Senior Risk Officer - Operational Risk Oversight - Salt Lake City

Zions Bancorporation is one of the nation’s premier financial services companies operating as a collection of great banks under local brands and management teams in high-growth western markets. Zions is regularly recognized by American Banker magazine as having a top banking team in its list of “The Most Powerful Women in Banking.” Our customers consistently vote us as the best bank in our local markets. We value our employees, and we are committed to search out, recognize and create fulfilling opportunities for outstanding people within our organization, rewarding them for their contributions to our success. We recognize that banking is a “local” business, and that to be successful, we must have very strong ties to the communities we serve and strong relationships with our customers.

With benefits starting on day one, 12 bank holidays, profit sharing and company-matched 401(k) contributions, Zions is dedicated to being an employer of choice in our communities. At Zions, the possibilities are endless. You bring the talent; we bring the opportunity.

Zions is seeking a strategic Senior Risk Officer to join our Operational Risk Oversight (ORO) team. Operating as a crucial member of the second line of defense, you will provide independent oversight, review, and credible challenge to first-line business units. In this role, you will act as a trusted advisor to help identify, assess, and mitigate operational risks across the bank's diverse products and services. By monitoring risk management activities and influencing material business decisions, you will ensure strict alignment with the Bank's risk appetite while delivering actionable risk insights to executive leadership, management committees, and the Board of Directors.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with key first line stakeholders to ensure alignment with the Bank’s risk appetite.
• Review, analyze, and evaluate business processes, procedures, and controls to assess operational risk mitigation activities.
• Perform data analysis and testing to support conclusions regarding operational risk in processes.
• Rapidly analyze complex data and translate results into clearly written reports and memos, ensuring accuracy, appropriate tone, and clarity for internal and regulatory audiences (e.g., OCC).
• Identify process improvement and risk mitigation opportunities, including the development and implementation of key controls, key risk indicators, and reporting.
• Communicate feedback to process owners and senior management regarding process improvement and operational risk mitigation opportunities.
• Conduct issue/observation analysis related to audit findings, self-identified issues and operational risk events.
• Develop and deliver targeted operational risk training and resources to first-line partners to enhance risk awareness and promote a strong risk culture.
• Review and assess root causes of significant operational risk events and perform post-event reviews as needed.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Statistics, Math, Economics, or a related field.
• 6+ years of experience in bank operations, risk management, compliance, auditing, or other directly related fields, preferably within financial services.
• A combination of education and experience may meet requirements.

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across teams and leadership roles while providing constructive review and challenge to the business.
• Demonstrates strong presentation and communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to draft clear, accurate reports for executive and regulatory audiences.
• Advanced analytical, root-cause analysis, problem-resolution, and process-mapping skills.
• Strong project management capabilities, with a plus for candidates bringing process improvement, analytics, or automation experience.
• Ability to develop and provide applicable risk training and resources to first-line partners to foster a strong, risk-aware culture across the organization.
• Ability to quickly learn and navigate complex organizational structures, business processes, and bank-specific requirements.
• Strong proficiency required in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance - START DAY ONE!
• Life and Disability Insurance, Paid Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• Health Savings (HSA), Flexible Spending (FSA) and dependent care accounts
• Paid Training, Paid Time Off (PTO) and 12 Paid Federal Holidays
• 401(k) plan with company match, Profit Sharing, competitive compensation in line with work experience
• Mental health benefits including coaching and therapy sessions.
• Tuition Reimbursement for qualifying employees
• Employee Ambassador preferred banking products