EP Wealth Advisors (EPWA) is a wealth management advisory firm with over $32.6 billion as of March 31, 2025, serving predominately high net worth individuals. EPWA fosters an inclusive environment that offers opportunities for our associates to learn, grow and enhance their skills to take on new challenges to progress in their professional careers.
Our office in Irvine, CA is hiring for a Director, Operational Risk. The Director, Operational Risk will be an experienced risk professional who can partner with the Managing Director, Compliance & Risk on the design of, and lead on a day-to-day basis the implementation of, a new Operational risk management and oversight program for EPWA. The primary focus of this position is to ensure operational risk and quality assurance processes are managed and regulatory and client risks are sufficiently mitigated in a timely manner in the context of a rapidly-growing SEC-registered investment adviser (there is no broker-dealer affiliate). This includes overseeing the identification, assessment, and management of operational risk across all areas of the firm’s business.
This role ensures the development and implementation of risk management strategies to protect the firm's assets, operations, reputation, and clients while working with the Compliance Department to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Director, Operational Risk will collaborate with senior leadership, the firm’s Risk Committee and departments to create a risk register, a culture of operational risk awareness, and effective mitigation strategies in line with the firm’s goals and risk tolerance. Initially this position will operate as an individual contributor, with the expectation is that a small dedicated risk team will be developed over time. You will join a team of dynamic, collaborative, and client-focused professionals who are focused on delivering on our founding core values: Integrity, Entrepreneurial, Inclusion and Connection.
Salary Range: $160,000 - $180,000 plus annual bonus
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Proactively identify and analyze portfolio and security level risks, with a strong focus on operational risk.
- Continuously validate multi-asset analytics to “trade-level” quality.
- Present key risks, concerns, and risk initiatives to the Risk Committee.
- Produce regular and ad-hoc reports with precision and attention to detail.
- Evaluate current risk management processes and optimize them for gaining efficiencies, improving scalability and reducing scope for errors.
- Escalate and collaborate with various stakeholders, including line management, fund managers, IT, operations, or system support as needed.
- Collaborate with other business areas to achieve their goals and contribute to efficiency creation.
- Develop, implement, and continuously improve the risk management framework to identify, assess, monitor, and mitigate risks in wealth management operations.
- Lead risk assessments for new products, services, business initiatives, and client portfolios.
- Establish risk tolerance levels aligned with business objectives, ensuring strategies are in place to manage these risks.
- Identify and evaluate financial, operational, regulatory, market, and reputational risks impacting the firm’s operational risks.
- Lead the development of risk models, quantitative analysis, and stress testing for the firm’s operational risks.
- Conduct periodic risk reviews and assessments to ensure risks are within acceptable limits.
- Develop and enforce internal policies and controls that mitigate regulatory risks.
- Coordinate with legal and compliance teams to ensure firm-wide regulatory compliance.
- Oversee the management of operational risks, including cyber security, fraud prevention, technology failures, and other internal processes.
- Establish risk mitigation procedures and controls for key operational functions, including trading, client reporting, and back-office operations.
- Evaluate the firm’s insurance coverage and adjust as necessary to mitigate potential financial loss.
- Implement systems for continuous risk monitoring, reporting, and client updates on significant risk events or changes.
- Prepare regular risk reports for the risk committee and senior leadership ensuring clarity and transparency regarding the firm’s operational risk position.
- Lead the presentation of risk metrics and updates to key stakeholders, ensuring an understanding of potential risks and mitigation strategies.
- Serve as the primary contact for internal and external audits related to risk management.
- Lead the development of business continuity and crisis management plans, ensuring the firm is prepared to respond to unexpected events and mitigate risks during a crisis.
- Actively monitor emerging risks and market events, assessing potential impact on wealth management services.
- Collaborate with senior leaders in various departments to integrate risk management practices into daily operations and business strategies.
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Risk Management, Business, or a related field.
- Master’s degree or professional certification is a plus.
- Minimum 7-10 years of experience in risk management within a registered investment advisory firm, asset management or wealth management firm is required.
- Knowledge of regulatory requirements, including (SEC, FINRA, Advisers Act of 1940, Securities and Exchange Act of 1934; Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act; and other relevant regulatory bodies).
- Experience in identifying, assessing, and mitigating financial, operational, and regulatory risks within a registered investment advisory firm, or wealth management firm.
- Proven track record of successfully managing risk frameworks and strategies within a registered investment advisory firm, or wealth management firm regulated environment.
- Strong understanding of risk models, risk assessment tools, and quantitative techniques.
- Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Strong leadership team building and team management skills.
What We Offer
We offer a highly competitive suite of holistic benefits designed to help our team members balance their personal and professional life commitments. These include options designed to encourage employee's health, happiness, and financial well-being.
- 11 Paid Holidays + 2 floating holidays
- 3 Weeks (PTO)
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Volunteer Time
- Flexible Work Schedule
- Highly subsidized Health, Dental, and Vision Plans
- 401k Retirement Account with company match contributions
- Free Mental Health services, Life Insurance, Long & Short-Term Disability Insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts
- Employee Financial Education
- Employee Educational Expense Reimbursement
- Employee Charitable Donations
- Employee Referral Incentives
- Employee Team Building Activities
- Employee Assistance Program
#LI-Hybrid
EPWA is an equal opportunity employer. Prospective employees will receive consideration without discrimination because of race, creed, color, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military and veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.
