Explore high-impact VP, Third Party Risk Management jobs and lead the critical function of safeguarding organizations from external partner risks. A Vice President of Third Party Risk Management (TPRM) is a senior leadership role responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing the strategic framework that governs an organization's relationships with vendors, suppliers, and other external entities. This profession sits at the intersection of operational risk, compliance, and strategic sourcing, ensuring that third-party engagements do not introduce unacceptable levels of risk to the business. Professionals in these jobs are tasked with protecting the organization's reputation, financial health, and operational resilience by proactively managing risks across the entire third-party lifecycle. Typically, individuals in VP, Third Party Risk Management jobs hold ultimate accountability for the enterprise-wide TPRM program. Common responsibilities include establishing and enforcing global TPRM policies and standards aligned with industry best practices and evolving regulatory landscapes. They lead the end-to-end risk management process, from initial due diligence and risk assessments during onboarding to continuous monitoring, performance reviews, and offboarding of third parties. A key aspect of the role involves building a robust governance structure, which includes chairing or presenting at risk committees, documenting risk acceptances, and providing clear reporting to executive management and the board on key risk indicators and program effectiveness. Furthermore, VPs in this field are instrumental in incident management, leading root cause analyses of third-party failures and overseeing the implementation of corrective action plans. The skill set required for VP, Third Party Risk Management jobs is both broad and deep. Successful candidates typically possess over a decade of progressive experience in risk management, audit, compliance, or procurement, with substantial expertise in TPRM frameworks. A strong understanding of relevant regulations (such as OCC 2013-29, GDPR, or industry-specific rules) is essential. The role demands strategic vision coupled with practical execution skills—the ability to design a program while also diving into complex risk analyses. Exceptional leadership and influence skills are paramount, as the VP must collaborate with and guide stakeholders across business units, legal, compliance, IT security, and internal audit, often without direct authority. Strong communication skills are needed to articulate risk concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. A bachelor’s degree is standard, with advanced degrees or certifications like CRISC, CTPRP, or CISSP being highly valued. For seasoned risk leaders seeking to define enterprise strategy and build resilient supply chains, VP, Third Party Risk Management jobs offer a challenging and critically important career path at the highest levels of corporate governance.
