Explore Vice President jobs in 1st Line Controls Testing within Markets, Banking & Client divisions, a senior role at the heart of financial integrity and operational resilience. Professionals in this career path act as the first line of defense, responsible for designing, executing, and overseeing the control framework that manages risk directly within revenue-generating and client-facing business units. Unlike internal audit, which provides independent third-line assurance, these leaders are embedded within the business, ensuring that day-to-day activities comply with internal policies and external regulations, thereby protecting the firm and its clients. The typical responsibilities for a Vice President in this field are extensive and critical. They involve proactively identifying and assessing operational, regulatory, and reputational risks inherent in trading, sales, and banking activities. A core function is the development and implementation of a robust controls testing program, which includes creating detailed testing scripts, sampling transactions, and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of key controls. These professionals analyze test results to identify control deficiencies, document findings, and work collaboratively with business leaders to develop and track remedial action plans. Furthermore, they are tasked with monitoring key risk indicators, reporting control metrics and issues to senior management, and fostering a strong culture of risk awareness and compliance among front-office staff. They often serve as the primary liaison for second-line risk and compliance teams as well as external regulators during examinations. To secure one of these demanding Vice President jobs, candidates typically require a bachelor's degree in finance, business, or a related field, with an advanced degree or professional certification (e.g., CFA, FRM) being highly advantageous. A minimum of 7-10 years of experience in risk management, controls testing, internal audit, or a front-office role within a markets or banking environment is standard. Essential skills include a deep understanding of financial products (equities, fixed income, derivatives), associated regulations (e.g., MiFID II, Dodd-Frank), and the trade lifecycle. Success in this role demands exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities, meticulous attention to detail, and strong communication skills to articulate complex risk concepts to traders and senior executives alike. These jobs are ideal for strategic thinkers who can balance risk mitigation with commercial objectives, making them pivotal guardians of financial stability and client trust in a dynamic global marketplace.
