A VP - Audit Manager, Third Parties, is a senior leadership role at the intersection of risk management, compliance, and strategic oversight. Professionals in these jobs are responsible for designing, implementing, and governing the framework that ensures an organization's external partnerships do not introduce unacceptable levels of risk. This is a critical function in today's interconnected business landscape, where reliance on vendors, suppliers, and service providers is ubiquitous. The role demands a unique blend of strategic vision, deep technical expertise, and influential leadership to protect the organization from financial, operational, reputational, and regulatory harm. Typically, the core responsibility of a VP - Audit Manager, Third Parties, is to establish and maintain a robust Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) program. This involves developing and enforcing global policies and standards that align with both industry best practices and evolving regulatory requirements. They lead the end-to-end risk management lifecycle for all third-party engagements, from initial due diligence and risk assessment during onboarding to continuous monitoring, performance reviews, and secure offboarding. A significant part of the role is to provide expert guidance and oversight to in-country or business-unit teams, ensuring consistent application of the TPRM framework across complex, often global, operations. Common day-to-day duties include conducting and overseeing deep-dive risk assessments, leading root cause analyses for third-party incidents, and developing corrective action plans. They are also tasked with proactively identifying control enhancements and process improvements to mature the TPRM program. A key aspect is stakeholder management; these professionals regularly interface with senior business leaders, compliance officers, operational risk teams, legal departments, and internal audit to provide transparency and ensure a cohesive risk culture. They often chair or present at risk committees, documenting and communicating risk posture and program effectiveness to executive management and the board. To excel in VP - Audit Manager, Third Parties jobs, candidates generally need over a decade of experience in risk management, audit, or compliance, with a substantial portion focused on third-party risk, often within highly regulated sectors like financial services or healthcare. In-depth knowledge of TPRM frameworks (e.g., ISO, NIST, OCC guidelines), risk assessment methodologies, and relevant regulations is essential. The role requires strong analytical skills to dissect complex risks and devise pragmatic solutions. Exceptional leadership, communication, and influencing skills are paramount, as the position involves collaborating with and guiding diverse teams without direct authority. A bachelor’s degree is typically required, with advanced degrees or professional certifications (e.g., CISA, CRISC, CTPRP) being highly valued. Ultimately, this profession is for strategic guardians who can balance policy enforcement with business enablement, safeguarding the organization while it grows through vital external partnerships.
