Director, Partner Risk & Control Strategy

We’re looking for talented professionals to join us in bringing smart money management and payment solutions to everyone’s fingertips.

This position is classified as structured hybrid, with an expectation of three (3) days per week working in the office and flexibility to work remotely on the remaining days. On-site expectations may evolve over time to support business needs, with clear communication provided in advance.

<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>

JOB DESCRIPTION

Location Requirement

This position is open only to candidates who can work in one of the following approved locations:

Los Angeles (West LA office); San Francisco (SoMa office); or Tampa, FL (Westshore District office)

Job Summary

Green Dot is seeking a Director, Partner Risk & Controls Strategy to serve as the company's senior-most individual contributor expert in Embedded Finance (EF) partner risk oversight. Aligned to Green Dot's Career Framework at the Director (M5) level  this role shapes enterprise strategy for how Green Dot grows its EF partner ecosystem safely, advises the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) on partner risk and growth trade-offs, and serves as Green Dot's external spokesperson on EF partner oversight with regulators, bank partners, and the industry.

The scope of this role spans Green Dot's Embedded Finance portfolio — including Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) and GDN partners — and its outcomes impact multiple functions across the enterprise. The Director defines the multi-year EF partner oversight strategy and works across the  enterprise to help define, operationalize, and enforce first-line controls. This is an enterprise-impact individual contributor role for a recognized thought leader who can shape company objectives, anticipate emerging risk across the bank-fintech landscape, and represent Green Dot credibly to executives, regulators, partners, and industry peers.

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Partner Risk Strategy & Executive Advisory

- Define and own the multi-year enterprise strategy for Embedded Finance partner risk oversight, aligned to Green Dot's growth objectives, risk appetite, and regulatory commitments.

- Serve as a key advisor to the ELT on partner risk and growth trade-offs, including partner launch, expansion, remediation, and exit decisions.

- Contribute to the development of company objectives and principles related to partner growth, safety and soundness, and the operating model for bank-fintech partnerships.

- Quantify enterprise partner risk exposure and translate complex, ambiguous risk issues into clear strategic recommendations for executive and board-level audiences.

Enterprise Controls Standards & Operating Model

- Set the enterprise first-line controls standards for EF partner programs, adopted across Embedded Finance, Risk, Compliance, and Third-Party Risk Management.

- Design the target operating model for scalable partner oversight, including the partner lifecycle controls standard from pre-launch readiness through ongoing oversight, escalation, change management, remediation, and exit.

- Establish the EF partner risk scorecard framework — KPIs, Key Operational Metrics (KOMs), and key risk indicators — used to measure, compare, and govern EF partner performance across the company.

- Recommend and implement changes to business and technical processes that address complex, cross-functional risk issues and enable the partner portfolio to scale without a proportional increase in risk or oversight cost.

Regulatory Leadership & External Representation

- Lead enterprise-level regulatory commitments related to EF partner oversight, including Management Action Plans (MAPs) and closure criteria that address root causes and strengthen the long-term control environment.

- Represent Green Dot in industry forums, peer bank and fintech working groups, and regulatory dialogue; build Green Dot's reputation as a leader in responsible embedded finance.

- Set partner remediation expectations with executive partner leadership and escalate to the ELT where partner performance presents enterprise risk.

Research, Innovation & Future-State Design

- Research emerging practices, technologies, and regulatory developments in BaaS, fintech, and third-party risk across industries, and use those insights to shape company strategy.

- Identify potential problems across disciplines before they emerge and design preventative solutions aligned with strategic goals.

- Lead the EF roadmap for automated control monitoring, partner data integration, and real-time risk indicators across the partner portfolio.

Cross-Functional Program Leadership

- Build and lead cross-functional program teams on enterprise EF partner risk initiatives, influencing decisions and outcomes across Embedded Finance, Risk, Compliance, Legal, Finance, Technology, and external partners.

- Provide regular expert advice and direction to managers, directors, and executives on partner risk and controls matters.

- Set and model high standards for effective collaboration, rigor, and accountability across groups.

Required Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in Finance, Risk Management, Business, or a related field preferred.

- 8+ years of progressive experience in risk management, compliance, business controls, banking operations, or financial services; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Enterprise-level ownership of first-line controls, third-party risk, or partner oversight programs spanning multiple business lines, products, or partners.

- Demonstrated experience serving as a primary point of contact with bank regulators (including the OCC and/or Federal Reserve), leading regulatory exams, and managing enterprise regulatory commitments.

- Experienced in designing and scaling controls infrastructure — testing plans, scorecards, monitoring cadences, and reporting frameworks — across multiple business lines, products, or third-party partners in complex, matrixed organizations.

- Proven track record advising executive leadership and boards on risk strategy and growth trade-offs.

- Strong financial acumen, with experience linking portfolio financial metrics (e.g., GDV, purchase volume, customer acquisition, transaction growth) to risk appetite and strategic decisions.

- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex risk topics clearly to executives, regulators, boards, and partner leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

- Senior experience within a Banking-as-a-Service, Embedded Finance, or bank-fintech partnership environment.

- Experience designing or transforming a partner oversight or third-party risk operating model at scale.

** Ability to work in the U.S. without sponsorship**
**Ability to meet the location requirement outlined above**

POSITION TYPE

Regular

PAY RANGE

The targeted full-time base salary for this position is $100,600 to $158,900 per year. The final compensation will be determined by a number of factors such as qualifications, expertise, and the candidate’s geographical location.

<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>

We’re Here to Support You—Accommodations Upon Request

Green Dot is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring experience for all candidates. If you require a reasonable accommodation during any part of the application or interview process, we encourage you to let us know. We will work with you to meet your needs in a way that respects your privacy and ensures equal opportunity. Our goal is to support every applicant in showcasing their talents and potential.

Work Authorization Requirement
At Green Dot Corporation, we value diversity and strive for fair and inclusive hiring practices. However, we are currently unable to offer visa sponsorship. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and throughout the duration of employment, without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Important Notice on Application Accuracy
We value integrity in our hiring process. Please ensure that all information provided in your resume and application is accurate and authentic. Submissions found to be fraudulent or misleading will result in disqualification from consideration, and any offers extended may be rescinded.