Director, Vendor Risk Management and T&E

Job Description

The Director of Vendor Risk Management and T&E is responsible for overseeing third‑party risk assessments and ensuring compliance with corporate travel and expense policies. This role supports enterprise risk mitigation by evaluating vendor relationships, monitoring contractual obligations, and ensuring adherence to regulatory standards. Additionally, the role manages the end‑to‑end travel and expense process, including policy enforcement, expense auditing, and system optimization to ensure cost efficiency and employee compliance.

• Maintain, develop and execute a holistic third‑party risk strategy and roadmap aligned with regulatory standards and industry best practices.
• Support regulatory & audit activities—prepare for and respond to regulatory examinations and internal audits; collaborate on risk appetite statements and regulatory reporting.
• Optimize third‑party risk management by enhancing governance frameworks, streamlining processes, and leveraging technology to improve efficiency. Partners with SMEs and business lines to implement best practices, deliver training, monitor key risk indicators, support regulatory exams and audits, and lead deployment of the Governance Risk and Compliance platform for full lifecycle management.
• Develop dashboards and presentations and provide periodic updates to various Risk Committees on the status of the third‑party risk management program.
• Provide appropriate guidance, advice and credible challenge to internal vendor relationship managers and vendors.
• Identify and communicate aggregated vendor risks to business lines throughout the organization.
• Update and document due diligence tracking with real‑time status and escalates issues and concerns (e.g., oversight deficiencies, program concerns, and open risk items).
• Oversee corporate travel programs, including booking platforms and preferred vendor relationships.
• Lead and contribute to developing the T&E program within the firm, creating policy and training support for employees on travel and expense policies.

• Ensure compliance with Northwest's policies and procedures, and Federal/State regulations.
• Navigate Microsoft Office software, computer applications, and software specific to the department to maximize technology tools and gain efficiency.
• Work as part of a team.
• Work with on‑site equipment.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business Finance, or related degree.
• Juris Doctor Degree.

• 8-12 years Banking, Legal, or Regulatory Experience.

• Understanding of contracts.
• Experience with regulators and regulatory matters.
• Experience with Risk and Control Self‑Assessments.
• Experience with Operational Risk Programs.
• Experience with Information Security and IT management.
• Able to communicate effectively to senior leadership.
• Experience with oversight of Risk and Control Self‑Assessment (RCSA) activities.
• Evaluating completeness of identified risks and controls, and assessment of adhering to program requirements.
• Knowledge and experience with operational risk management framework.

Northwest is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.