Freelance Operational Risk Manager Jobs in Colorado

Your Opportunity

Schwab remains committed to providing increased visibility to career growth opportunities and job requirements. This posting announcement is part of increased transparency and while all qualified applicants will be reviewed and considered, this organization has a preferred candidate identified for this role.

Enterprise and Operational Risk Management (EORM) is part of the Corporate Risk Management (CRM) department that forms the second line of defense at Charles Schwab. EORM enables The Charles Schwab Corporation's (CSC) purpose and vision by governing and continually improving enterprise and operational risk programs, including effectively challenging business processes to increase understanding and awareness of enterprise and operational risks and improve related risk-based decision making.

Within EORM, the Operational Risk Liaison (ORL) Team provides risk intelligence through consultation and effective challenge to improve operational risk practices.

This position serves as the primary Operational Risk Liaison for Schwab's Digital Assets activities, providing enterprise-wide risk oversight, consultation, and effective challenge across multiple business, operations, technology, and governance functions. The role requires strong leadership and collaboration skills to drive alignment among diverse stakeholders, influence decision-making, and facilitate risk-informed outcomes across Digital Assets products, processes, and supporting operations.

The incumbent will demonstrate intellectual curiosity and personal accountability for developing expertise in digital assets, partner closely with business leaders, operational teams, technology partners, and Operational Risk leadership to identify key operational risks, evaluate emerging risks, conduct risk assessments, oversee risk events and issues, challenge Risk & Control Self-Assessments (RCSAs), and provide risk intelligence that strengthens the overall Digital Assets risk environment across Schwab.

Success in this role requires the ability to influence without direct ownership, build strong partnerships across organizational boundaries, and drive alignment among senior stakeholders to support effective risk management of Digital Assets across Schwab.

• Serve as the primary risk liaison for Digital Assets by coordinating, influencing, and building alignment across a diverse set of stakeholders, including business, operations, governance, EORM, and other second-line risk partners to support consistent and effective risk management practices.
• Proactively develop and maintain expertise across the spectrum of digital asset activities, including emerging technologies, products, market structures, and associated operational risks, demonstrating the ability to identify evolving risk exposures and provide informed, risk-based guidance to stakeholders.
• Lead cross-functional discussions and facilitate consensus among stakeholders with differing priorities, driving risk-informed decisions and advancing initiatives in a highly matrixed environment.
• Provide independent oversight, consultation, and effective challenge of business-led initiatives, product enhancements, and new Digital Asset offerings, ensuring operational risk considerations are appropriately identified, assessed, and addressed throughout implementation.
• Provide support and mentorship to business partners to ensure adherence to the Operational Risk framework elements and policy requirements
• Oversee and challenge the design, implementation, and maintenance of business processes and controls to manage relevant risks
• Oversee the identification and remediation of operational risk issues in accordance with framework requirements
• Analyze and oversee the operational risk data for use in risk identification, assessment and monitoring operational risk activities
• Provide guidance, oversight and challenge of Digital Asset risk metrics
• Monitor and assess emerging risks, industry trends, and operational risk exposures related to Digital Assets

What you are good at:

• Influencing and driving outcomes in a highly matrixed environment through partnership, credibility, and strong relationship management
• Building consensus among stakeholders with competing priorities while maintaining an enterprise perspective
• Demonstrating executive presence and confidence when providing effective challenge and communicating risk-related recommendation
• Navigating ambiguity and emerging business activities while demonstrating agility in managing multiple priorities that vary in scope and complexity simultaneously with a strong attention to detail
• Exercising judgment with strong analytical and risk assessment skills
• Having the ability to earn the trust of key stakeholders; set direction and approach; resolve conflict; ask tough questions and deliver tough messages in a professional and diplomatic manner; and implement with limited information
• Prioritizing effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrating excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to explain complex concepts to stakeholders and articulate insights and recommendations
• Excelling in interpersonal and relationship skills

What you have

What you have:

• Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives involving multiple business and operational stakeholders
• Expertise in risk management and governance principles, methodologies, and tools in a brokerage or bank operations environment
• Independent judgment with strong analytical and risk assessment skills
• Ability to think strategically and holistically across the Firm and risk verticals
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability in communicating with upper levels of management
• Strong interpersonal skills / ability to forge strong relationships with peers in business unit and central risk management group
• Self-motivated, able to bring projects and reporting to conclusion
• Undergraduate degree required
• 7+ years of experience in risk management, governance, or similar role

What's in it for you

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