First Line Risk Manager

About the role

Citizens is seeking an experienced First Line Risk Manager to support Commercial Banking risk management activities. The role involves independently executing Risk & Control Self‑Assessments (RCSAs), evaluating control effectiveness, identifying emerging risks, supporting governance activities, challenging business assumptions, and partnering closely with Commercial Banking stakeholders to ensure risks are appropriately identified, assessed, monitored, and managed.

Responsibilities

• Risk Assessment & Risk Program Execution: Lead and execute RCSAs across Commercial Banking products, services, and processes; identify, assess, document, and monitor risks and associated controls; evaluate inherent and residual risk exposures and recommend mitigation strategies; support risk assessments for new products, process changes, technology implementations, and business initiatives; apply risk‑based judgment to complex situations and provide recommendations.
• Compliance & Controls: Execute control monitoring and testing; assess control design and operating effectiveness; identify control gaps and recommend improvements; document results, observations, conclusions, and corrective actions; support audits, regulatory examinations, assurance reviews, and management responses.
• Issue Management & Remediation: Author, track, validate, and close issues through governance processes; perform root‑cause analysis and evaluate sustainability of remediation; challenge remediation plans as needed; monitor issue trends and identify emerging risks for escalation.
• Risk Governance: Maintain risk, control, process, and issue inventories; ensure alignment between risks, controls, policies, procedures, assessments, and remediation; prepare governance reporting, metrics, and management presentations; participate in risk governance forums and stakeholder discussions.
• Business Partnership: Partner closely with Commercial Banking stakeholders to support responsible growth; provide effective challenge while maintaining strong relationships; collaborate across Risk, Compliance, Audit, Operations, Product, Technology, and business teams to drive sound risk management decisions.

Key Experiences

• Executing end‑to‑end RCSAs
• Risk identification and control evaluation
• Risk‑based decision making and judgment
• Control monitoring and testing
• Issue management and remediation validation
• Governance reporting and committee participation
• New product and change risk assessments
• Commercial Banking risk management
• First Line Risk ownership within a banking environment

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 4+ years of experience in Risk Management, Operational Risk, First Line Risk, Compliance Risk, Controls, or related banking risk disciplines
• Direct experience leading and executing RCSAs
• Experience assessing control effectiveness and documenting risk conclusions
• Experience managing issues, corrective actions, and remediation efforts
• Experience supporting governance activities, audits, or regulatory examinations
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to exercise independent risk judgment and constructively challenge assumptions
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• Commercial Banking, Business Banking, Commercial Lending, Treasury Management, Wholesale Payments, Merchant Services, Cash Management, or related product experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience evaluating risks associated with new products, process changes, or technology implementations
• Experience maintaining risk and control inventories
• Familiarity with governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) platforms
• Experience presenting risk assessments, findings, or recommendations to leadership teams

Who Will Be Most Successful

This role is best suited for individuals with direct First Line Risk experience who can independently build and execute risk assessments, evaluate risks across products, services, and processes, identify control weaknesses, apply risk‑based judgment in ambiguous situations, and partner with business leaders to support informed decision‑making while navigating a fast‑paced Commercial Banking environment.

Additional Context

Backgrounds in Internal Audit, SOX Compliance, Assurance, Quality Control, Vendor Management, Third‑Party Risk, Wealth Operations, or Consumer Banking may provide valuable experience, but the role requires direct First Line Risk execution and ownership of risk management activities within a banking environment. Candidates with demonstrated Commercial Banking and RCSA experience will be strongly preferred.

Hours & Work Schedule

• Hours per week: 40
• Work schedule: Monday‑Friday
• Location: Johnston, RI or Westwood, MA

Pay

The salary range for this position is $84,000 – $110,000 per year, plus an opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus. Actual pay is based on factors such as budget, work location, and relevant skills and experience.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement benefits
• Maternity/paternity leave
• Flexible work arrangements
• Education reimbursement
• Wellness programs
• Paid time off policy that exceeds mandatory local and state requirements

Why Join Citizens?

Citizens has remained consistently profitable through changing economic cycles and continues to invest in strategic growth initiatives across Commercial Banking, Wealth Management, Capital Markets, and Digital capabilities. As part of the multi‑year “Reimagine the Bank” transformation, you will help modernize risk management support while working alongside experienced leaders committed to strengthening the bank’s control environment. If you are energized by solving complex risk challenges, influencing business decisions, and driving responsible growth, Citizens offers a collaborative culture, training resources, and opportunities for career advancement.