Enterprise Risk Management Director

Career Guide

An Enterprise Risk Management Director leads the organization-wide approach to identifying, prioritizing, and reducing risks that could affect strategy, operations, finances, compliance, and reputation. The role partners with executives and business leaders to build a clear view of top risks, set guardrails, and improve decision making.

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Key Responsibilities

Set the enterprise risk management strategy and annual plan
Maintain the enterprise risk register and risk heat map
Lead risk assessments across business units and corporate functions
Define risk appetite statements and risk tolerance limits
Design and monitor key risk indicators
Coordinate risk reporting for executive leadership and the board
Partner with internal audit, compliance, legal, and security teams
Oversee risk governance forums and escalation paths
Review major initiatives for risk exposure and control plans
Lead incident and issue management for high-impact risk events
Drive risk culture initiatives and training
Support crisis management and business continuity planning

Top Skills for Success

Risk Assessment

Risk Prioritization

Risk Reporting

Risk Appetite Setting

Control Design

Control Testing Oversight

Executive Communication

Stakeholder Management

Influence Without Authority

Program Management

Data Literacy

Scenario Planning

Regulatory Awareness

Third Party Risk Management

Cyber Risk Fundamentals

Business Continuity Planning

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Chief Risk Officer

Vice President of Enterprise Risk Management

Head of Risk Governance

Head of Operational Risk

Director of Risk and Compliance

Transition Opportunities

Internal Audit Executive

Chief Compliance Officer Chief Information Security Officer Chief Operating Officer Strategy Director

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Board ReportingRisk QuantificationKey Risk Indicator DesignThird Party Risk ManagementCyber Risk FundamentalsChange ManagementFacilitation

Development SuggestionsBuild a portfolio of clear board-ready risk reports, practice translating technical risk into business impact, and lead at least one cross-functional risk program from assessment through sustained monitoring. Strengthen comfort with risk metrics, vendor oversight, and cyber risk basics through targeted training and partnership with subject matter experts.

Market Intelligence Report

Enterprise Risk Management Director is part of the Risk Management category.Explore our market intelligence report to see how AI and hiring demand are shifting for these roles.

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Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry LevelTypically not an entry-level role

Mid LevelUS typical base pay range: 160,000 to 220,000

Senior LevelUS typical base pay range: 220,000 to 300,000 plus bonus or equity

Growth Trend

Steady demand, with higher hiring in financial services, healthcare, technology, and regulated industries due to stronger governance expectations and increasing operational and cyber risk.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

JPMorgan ChaseBank of AmericaWells FargoCitigroupGoldman SachsMorgan StanleyUnitedHealth GroupCVS HealthKaiser PermanenteAmazonMicrosoftAlphabetWalmartExxonMobilBoeing

Industry Sectors

BankingInsuranceAsset ManagementHealthcarePharmaceuticalsTechnologyRetailManufacturingEnergyTelecommunicationsGovernment Contractors

Recommended Next Steps

Benchmark your organization against a recognized enterprise risk management framework and document gaps

Create a simple top risks dashboard with owners, indicators, and action plans

Schedule stakeholder interviews across key business leaders to refresh the top risks view

Run a tabletop exercise for a high-impact scenario and capture improvements

Align risk appetite statements to strategic goals and operating plans

Draft a quarterly board risk update with consistent metrics and trend insights

Identify one high-priority risk and deliver a measurable reduction plan within 90 days