Business Optimization, Partner Oversight & Controls
Job Summary
Green Dot is seeking a P5, Business Optimization — Partner Oversight & Controls to join the Embedded Finance team. This role applies advanced, specialized expertise in first-line risk management, business controls design, and partner oversight.
Key Responsibilities
Define and own the strategy and framework for the first-line business controls function within Embedded Finance, establishing proper oversight and controls, testing plans, timelines, and reporting cadences.
Work closely with first line of defense teams to design, document, and maintain preventative, detective, and corrective controls across key business processes, systems, and partner program operations.
Regularly review and update test plans to reflect changes in the organization, the partner portfolio, and the broader risk and regulatory environment.
Build and sustain a comprehensive monitoring plan for critical and high-risk processes across all Embedded Finance partner programs. Monitor, test, and audit support.
Represent the Embedded Finance Team in all compliance, audit, and exam activity for the Embedded Finance organization—maintaining active partnerships with internal Audit, Risk, Compliance, and external regulatory parties throughout the process.
Evaluate and agree on potential risks with audit staff and subject matter experts (SMEs); draft Management Action Plans (MAPs) to remediate findings and define closure criteria with an emphasis on long-term controls.
Monitor and drive issue remediation through to closure, ensuring findings are resolved timely, verifiably, and in alignment with regulatory expectations. Collaborate with Embedded Finance partners on remediation expectations and timelines.
Conduct recurring sample testing (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly) including call listening, case reviews, and opportunity tracking—reporting findings clearly to senior leadership.
Develop and maintain partner-level scorecards aligned to Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Key Operational Metrics (KOMs) within the risk and controls function.
Conduct ongoing research and evaluation of BaaS partner programs to identify risk mitigation and oversight opportunities; provide data-backed recommendations to senior leadership.
Collaborate with Embedded Finance Relationship Managers, cross-functional stakeholders, and external partners to drive risk reduction initiatives and process enhancements across the portfolio.
Build standardized workflows, templates, and controls processes that can be replicated and scaled across the partner portfolio with maximum efficiency and auditability.
Provide regular status reporting to senior management on key risk indicators, audit outcomes, remediation progress, and control environment health.
Analyze quality assurance and monitoring data to identify trends, training gaps, and systemic risk signals; translate findings into clear, actionable communications for leadership.
Track key financial metrics including GDV, PV, new customer acquisition, and transaction growth as inputs to risk and controls prioritization.
Identify and deliver initiatives that strengthen regulatory oversight and build a sound, scalable risk framework for the Embedded Finance organization.
Design repeatable, trackable controls processes and governance structures that scale with portfolio growth and evolving regulatory complexity.
Lead integration of business information and procedures to improve information sharing and transparency across internal and external stakeholders.
Handle strategic special projects and cross-functional priorities as directed by leadership.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in Finance, Risk Management, Business, or a related field a plus.
8+ years of progressive experience in compliance, risk management, business controls, banking operations, or financial services; payments or FinTech industry experience strongly preferred.
Demonstrated first-line controls experience including internal audit facilitation, regulatory exam management, and ongoing monitoring and testing program ownership.
Proven ability to draft SMART plans, Management Action Plans, and remediation frameworks that satisfy internal and external audit standards.
Comprehensive understanding of financial and banking laws, regulations, and industry standards including OCC, CFPB, BSA/AML, PCI-DSS, and GLBA requirements.
Experience working with regulators (including the OCC) and internal audit/compliance teams in a first-line or risk management capacity.
Track record of designing and scaling controls infrastructure — testing plans, scorecards, monitoring cadences, and reporting frameworks — in complex, matrixed organizations.
Strong financial acumen with experience tracking program-level KPIs and driving risk-based decisions with quantitative support.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to present complex risk topics clearly to senior and executive audiences, as well as regulators.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with a bias toward action and thorough follow-through.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel and PowerPoint.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience within a Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) or Embedded Finance environment, with direct exposure to partner risk and oversight frameworks.
Familiarity with OCC Heightened Standards and/or third-party risk management frameworks applicable to bank-fintech partnerships.
Project Management certification or equivalent demonstrated experience leading cross-functional controls or audit programs.
Experience working directly with partner organizations on risk-related matters, escalations, and remediation.
Location Requirement
This position is open only to candidates who can work in one of the following approved locations: Los Angeles (West LA office); San Francisco (SoMa office); Tampa, FL (Westshore District office); Birmingham, AL (Downtown office).