Independent Testing Manager

About the Role

Wells Fargo is seeking a highly skilled Independent Testing Manager to join our COO (Chief Operating Office) Independent Testing & Validation (IT&V) group. The ITV team is responsible for developing and designing methodologies and standards for review activities across the Enterprise in alignment with the Risk Management Framework. As an Independent Testing Manager, you will ensure effective and appropriate testing, validation, and documentation of review activities for risk programs, risks, and controls according to standards and other applicable policies.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a team of managers in cross-functional teams to accomplish goals and priorities
• Develop and design methodologies and standards for review activities across the Enterprise in alignment with the Risk Management Framework
• Ensure effective and appropriate testing, validation, and documentation of review activities for risk programs, risks, and controls according to standards and other applicable policies
• Develop, maintain, and execute the Annual Plan
• Assess, document, and communicate emerging risks, themes, and identified issues to leadership and risk partners in a timely manner
• Ensure issues are identified and documented
• Identify potential corrective actions and follow through on reporting, escalation, and resolution
• Perform moderate to high-risk quality reviews
• Lead implementation of complex and strategic initiatives with moderate risk and complexity
• Ensure plans include targeted reviews based on risk and meet internal past due benchmarks
• Lead moderate to high-risk or complexity review activity engagements
• Escalate any critical or high-risk issues to appropriate leadership
• Manage communication and collaboration with business heads, Legal, Audit, and regulators on risk-related topics
• Provide status updates to key stakeholders on programs and specific reviews where warranted
• Manage allocation of people and financial resources for Independent Testing
• Mentor and guide talent development of direct reports and assist in hiring talent
• Manage a team of Individual Contributors in accomplishing Independent Testing & Validation (IT&V) goals and priorities
• Manage a team of Associate Managers, Officers, and/or Specialists-Sr. Specialists or cross-functional teams in accomplishing goals and priorities
• Lead moderate to high-risk or complex review activity engagements. Perform moderate to high-risk quality reviews.
• Lead complex initiatives executing moderate to high-risk or complex review activities and engagements in a matrixed environment
• Communicate emerging risks with broad impact and act as a key participant in large-scale planning for Independent Testing
• Review and research complex development and design of methodologies and standards for review activities companywide in alignment with the risk management framework
• Assess, document, and communicate risks, themes, and identified issues, arising out of Technology reviews, to leadership and risk partners in a timely manner. Provide status updates to key stakeholders on programs and specific reviews where warranted.
• Make decisions in complex situations requiring a solid understanding of risk management framework and the risk and control environment that influence and lead enterprise testing to meet deliverables and drive new initiatives
• Collaborate and consult with Audit, Legal, external agencies, regulatory bodies, and stakeholders to resolve risk-related topics
• Lead project teams and mentor individuals

Requirements

• 4+ years of experience in Independent Testing experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education
• 2+ years of Leadership experience

Desired Qualifications

• Strong experience in Control testing, Process Reviews, Internal Audit/External Audit, risk-based testing, and risk management (includes control testing, compliance, operational risk, internal audit, business process management)
• Strong fundamentals and Risk knowledge of conducting end-to-end Reviews/audits/control testing
• Strong people management experience with strong people management skills
• Banking, Financial Services, Big 4 audit Firms experience preferred
• Ability to think critically, out of the box with a forward-looking approach and apply the risk fundamentals to unstructured scenarios
• Ability to obtain data and validate for integrity that is used for Reviews/Engagements
• Familiar with considering a broad range of issues in making decisions and holds oneself accountable for delivering on commitments and renegotiating when needed
• Proficiently balances tasks and concerns for people's needs
• Familiar with building constructive and effective relationships
• Familiar with leading and challenging others to improve the organization
• Is the subject matter expert on testing topics (especially Technology-based testing), risk types, line of business process walkthroughs, test results, quality assurance, researching, and issue identification
• Can expertly evaluate both the adequacy and effectiveness of policies, procedures, processes, systems, and internal controls, while analyzing business and/or systems changes to determine impact
• Ability to effectively listen and elicit information
• Experience leading, training, and providing feedback to staff and corresponding managers
• Strong stakeholder management experience
• Ability to exercise independent judgment to identify and resolve problems
• Time management skills and ability to meet deadlines coupled with experience renegotiating timelines when needed
• Proficiency with risk types, methodologies, and frameworks for evaluating or testing controls and assessing results, conducting research, and identifying control deficiencies
• Experience in assessing risk, reviewing risk ratings, and identifying control deficiencies
• Risk management experience with demonstrated leadership skills and ability to drive improvements
• Proficient at influencing and consulting strategically across a large organization and with various levels of leadership/stakeholders
• Experience communicating in both written and verbal formats with senior executive-level leaders
• Balance strong, innovative problem-solving skills with the practical ability to implement workable solutions to problems in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Experience of working across one or more geographic territories or regions
• Experience at Big Four/super regional public accounting firm with experience in business process, regulatory, audit, and/or advisory/consulting services and/or Financial Services industry
• Demonstrated success with influencing business units to identify, formulate, and implement processes/procedures to mitigate risk
• Demonstrated negotiation skills, especially with difficult topics when partnering with lines of business and other key stakeholders. This includes the willingness and ability to question decisions, understand direction, and escalate issues where necessary
• One or more of the following certifications:

We Value Diversity

At Wells Fargo, we believe in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace; accordingly, we welcome applications for employment from all qualified candidates, regardless of race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, individuals with disabilities, pregnancy, marital status, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable law.