Risk and Controls Manager

Career Guide

A Risk and Controls Manager helps an organization identify what could go wrong, put practical controls in place, and ensure those controls are working. The role balances protecting the business with enabling teams to move quickly and safely, often partnering with finance, operations, technology, and compliance.

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Key Responsibilities

Build and maintain a risk and controls framework across key business processes
Lead risk assessments and document risks, controls, and control owners
Design new controls to reduce risk and improve consistency
Test controls and track evidence to confirm controls are operating effectively
Manage control issues by documenting gaps, driving remediation plans, and following up to closure
Create clear reporting for leaders on risk levels, control performance, and top issues
Support audits by preparing materials, answering questions, and coordinating responses
Train teams on control expectations and good operational practices
Monitor changes in the business and update controls to match new products, systems, or processes

Top Skills for Success

Risk Assessment

Control Design

Control Testing

Issue Management

Audit Management

Regulatory Awareness

Stakeholder Management

Clear Writing

Data Analysis

Process Mapping

Root Cause Analysis

Project Management

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Senior Risk and Controls Manager

Head of Controls

Operational Risk Lead

Risk Director

Internal Audit Manager Compliance Manager

Transition Opportunities

Enterprise Risk Manager Governance Manager Business Continuity Manager Fraud Risk Manager

Security Risk Manager

Third Party Risk Manager

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Control TestingEvidence ManagementIssue Remediation PlanningRisk ReportingProcess MappingTechnology ControlsData AnalysisExecutive Communication

Development SuggestionsStart by owning one end to end process area and fully documenting its risks, controls, and evidence. Practice writing short risk summaries for leaders. Build comfort with data by tracking control results and issue trends in a simple dashboard. Partner with technology teams to learn common technology control patterns and how they are tested.

Market Intelligence Report

Risk and Controls Manager is part of the Cybersecurity 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 LevelUSD 85,000 to 110,000

Mid LevelUSD 110,000 to 145,000

Senior LevelUSD 145,000 to 190,000

Growth Trend

Steady demand, supported by stronger regulatory expectations, increased audit scrutiny, more complex technology environments, and a focus on reducing operational losses.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

JPMorgan ChaseBank of AmericaCitigroupWells FargoGoldman SachsMorgan StanleyHSBCBarclaysAmerican ExpressVisaMastercardPayPalDeloittePwCEYKPMGAccenture

Industry Sectors

BankingInsurancePaymentsFinancial technologyHealthcareEnergyManufacturingRetailTechnologyConsulting

Recommended Next Steps

Create a portfolio with two anonymized examples of a risk assessment and a control test plan

Strengthen communication by writing one page risk updates that focus on decisions and next steps

Learn core audit and control methods through a recognized certification path

Build a repeatable approach for issue tracking, remediation follow up, and closure evidence

Network with internal audit, compliance, and operations leaders to understand where controls are most valued

Tailor your resume to show outcomes such as reduced incidents, faster audit closure, or stronger control coverage