thinking & analytical skills with high attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and across all organizational levels, where flexibility, collaboration, and adaptability are important.
• Specialized knowledge or prior regulatory compliance testing and review experience
• Experience reviewing testing strategies and methodologies; evaluating the adequacy and effectiveness of policies, procedures, processes, initiatives, products, and internal controls; and identifying issues resulting from internal and/or external compliance examinations.
• Intermediate Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint)
• Knowledge of Python or SAS programming and data manipulation using SQL
• Knowledge of model design and performance, Good to have working experience on Toad, Python, VBA
• Articulate, poised and comfortable in direct interaction with senior lines of business partners, Compliance, Independent Risk Management, and Internal Audit.
• Experience supporting Regulatory Exams (Domestic and Int'l), Audits, or other regulatory reporting related assessments.
• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills with high attention to detail and accuracy
• Demonstrated success with influencing business units to identify, formulate and implement processes/procedures to mitigate risk.
• Demonstrated negotiation skills, especially with difficult topics when partnering with lines of business and technology. This includes the willingness and ability to question decisions, understand direction and escalate issues, where necessary

• Leading and overseeing execution of moderate to high risk or complex testing activities/engagements in a matrixed environment, and communicating emerging risks to management
• Ensure teams execute testing and validation in an effective manner with high quality, according to IT&V standards and other applicable policies.
• Provide guidance on key scoping decisions including those tied to high-risk items or targeted reviews associated risk levels.
• Provide thoughtful credible challenge internally and to LOBs, cross-enterprise and across other corporate risk programs.
• Evaluate and credibly challenge if remediation activities performed by the business are sustainable and mitigate the risk(s) identified in associated issues
• Own accountability for ongoing updates to key business stakeholders on the status of the program and potentially on specific reviews where warranted.
• Lead and support efforts to effectively challenge risks in the end-to-end processes and evaluate controls designed to mitigate those risks.
• Partnering with business partners to understand the environment and related initiatives to develop appropriate and complementary testing procedures.
• Documenting test results and issues identified while also providing and communicating recommendations to management.
• Ensure effective and appropriate testing, validation, and documentation of review activities for risk programs, risks, and controls.
• Make recommendations to testing leadership in complex situations requiring solid understanding of risk management framework and the risk and control environment that influence and lead enterprise testing to meet deliverables and drive new initiatives.
• Identifying and implementing efficiencies and process improvements, including automation opportunities pertaining to metrics and reporting