Finance

Risk Manager Job Description

A free, fully customizable Risk Manager job description for 2026. Covers enterprise risk management, regulatory compliance, and GRC program ownership — ready to post in under five minutes.

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Job Description Template

Risk Manager About [Company Name] [Company Name] is a [industry]-focused organization operating across [geographies/business units]. We manage a complex risk landscape spanning [financial / operational / compliance / technology] risks, and we're building a world-class risk management function to protect and enable our strategic ambitions. Role Overview We are seeking an experienced Risk Manager to lead our enterprise risk management (ERM) program. You will identify, assess, and monitor risks across the organization, maintain our risk register, advise senior leadership on risk appetite, and ensure compliance with applicable regulatory frameworks. This role reports to the [CFO / Chief Risk Officer / VP Finance] and partners with Legal, Compliance, Finance, and Operations. Key Responsibilities • Own and maintain the enterprise risk register — identify emerging risks, assess likelihood and impact, and coordinate risk response plans with process owners • Design and operate risk assessment methodologies (qualitative and quantitative) aligned with [ISO 31000 / COSO ERM / Basel III] frameworks • Develop and maintain Key Risk Indicators (KRIs), monitor risk trends, and produce regular risk dashboards for leadership and the board risk committee • Support the annual risk assessment cycle, including scenario analysis, stress testing, and business continuity planning • Manage the GRC platform ([MetricStream / ServiceNow GRC / LogicGate]) and ensure risk data integrity and audit trail quality • Provide risk advisory to project teams, new initiatives, and M&A due diligence processes — embed risk thinking into strategic decision-making • Coordinate with Internal Audit, Compliance, and Legal to align risk coverage and avoid duplication of effort • Prepare and present risk reports to the Executive Committee and Board Risk Committee [quarterly/monthly] • Drive risk awareness training and build risk culture across business units • Track remediation of identified control gaps and escalate stalled items to leadership Qualifications • [5+] years of experience in risk management, internal audit, or a related finance/compliance function • Strong knowledge of risk frameworks: ISO 31000, COSO ERM, Basel III, or NIST (depending on industry) • Proficiency with GRC platforms and data analysis tools (Excel, SQL, Power BI) • Experience facilitating risk workshops and presenting to senior stakeholders • Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Economics, or a related field; Master's preferred • FRM (GARP), PRM (PRMIA), CRISC (ISACA), or equivalent certification preferred What We Offer • Base salary: $[X] – $[Y] • [Annual bonus / variable compensation structure] • [Equity / profit sharing details if applicable] • [Health, dental, vision benefits] • [Flexible / hybrid / remote work policy] • [Professional development budget for certifications and conferences] [Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

4 Ways to Customize This Template

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Name the regulatory frameworks

Basel III, DORA, ISO 31000, SOC 2, PCI-DSS — the applicable framework changes everything about who applies. Be specific to attract practitioners with the relevant regulatory background.

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Specify the GRC platform

Replace [MetricStream / ServiceNow GRC / LogicGate] with the actual platform your team uses. Candidates with direct platform experience ramp up significantly faster.

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Define the risk appetite context

Does your organization have a formal risk appetite statement? Is this role building the ERM program from scratch or maturing an existing one? This context attracts candidates at the right experience level.

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Clarify board reporting cadence

Experienced Risk Managers will ask about board risk committee structure and reporting cadence. Include this in the JD to signal organizational risk maturity and attract candidates who can operate at that level.

Risk Manager Salary Benchmarks (US, 2026)

Level Base Salary Range Typical Context
Risk Analyst / Associate $65,000 – $95,000 2–4 yrs exp, supports ERM program, risk register maintenance
Risk Manager $95,000 – $135,000 5–8 yrs exp, owns risk program, presents to leadership
Senior Risk Manager $130,000 – $165,000 8+ yrs, FRM/CRISC certified, financial services or complex ERM
Director of Risk / CRO $160,000 – $250,000+ Enterprise-wide risk ownership, board-level reporting, team management

Ranges represent US national base salary medians. Financial services and highly regulated industries (banking, insurance, fintech) pay at or above the top of these ranges.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a Risk Manager job description include?

Include the risk domains covered (credit, operational, compliance, technology), the regulatory frameworks applicable, reporting structure, risk committee involvement, tools used (GRC platforms, scenario modeling, VaR models), and any preferred certifications such as FRM, CRISC, or PRM.

What is a Risk Manager's salary in 2026?

US base salaries range from $95,000 to $165,000. Risk Managers at financial institutions, those holding FRM or CRISC certifications, and those with ERM program ownership responsibilities typically earn at the upper end of this range.

How do you attract strong Risk Managers?

Lead with the organization's risk maturity and the mandate for the role — whether building a risk function from scratch or optimizing an existing program. Strong Risk Managers want strategic authority, a supportive culture, and visibility to senior leadership rather than purely reactive compliance work.

How does an ATS help with Risk Manager hiring?

Treegarden helps screen for domain certifications (FRM, CRISC) and GRC platform experience, coordinate multi-stakeholder interview panels across finance, legal, and operations, and maintain a structured candidate evaluation pipeline so complex risk management hiring decisions are well-documented.

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