Wells Fargo - Saint Louis, MO
posted 3 months ago
Wells Fargo is seeking a Lead Independent Testing Officer in Independent Testing & Validation (IT&V) as part of Corporate Risk. The Independent Testing & Validation team is responsible for the development and design of methodologies and standards for review activities across the Enterprise in alignment with the Risk Management Framework. This role ensures effective and appropriate testing, validation, and documentation of review activities for risk programs, risks, and controls according to standards and other applicable policies. The Lead Independent Testing Officer will be accountable for developing and executing independent operational and compliance risk control testing focusing on emerging issues and targeted testing. Strong business acumen and experience will be a determining factor in selection. Successful candidates will be articulate, thought leaders, and possess demonstrated leadership capability; they will be impressive in their inter-personal effectiveness, regarding their accomplishments, and with a proven ability to engage and influence senior management and business and risk partners. In this role, you will lead teams that plan and execute compliance and operational risk control testing and be accountable for conducting end-to-end business process walkthroughs, identifying risks and primary and compensating operational and compliance controls, evaluating control design, and testing the effectiveness of manual and automated controls. You will supervise the team throughout the life cycle of testing activities to provide ongoing guidance on scope, sampling, testing approach, issues, work papers, quality reviews, etc. You will also develop, maintain, and execute the Annual Plan, ensuring it includes targeted reviews based on risk and meets internal benchmarks. Anticipating changes in the internal and external environment and adapting the testing program of the team accordingly will be crucial. Additionally, you will lead the implementation of strategic initiatives with moderate risk and complexity, develop and manage relationships with the business, and implement an effective engagement model for the team and business. Understanding applicable business risks and providing effective challenge to business and/or compliance partners when operational controls are missing, inadequate, or ineffective will be part of your responsibilities. You will influence line of business and control executive teams to resolve issues, develop sound corrective actions, and strengthen internal controls. Staying informed of business management's plans to address corrective actions and working with the validation team to understand and assess residual risks will be essential. Collaboration with legal, audit, compliance, and business partners will help you stay up to date with ongoing business process changes, regulatory expectations, and customer feedback. You will triage critical or high-risk issues and determine next steps, ensuring repeat issues are documented appropriately. Providing thoughtful independent credible challenge to lines of business across risk programs and the enterprise will be a key aspect of your role. You will also improve the bench strength of the team by developing subject matter expertise within the team of all the major products, services, and processes in the line of business and developing a thorough understanding of the laws and regulations, regulatory guidance, and policies and procedures of the functions reviewed. Elevating the team's quality of work performed, reviewing quality assurance feedback, and taking appropriate actions to address areas requiring attention will be part of your duties. You will identify continuous improvement opportunities and implement routines to drive effectiveness and efficiency, write reports that clearly articulate work performed and summarize testing results to business leadership, executive management, and the board, and provide status updates to key stakeholders on programs and specific reviews where warranted. Lastly, you will sustain a strong risk culture that identifies and provides oversight and escalation of existing and emerging risk issues and common themes across business groups.