Senior Manager, Business Unit Risk - Product Governance

Your opportunity

At Schwab, you’re empowered to make an impact on your career. Here, innovative thought meets creative problem solving, helping us “challenge the status quo” and transform the finance industry together.

The Wealth and Advice Solutions Risk & Governance (WAS R&G) is a team of risk professionals supporting the Wealth and Advice Solutions (WAS) business in understanding and executing obligations of various risk programs. Within WAS R&G, the Governance and Business Operations team is responsible for elevating and focusing on governance practices across WAS. Key activities include governance forums across WAS, Metrics and Reporting, Product Governance, and Disclosure Management.

Reporting to the Director, WAS R&G, Product Governance, the Sr. Manager will play a critical role in supporting the WAS business as they navigate product review obligations across the pre-launch, launch, and post-implementation lifecycle. This role requires understanding of Enterprise Risk Frameworks and Risk Management Practices related to risk identification, risk response, measurement and reporting. In this role you will grow your knowledge by cultivating subject matter expertise in the Product Review Process and helping the business identify, assess, and manage risks.

This role also requires strong risk management, governance, and stakeholder engagement skills, as well as the ability to navigate complex regulatory and business landscapes. This individual will work closely with product and offer owners, product teams, risk, compliance, and legal partners to navigate the product governance framework that supports business growth while mitigating risks effectively.

Your responsibilities will include, but not limited to, supporting the following Product Governance activities:

• Primary focus is facilitating the risk assessment processes to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associates with product launches, modification, and ongoing operations

• Provides guidance to product and offer teams on risk identification, approval requirements, and governance considerations throughout the product lifecycle 

• Supports the development of mitigants and metrics to address new or evolving risks associated with product launches or modifications

• Facilitates process to engage peers across WAS Risk & Governance to evaluate impact to Risk Programs (e.g., conflicts of interest, disclosures, policies, supervision practices)

• Establish and maintain roadmaps and timelines for required approvals and governance forum appearances 

• Consults and contributes to preparing materials for governance forums  

• Serve as a subject matter expert and trusted advisor on the product review process, guiding the product and offer teams on their pre-launch, launch and post-launch obligations

• Build and maintain strong partnerships with peer business and stakeholders engaged in the Product Review Process to ensure a collaborative and effective governance approach

• Support the Director with product review reporting and governance updates

• Support the Director in implementation of the processes and practices to drive continued operational efficiency

• Design, develop, and create WAS business guided resources 

• As needed, execute on risk or regulatory projects through partnership with internal stakeholders

• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to implement improvements to the product review process

• Other product or governance related activities 

What you have

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in product governance, risk management or compliance, preferably in a diversified financial services environment

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to identify risks, assess impact, and recommend mitigation strategies

• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent work experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in risk identification, measurement, monitoring and reporting with a focus on financial products and offers

• Solid knowledge of recent regulatory developments with a specific focus on products

• Understanding of product governance frameworks and best practices

• Strong understanding of retail, advisory and brokerage products/services

• Strong written and verbal communication, organization, and project management skills with experience preparing governance reports, risk assessment, and executive-level presentations

• Ability to engage with senior stakeholders and partners with cross-functional teams

• Expertise in turning data into actionable insights using effective charts, graphs, and visual storytelling telling techniques

• Proficient with Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook