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Operational Risk Management Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

XL Industries Inc

Risk Manager

Oakland, CA · On-site

This position regularly interacts with operations staff, teams and projects, departments, risk management staff as well as XLI leadership. Building relationships and being a trusted advisor are ...

XL Industries Inc

Risk Manager

Milpitas, CA · On-site

This position regularly interacts with operations staff, teams and projects, departments, risk management staff as well as XLI leadership. Building relationships and being a trusted advisor are ...

XL Industries Inc

Risk Manager

Milpitas, CA · On-site

This position regularly interacts with operations staff, teams and projects, departments, risk management staff as well as XLI leadership. Building relationships and being a trusted advisor are ...

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All JobsOperational Risk Management JobsOperational Risk Management Jobs in California

Operational Risk Management information

See California salary details

$46.4K

$119.1K

$233.9K

How much do operational risk management jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for operational risk management in California is $119,125.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,500.00 and $156,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an operational risk manager do?

An operational risk manager identifies, assesses, and monitors risks that could disrupt a company's operations, such as process failures, fraud, or system outages. They develop strategies to mitigate these risks, often using risk management tools and frameworks, and ensure compliance with regulations. Their role involves analyzing data, implementing controls, and working with various departments to minimize operational losses.

What is the highest paying risk management job?

The highest paying risk management roles are often senior positions such as Chief Risk Officer (CRO) or Director of Risk Management, with salaries exceeding $200,000 annually. These roles require extensive experience, advanced certifications like FRM or PRM, and strong leadership skills in overseeing enterprise-wide risk strategies.

Is risk management a good career?

Operational risk management is a valuable career that involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks within organizations to ensure stability and compliance. It often requires strong analytical skills, knowledge of industry regulations, and certifications such as FRM or ORM. The field offers opportunities for advancement and is essential across various industries, including finance, healthcare, and manufacturing.

What is the difference between Operational Risk Management vs Risk Analyst?

AspectOperational Risk ManagementRisk Analyst
CredentialsCertifications like FRM, CRM, or RIMS; relevant degrees in finance, risk management, or businessSimilar certifications; degrees in finance, economics, or related fields
Work EnvironmentCorporate offices, financial institutions, or industries with risk management departmentsFinancial firms, consulting agencies, or corporate risk teams
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across banking, insurance, and large corporations to manage operational risksCommonly employed in finance, insurance, and consulting to analyze risk data

Operational Risk Management focuses on identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks related to daily business operations. Risk Analysts analyze data to evaluate potential risks and support decision-making. While both roles require similar credentials and work environments, Operational Risk Managers oversee comprehensive risk strategies, whereas Risk Analysts focus on data analysis and risk assessment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Operational Risk Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Operational Risk Manager, you need strong analytical abilities, knowledge of risk assessment frameworks, and typically a degree in finance, business, or a related field. Familiarity with risk management software, regulatory compliance systems, and certifications like FRM or ORM are commonly required. Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills help you influence business processes and foster a risk-aware culture. These skills ensure the effective identification, mitigation, and communication of risks, safeguarding organizational assets and compliance.

What is the highest salary for a risk manager?

The highest salary for a risk manager can exceed $150,000 annually, especially for those with extensive experience, advanced certifications like FRM or CFA, and leadership roles in large organizations. Senior risk managers or directors in financial services or multinational corporations often earn the top-tier salaries in this field.

What is operational risk management?

Operational risk management is the process of identifying, assessing, and controlling risks that arise from an organization’s day-to-day operations. These risks can include system failures, human errors, fraud, or external events that could disrupt business processes. Effective operational risk management helps organizations minimize losses and ensure business continuity by implementing controls, monitoring processes, and developing contingency plans. It is an essential component of overall risk management in industries such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing.

What are common challenges faced by professionals in Operational Risk Management, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Operational Risk Management often face challenges such as identifying emerging risks, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering a risk-aware culture across departments. These challenges can be addressed by staying updated on industry regulations, implementing robust risk assessment tools, and promoting open communication with business units. Regular training and collaboration with other risk management functions also help in proactively managing potential operational threats and ensuring organizational resilience.
What are popular job titles related to Operational Risk Management jobs in California? For Operational Risk Management jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Operational Risk Management jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Operational Risk Management jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Operational Risk Management jobs? Cities in California with the most Operational Risk Management job openings:
Operational Risk Management jobs near you
Infographic showing various Operational Risk Management job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,125 per year, or $57.3 per hour.

VP, Operational Risk Business Partner - Risk Management

Cathay Bank

El Monte, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 23 days ago

Job description

People Drive Our Success
Are you enthusiastic, highly motivated, and have a strong work ethic? If yes, come join our team! At Cathay Bank - we strive to provide a caring culture that supports your aspirations and success. We believe people are our most valuable asset, and we proudly foster growth and development empowering you to achieve your professional goals. We have thrived for 60 years and persevered through many economic cycles due to our team members' drive and optimism. Together we can make a difference in the financial future of our communities.
Apply today!
What our team members are saying:
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Learn more about us at cathaybank.com
GENERAL SUMMARY
The Operational Risk Business Partner (ORBP) is part of our Second Line of Defense (2LOD) Operational Risk Management (ORM) function. ORBP will serve as a pivotal partner to front-line risk managers and business units in designing, executing, and maturing the bank's Risk and Control Self-Assessment (RCSA) program. ORBP will provide expert challenge, guidance, and subject-matter expertise to ensure robust risk identification, assessment, monitoring, and reporting. ORBP will collaborate with second-line SMEs to translate risk insights into actionable improvements, contribute to the development of key risk indicators (KRIs), and drive risk culture and training across divisions. This is an individual contributor role focused on delivering results through advice, governance, and expert guidance rather than direct team management.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Lead and coordinate the annual end to end and ongoing RCSA process with front-line risk managers across business units.
  • Provide independent oversight of operational risk management activities performed by the First Line of Defense.
  • Provide strong, constructive challenge to ensure comprehensive risk and control identification, assessment, and documentation. Validate risk ratings, control effectiveness, residual risk levels, and action plans; ensure consistency with policy standards and escalation thresholds. Review and approve risk and control narratives, risk taxonomy alignment, and control owner accountability.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to business unit risk champions and process owners, offering expert guidance on risk controls, control design, and risk acceptance criteria. Facilitate risk workshops, interviews, and scenario analysis to surface emerging risks and ensure timely remediation. Facilitate constructive dialogue between 1LOD and risk governance functions.
  • Lead the development, validation, and enhancement of the bank's Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) in partnership with owners and SMEs. Monitor KRI performance, perform trend analysis, and recommend risk-reduction actions or escalation when indicators breach thresholds. Integrate KRI results into governance forums and reporting to senior management and risk committees.
  • Design and deliver risk training programs, workshops, and communications to enhance risk awareness and control practices across divisions. Develop practical guidance, playbooks, and toolkits to standardize risk assessment methodologies and control testing approaches.
  • Collaborate with second-line SMEs (e.g., IT, cyber, information security, business continuity, model risk, compliance) to incorporate their assessments into the RCSA and KRIs. Translate SME findings into actionable risk actions, monitoring plans, and escalation paths.
  • Support the development and maintenance of risk libraries, control dictionaries, and standard risk assessment criteria.
  • Prepare and present risk and control status, themes, and remediation progress to risk committees, governance forums, and senior leadership.
  • Maintain issue and remediation tracking, ensuring timely closure and evidence of control improvements by conducting validation of all remediation plans by 1LOD.
  • Contribute to policy interpretation, standards, and procedures related to operational risk and RCSA practices.
  • Maintain high-quality RCSA documentation, control catalogs, and risk registers in the risk management systems.
  • Support New Product and services launch risk assessments.
  • Perform data-driven analyses to identify patterns, gaps, and opportunities for risk reduction.
  • Identify opportunities to enhance RCSA efficiency, consistency, and effectiveness through process improvements, automation, and technology solutions.
  • Participate in GRC system enhancement projects and user acceptance testing for risks systems.
  • Promote a strong risk culture by driving accountability, constructive challenge, and timely escalation of issues.
  • Stay current on regulatory expectations, industry.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
  • Bachelor's degree in Finance, Risk Management, Business Administration, or related discipline (Master's preferred)

Experience:
  • Minimum 5-7 years of experience in operational risk, RCSA, incident and issue management, internal controls, or audit within financial services or a similarly regulated industry.
  • Demonstrated ability to challenge front-line risk managers and influence risk-based decision making without direct line authority.
  • Prior experience as a second-line risk professional or risk partner with cross-functional collaboration across IT, cyber, information security, business continuity, compliance, and operations.
  • Deep understanding of first line processes and risk/control activities.

Skills/Ability:
  • Understanding of operational risk management principles, frameworks, and methodologies within the financial services industry. This includes knowledge of regulatory requirements (such as Basel III) and industry's best practices.
  • Knowledge of operational risk frameworks (e.g., Basel, ORMF), internal control standards, and incident management tools.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to interpret data and identify trends.
  • Strong analytical thinking and attention to detail.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
  • Ability to synthetize complex information into clear, actionable insights.
  • Attention to detail and a proactive mindset, ability to work under tight deadlines.
  • Collaborative mindset with a proactive attitude towards problem-solving.

OTHER DETAILS
$110K - $133K / year
Pay determined based on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and location.
This position may be eligible for a discretionary bonus.
Cathay Bank offers its full-time employees a competitive benefits package which is a significant part of their total compensation. It is our goal to provide employees with a comprehensive benefits package to fit their needs which includes, coverage for medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts (FSAs), health saving account (HSA) with company contributions, voluntary coverages, and 401(k).
Cathay Bank may collect personal information from potential job candidates and applicants. For more information on how we handle personal information and your applicable rights, please review our California Job Applicant Privacy Policy.
Cathay Bank is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We welcome applications for employment from all qualified candidates, regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship, gender, national origin, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy and related medical conditions, childbirth and breastfeeding), reproductive health decision-making, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information or characteristics, disability or medical condition, military status or status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable law.
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Cathay Bank endeavors to make www.CathayBank.com accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact, Mickey Hsu, FVP, Employee Relations Manager, at (626) 582-7370 or mickey.hsu@cathaybank.com. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
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This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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