First Line of Defense Risk Manager

Since 1973, East West Bank has served as a pathway to success. With over 120 locations across the U.S. and Asia, we are the premier financial bridge between the East and West. Our teams of experienced, multi-cultural professionals help guide businesses and community members on both sides of the Pacific looking to explore new markets and create new opportunities, and our sustained growth and expertise in industries like real estate, entertainment and media, private equity and venture capital, and high-tech help build sustainable businesses and expand our associates’ potential for career advancement.

Headquartered in California, East West Bank (Nasdaq: EWBC) is a top performing commercial bank with an exclusive focus on the U.S. and Greater China markets. With a strong foundation, and enterprising spirit and a commitment to absolute integrity, East West Bank gives people the confidence to reach further.

The First Line of Defense Risk Manager will work within the Bank’s first line of defense function and will be responsible for designing and implementing the first line of defense risk management program.  The Manager will be responsible for working with first line of defense testers and providing training to the first line testing team to conduct consistent and effective testing of control design and effectiveness, reporting, and tracking of results and remediation plans.

This role will require an individual with in-depth knowledge of the Bank’s policies, guidelines, and practices; exceptional relationship management; communication and influencing skills at all levels; a strong focus on execution; defining and implementing a sound first line testing and risk management program.

• Responsible for building and leading a new team to perform first line testing of controls that evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of the first line’s key controls.
• Develop and provide internal controls training to team members and development activities, including Bank-wide and targeted training to support continuous improvements of the first line testing program and to elevate controls management capabilities.
• Support the development of Risk and Controls Self-Assessment (RCSA) control testing frameworks and methodologies.
• Support the effective challenge of RCSAs completed by First Line managers and making updates as needed.
• Create and memorialize detailed control testing documentation and review commentary.
• Manage and coordinate all risk activities to ensure material/key risks are identified, escalated, managed, tracked, and remediated timely.
• Analyze, aggregate, and articulate the results/issues/recommendations related to control testing activities to senior management, management committees and/or executives.
• Assist with the validation and closure of control issues as identified through testing results.
• Act as central point of contact for the first line and building a strong working relationship with all business units, including second line (e.g., ERM and Corporate Compliance) and third line (e.g., Internal Audit)

• In-depth experience with risk and control identification, designing, planning, implementing, and testing RCSAs and effectively managing a testing/audit/RCSA program.
• Strong knowledge of banking operations, products, and services; experience with risks and controls/control gap identification related to Loan Operations, Credit Supervision, Payment Fraud and Digital Banking is a big plus.
• Experience with development of Key Risk Indicators for the First Line level is a plus.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with strong influential skills
• Strong management skills to execute on an evolving first line of defense risk management program, including the identification, communication, reporting, escalation, and validation of RCSA test results and remediation efforts.
• Knowledge of applicable regulatory and legal compliance obligations, rules and regulations, industry standards, practices, and expectations for regional/large bank
• Must have excellent written, verbal, organizational, and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to effectively manage multiple deliverables and be able to identify and implement process improvements.
• A strong working knowledge of MS Office Software Suite (Word, Excel, Access, PPT, Visio)
• Knowledge of and understanding of federal and state laws applicable to EWB.
• Professional/ Industry Accredited Risk Management certification (e.g., CIA, PRM, CRMP) is a big plus.