AVP, Surveillance and RCSA Program Assurance Lead

Role Summary/Purpose:

Reporting to the VP, Surveillance Program Office, this role is responsible for supporting the  execution and ongoing adherence to Synchrony’s enterprise Surveillance and RCSA assurance activities. This position will provide effective support and challenge across business processes through risk-based testing, issue identification, and partnership with process owners and key risk stakeholders across the organization. This role requires domain experience in risk management and testing, and the ability to independently assess control design and effectiveness to identify enhancements needed to sufficiently mitigate risks. This role must be able to think critically and provide effective challenge to stakeholders related to their processes, risks, and controls and will help ensure consistent execution of Surveillance and RCSA assurance activities, maintain high-quality documentation and evidence, and support remediation and repeat-defect monitoring. 

Essential Responsibilities

• Design and execute risk-based Surveillance testing to support detective monitoring of Surveillance activities across the organization.
• Perform independent quality assurance reviews of testing work, workpapers, and supporting documentation evidence.
• Design and execute risk-based RCSA testing to support detective monitoring of RCSAs across the organization.
• Design and execute risk-based RCSA content effective challenge activities to validate completeness, accuracy, and consistency of RCSAs.
• Identify process defects and control gaps, including the identification of issues, and communicate results to key stakeholders.
• Facilitate discussions with process owners and surveillance leaders to clarify expectations, resolve questions, and confirm required updates.
• Identify recurring execution themes and recommend updates to standards, guidance, and training materials.
• Maintain complete, organized, and traceable workpapers and supporting evidence.
• Support remediation validation and repeat-defect monitoring activities.
• Partner with Functional Governance, Issues Management, and Risk stakeholders as needed for escalated results.
• Track and report testing results, trends, and themes  and prepare summary reporting for management, leadership and stakeholders.
• Monitor repeat issues and recurring control breakdowns to support sustainable resolution.
• Identify opportunities to streamline and improve assurance processes and reviews.
• Coach analyst(s) on quality assurance steps, documentation standards, and testing expectations.
• Perform other duties and/or special projects as assigned.
• Support the identification and implementation of solutions for enhancements to centralized tools, reporting, and technology to increase efficiency and effectiveness of Surveillance.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 4 years of experience in audit, risk testing, or surveillance experience.  Or, in lieu of a Bachelor's degree, a high school diploma/GED and 7 years of audit, testing, or Surveillance experience of relevant subject matter expertise in risk management or governance.
• Demonstrated experience with control testing and transactional testing, control gap analysis, design evaluation and enhancements, and issue identification and remediation tracking.
• Demonstrated experience working with compliance and operational risk requirements.
• Knowledge of risk taxonomy, control taxonomy, or process mapping.
• Experience performing quality assurance reviews or second-level review of testing performed.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing regulatory or business requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to execute testing activities and communicate results clearly to business and risk partners.
• Proven collaboration skills across functions and lines of defense to support effective risk mitigation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present findings clearly to a variety of stakeholders.
• Strong critical thinking skills with the ability to identify patterns and trends, assess root causes, identify opportunities for process or standard enhancements, and support resolution of complex issues.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain high-quality documentation, and deliver work on time.
• Strong working knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint.

Desired Characteristics

• Industry certification(s) relevant to audit or risk management such as CIA, CFE , CRMA, or related designation.
• Strong knowledge of Risk and Control Self-Assessment (RCSA) processes and control environments with experience in content review and effective challenge.
• Knowledge of Compliance Requirements, Risk and Control Self-Assessment (RCSA) program and Operational Risk Framework.
• Experience with Surveillance Program or 1st Line Testing activities in a Financial Services or regulated environment.
• Comfort working across multiple lines of defense and partnering with risk, compliance and business teams.
• Experience using data to identify patterns, trends or repeat defects.
• Exposure to control design assessments and control enhancement recommendations with the understanding of test of design and test of effectiveness concepts.
• Experience supporting or testing enterprise risk programs in Surveillance, QA, or control testing activities within a large corporate environment. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with process owners and cross-functional partners.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to workpaper quality and evidence traceability.
• Comfortable coaching and supporting less experienced team members.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills across levels of the organization.
• Analytical thinking skills and curious mindset with proven ability to dig into data and ask critical questions.

Grade/Level: 11

The salary range for this position is 90,000.00 - 155,000.00 USD Annual and is eligible for an annual bonus based on individual and company performance.

Actual compensation offered within the posted salary range will be based upon work experience, skill level or knowledge.

Salaries are adjusted according to market in CA, NY Metro and Seattle.

Our Way of Working:

We’re proud to offer you flexibility. At Synchrony, our way of working allows you to have the option to work from home near one of our Hubs or come into one of our offices. You will be required to commute to your nearest Hub (either virtual or physical) for in-person engagement activities such as regular business or team meetings, training and culture events. 

*Field Sales and some Commercial team roles may have varied location requirements based upon partner obligations or preferences.

Eligibility Requirements:

• You must be 18 years or older
• You must have a high school diploma or equivalent
• You must be willing to take a drug test, submit to a background investigation and submit fingerprints as part of the onboarding process
• You must be able to satisfy the requirements of Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.
• New hires (Level 4-7) must have 9 months of continuous service with the company before they are eligible to post on other roles.  Once this new hire time in position requirement is met, the associate will have a minimum 6 months’ time in position before they can post for future non-exempt roles.  Employees, level 8 or greater, must have at least 18 months’ time in position before they can post.  All internal employees must consistently meet performance expectations and have approval from your manager to post (or the approval of your manager and HR if you don’t meet the time in position or performance expectations).

Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required.  We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. 

Our Commitment:

When you join us, you’ll be part of an inclusive culture where your individual skills, experience, and voice are not only heard – but valued. Together, we’re building a future where we can all belong, connect, and turn ideals into action. More than 50% of our workforce is engaged in our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), where community and passion intersect to offer a safe space to learn and grow.

This starts when you choose to apply for a role at Synchrony. We ensure all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. We’re proud to have an award-winning culture for all. 

Reasonable Accommodation Notice:

• Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.
• If you need special accommodations, please call our Career Support Line so that we can discuss your specific situation. We can be reached at 1-866-301-5627.   Representatives are available from 8am – 5pm Monday to Friday, Central Standard Time

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