VP Risk and Compliance Operations

Career Guide

A VP of Risk and Compliance Operations leads the day-to-day execution of risk management and compliance programs across an organization. The role ensures policies are implemented consistently, controls are operating effectively, regulatory obligations are met, and issues are identified and resolved quickly. This leader partners closely with Legal, Finance, Security, Product, and Operations to reduce exposure while enabling responsible growth.

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Key Responsibilities

Set the operating model for risk and compliance programs across teams and regions
Translate regulatory requirements into practical policies, procedures, and controls
Oversee compliance operations such as monitoring, testing, and quality assurance
Lead risk assessments and maintain a clear view of enterprise risk priorities
Own issue management, including investigation, remediation tracking, and closure validation
Manage regulatory exams, audits, and internal reviews end to end
Establish reporting for leadership and the board, including key risk indicators
Build and lead teams covering compliance operations, risk operations, and control testing
Drive process improvement and automation to reduce manual effort and errors
Coordinate incident response for compliance related events and control failures
Manage third party risk operations, including due diligence and ongoing monitoring
Ensure training, communications, and accountability for policy adherence

Top Skills for Success

Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Executive Communication

Program Management

Process Improvement

Risk Assessment

Control Design

Control Testing

Issue Management

Regulatory Knowledge

Audit Management

Policy Development

Data Analysis

Operational Metrics

Vendor Risk Management

Compliance Monitoring

Training Program Development

Change Management

Governance

Operational Resilience

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Chief Risk Officer

Chief Compliance Officer

Head of Risk

Head of Compliance

VP Governance Risk and Compliance

VP Internal Audit

VP Operational Risk

SVP Risk and Compliance

Transition Opportunities

Chief Operating Officer

Head of Business Operations

Head of Trust and Safety

Head of Security Governance

Head of Enterprise Risk Management

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Automation StrategyControl Testing DesignRegulatory Exam ManagementRisk Data ManagementBoard ReportingThird Party Risk OversightOperational Resilience PlanningPolicy GovernancePeople Management at Scale

Development SuggestionsBuild a clear portfolio of outcomes such as reduced audit findings, faster remediation cycles, and improved control coverage. Strengthen data driven reporting, formalize a testing approach, and document a repeatable exam playbook. Seek stretch ownership of a multi region program and a measurable automation initiative.

Market Intelligence Report

VP Risk and Compliance Operations 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 Level$170,000 to $230,000 base pay

Mid Level$230,000 to $320,000 base pay

Senior Level$320,000 to $450,000 base pay

Growth Trend

Strong demand in regulated industries and high growth companies due to increased regulatory scrutiny, expansion into new markets, and heightened expectations for operational resilience.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

JPMorgan ChaseBank of AmericaWells FargoCitigroupGoldman SachsMorgan StanleyVisaMastercardPayPalBlockStripeCoinbaseUnitedHealth GroupCVS HealthAnthemAetnaPfizerJohnson and JohnsonAmazonGoogleMicrosoftSalesforce

Industry Sectors

BankingCapital MarketsInsurancePaymentsFinancial TechnologyHealthcarePharmaceuticalsEnergyTelecommunicationsTechnologyEcommerceManufacturing

Recommended Next Steps

Create a one page operating model that defines governance, controls, testing cadence, and escalation paths

Build a metrics dashboard plan with key risk indicators, remediation aging, and control coverage

Draft a regulatory exam and audit playbook covering evidence standards, owners, and timelines

Inventory top enterprise risks and map them to controls and monitoring routines

Identify two manual compliance workflows to automate and propose a phased delivery plan

Strengthen executive communication with a quarterly board ready risk narrative

Benchmark compensation and role scope against peers in the same industry and company size

Update your resume with measurable results such as audit outcomes, exam outcomes, and cycle time improvements