What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sr. Manager, Risk Policy & Programs position at Charles Schwab?
Your opportunity
At Schwab, you are 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.
Our Wealth & Advice Solutions (WAS) organization delivers industry-leading wealth management services to retail and RIA clients. This team drives Schwab’s wealth strategy through solutions like Schwab Wealth Advisory (SWA), Schwab Advisor Network (SAN), and a broad suite of investment products.
Within WAS, the Business Unit Risk team plays a critical role in governance, policy management, and regulatory initiatives—ensuring we deliver comprehensive advice services while effectively managing risk.
As a Senior Manager on the Risk Programs team, you’ll lead and evolve key risk initiatives across the WAS enterprise. You’ll collaborate with stakeholders across business units and risk functions (1LOD, 2LOD, 3LOD), applying a strategic lens to drive program excellence and operational resilience.
Key Responsibilities
To ensure that we have fulfilled our promise of "challenging the status quo," this role has specific qualifications that successful candidates should have.
Required Qualifications
At Schwab, you’re empowered to shape your future. We champion your growth through meaningful work, continuous learning, and a culture of trust and collaboration—so you can build the skills to make a lasting impact. Our Hybrid Work and Flexibility approach balances our ongoing commitment to workplace flexibility, serving our clients, and our strong belief in the value of being together in person on a regular basis.
We offer a competitive benefits package that takes care of the whole you – both today and in the future:
At Schwab, you are 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.
Our Wealth & Advice Solutions (WAS) organization delivers industry-leading wealth management services to retail and RIA clients. This team drives Schwab’s wealth strategy through solutions like Schwab Wealth Advisory (SWA), Schwab Advisor Network (SAN), and a broad suite of investment products.
Within WAS, the Business Unit Risk team plays a critical role in governance, policy management, and regulatory initiatives—ensuring we deliver comprehensive advice services while effectively managing risk.
As a Senior Manager on the Risk Programs team, you’ll lead and evolve key risk initiatives across the WAS enterprise. You’ll collaborate with stakeholders across business units and risk functions (1LOD, 2LOD, 3LOD), applying a strategic lens to drive program excellence and operational resilience.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic support for regulatory and operational risk management, including proactive identification of risks and controls, facilitation of testing activities, issue resolution, and ongoing operational oversight.
- Assume ownership and responsibility for designated risk programs, serving as program owner, point of contact, and/or subject matter expert, where appropriate
- Drive strategic evolution of various risk initiatives while applying a WAS-wide lens and integrating insights from risk events, issues, and test findings.
- Assess and implement changes stemming from corporate risk and business policies, ensuring alignment with enterprise standards.
- Partner across WAS to support regulatory and operational risk management, including control design, issue remediation, and oversight.
- Execute risk-related change management initiatives, including control updates and documentation.
- Develop business-guided resources and tools to support risk program adoption and understanding.
To ensure that we have fulfilled our promise of "challenging the status quo," this role has specific qualifications that successful candidates should have.
Required Qualifications
- 6 years of experience in risk management, controls, governance, or regulatory oversight within financial services.
- Experience maintaining and owning Business Unit risk processes and programs
- Familiarity with legal, compliance, and regulatory aspects of the financial services industry (e.g., broker-dealer, RIA)
- Ability to think conceptually and propose solutions that balance effective risk management and enable business evolution
- Strong strategic thinking and ability to connect the dots across functions and risk domains.
- Demonstrated ability to navigate technical, digital, and product-related processes, with a strong aptitude for learning quickly
- Outstanding written and verbal communication, time management, and organizational skills
- Excellent relationship management skills (negotiating, collaborating, influencing)
- Thrives in ambiguity; quickly adapts and excels in fast-paced, complex environments through continuous learning and proactive problem-solving.
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work autonomously
- Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and SharePoint
- Experience with MyGRC or similar risk and governance tools
- Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently
- Knowledge of Wealth & Advice Solutions organization a plus
At Schwab, you’re empowered to shape your future. We champion your growth through meaningful work, continuous learning, and a culture of trust and collaboration—so you can build the skills to make a lasting impact. Our Hybrid Work and Flexibility approach balances our ongoing commitment to workplace flexibility, serving our clients, and our strong belief in the value of being together in person on a regular basis.
We offer a competitive benefits package that takes care of the whole you – both today and in the future:
- 401(k) with company match and Employee stock purchase plan
- Paid time for vacation, volunteering, and 28-day sabbatical after every 5 years of service for eligible positions
- Paid parental leave and family building benefits
- Tuition reimbursement
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
