Partner Risk & Performance Lead

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Title:                                Partner Risk & Performance Lead

Classification:                   Salaried, exempt

Position Type:                   Full Time

Reports to:                        President, Bank Partnerships

Location:                           Prairie Village, KS (In Office, Hybrid Potential)

About Us

TBO Bank (AKA The Bank of Opportunity) has been serving customers from our hometown location in Orrick, Missouri. We’ve taken pride in building banking relationships that have spanned decades.  Now we’re bringing “the feel” of hometown banking to a broader landscape.  Our mission: to connect and empower in a way that is human, relatable and real. As we expand the reach of our relationships, you can feel secure working for a bank that just gets it.

Position Summary/Objective

The Lead, Partner Risk Strategy & Performance is responsible for establishing and maintaining the risk governance framework supporting the Bank Partnerships vertical. This role oversees partner risk assessments, policy alignment, control mapping, ongoing monitoring, performance oversight, and governance activities designed to ensure partnership programs operate within the Bank's risk appetite, regulatory expectations, and strategic objectives.

This position serves as the bridge between partnership growth and Safety & Soundness by ensuring risk management principles are embedded throughout the partner lifecycle—from onboarding and implementation through ongoing monitoring and performance management.

Success in this role is demonstrated through effective risk assessments, well-defined control frameworks, meaningful performance monitoring, strong policy alignment, timely identification of emerging risks, and the delivery of actionable insights that support informed decision-making while maintaining a safe, compliant, and scalable partnership portfolio. As the function matures, success will also be measured by the ability to establish repeatable governance processes, expand team capacity, and effectively lead and develop additional resources in support of the growing portfolio.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Essential Functions

Partner Risk Governance

• Conduct initial and ongoing partner risk assessments.
• Develop and maintain partner risk rating methodologies.
• Evaluate operational, compliance, credit, strategic, reputational, and information security risks associated with partnership activities.
• Support governance reviews throughout the partner lifecycle.
• Recommend risk mitigation strategies and monitoring requirements.

Policy Alignment & Control Frameworks

• Map partnership activities to applicable Bank policies, standards, and governance requirements.
• Develop and maintain partnership control inventories.
• Validate implementation of required controls during onboarding and ongoing operations.
• Support policy exception reviews and remediation activities.
• Identify control gaps and recommend enhancements.

Ongoing Monitoring & Performance Oversight

• Establish and maintain key risk indicators (KRIs) and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Monitor partner operational performance, portfolio trends, complaint activity, vendor performance, servicing performance, and program outcomes.
• Coordinate periodic partner reviews and annual program assessments.
• Identify emerging trends requiring escalation or management attention.

Risk Intelligence & Reporting

• Develop executive reporting frameworks supporting partnership oversight.
• Analyze risk, performance, and operational trends across the partnership portfolio.
• Support development of dashboards and reporting that communicate portfolio health, operational performance, earnings impacts, and emerging risks.
• Translate complex risk information into actionable management insights.

Governance & Oversight Support

• Support Executive Management, Board, and committee reporting.
• Participate in governance reviews and risk oversight activities.
• Provide independent challenge and risk perspective on partnership initiatives, changes, and growth opportunities.
• Support ongoing enhancement of the Bank Partnerships governance framework.

Experience and Qualifications

• 5–10 years of experience in risk management, enterprise risk management, third-party risk management, compliance, operational risk, or partnership oversight.
• Strong understanding of consumer lending and partnership-based business models.
• Experience conducting risk assessments and control evaluations. 
• Experience developing KPIs, KRIs, dashboards, or executive reporting.
• Experience supporting audits, examinations, and governance committees.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills.

Physical Requirements**

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a desk or computer.
• Must be able to use a computer and other office equipment (e.g., phone, printer).
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, via phone, and through written correspondence.
• Ability to concentrate and focus on tasks for extended periods in a fast-paced environment.

*TBO Bank is proud to have an inclusive culture committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity in all employment decisions regardless of race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, veteran status or any other legally protected status.

** The physical demands listed are a requirement to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.