Vendor Governance & Controls Analyst

The Vendor Governance & Controls Analyst is a manager-level governance and enablement role. Unlike risk assessment or procurement functions, this role exists to ensure that the right people are doing the right vendor management activities - with the right rigor, at the right time. This individual serves as a governance enforcer, business enabler, and accountability champion: coaching Vendor Relationship Managers (VRMs) through governance requirements, facilitating vendor lifecycle training for business unit leaders, and driving measurable accountability for scorecard execution and vendor performance standards across the enterprise. This role operates as the bridge between established vendor management policy and the day-to-day behavior of business stakeholders who own vendor relationships. Success in this position requires the rare combination of governance expertise, training facilitation skill, executive influencing ability, and an unwavering commitment to behavioral accountability within third-party oversight. What You'll Do: • VRM RFP Navigation & Coaching - Serve as a dedicated business controls advisor to Vendor Relationship Managers (VRMs) throughout the RFP process; coach VRMs on evaluation frameworks, scoring methodologies, and documentation standards without owning the RFP process itself. • Vendor Lifecycle Training Facilitation - Design and facilitate end-to-end Vendor Lifecycle Training programs for VRMs, business unit leaders, and cross-functional stakeholders - translating existing procedures and risk frameworks into actionable, role-specific learning experiences that drive consistent vendor management behavior across the enterprise. • Scorecard Accountability Enforcement - Act as the accountability owner for vendor scorecard execution; partner with business leaders to drive timely scorecard completion, facilitate performance review cadences, escalate non-compliance to senior leadership, and ensure that scorecard outcomes drive tangible vendor management actions - not just documentation. • Vendor Onsite Assessment Partnership - Travel alongside Vendor Relationship Managers (up to 10%) to conduct vendor onsite assessments, serving as the business controls representative to observe, evaluate, and document vendor performance, operational readiness, and adherence to contractual commitments firsthand. • Vendor Accountability Program Management - Lead structured vendor accountability initiatives including performance improvement plan facilitation, contract adherence monitoring, and escalation management for chronically underperforming vendors - translating scorecard data and assessment findings into enforceable vendor action plans. • Business Leader Governance Enablement - Serve as a trusted advisor and change agent for business unit leaders, equipping them with the tools, knowledge, and governance frameworks needed to fulfill their vendor oversight responsibilities - shifting accountability ownership from the VRM team to the appropriate business stakeholders. • Controls Adherence Oversight - Monitor business unit and VRM adherence to established vendor governance policies, controls, and standard operating procedures; identify behavioral or procedural deviations, provide targeted coaching and remediation guidance, and escalate systemic non-compliance through appropriate channels. • Governance Reporting & Insights - Leverage existing vendor scorecard data, assessment findings, and performance metrics to produce governance-focused reporting and trend analysis for senior leadership - translating data into narrative insights that highlight accountability gaps, emerging risks, and business leader performance against vendor management obligations. • Cross-Functional Controls Integration - Collaborate with Compliance, Legal, Procurement, and Risk partners to ensure business controls requirements are operationalized within the vendor management lifecycle - serving as the bridge between policy and practice rather than the creator of policy. • Continuous Improvement Advocacy - Champion the adoption of vendor governance best practices across the enterprise by identifying process gaps in how business leaders and VRMs execute vendor management responsibilities, proposing targeted improvements, and driving behavioral change through training, accountability structures, and executive visibility. What We're Looking For: • Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Organizational Development, or a related field. • 5-8 years of experience in vendor management, business controls, or third-party governance within a financial services organization. • Demonstrated experience in a controls, compliance, or governance-focused role - distinct from risk assessment or procurement ownership. • Proven track record of holding business stakeholders accountable to governance standards, scorecards, or performance frameworks. • Experience facilitating training, workshops, or enablement programs for business unit audiences. • Strong understanding of vendor management lifecycle concepts sufficient to coach and advise VRMs without owning the process. • Familiarity with financial services regulatory guidance (OCC, FFIEC, CFPB) as it pertains to third-party governance obligations of business lines. • Exceptional interpersonal, influencing, and presentation skills - ability to drive accountability without direct authority. • Willingness and ability to travel up to 10% for vendor onsite assessments. Preferred Skills: • MBA or advanced degree in Business, Organizational Leadership, or Risk Management. • Professional certifications such as CTPS (Certified Third-Party Professional), CRVPM, or comparable vendor governance credential. • Experience with vendor performance management platforms (e.g., Zip, ProcessUnity, Archer). • Six Sigma, Lean, or change management certification (e.g., Prosci). • Prior experience in a business controls, internal audit, or compliance advisory role within financial services. • Experience designing and delivering adult learning / corporate training curricula. Kapitus Total Rewards Package Includes: • Competitive Base Salary Range of $89,700 - $143,900 (Kapitus is providing this as a good faith salary range to comply with applicable law. The applicant's final salary will depend on a number of factors including the applicant's geographic location, skills, and experience.) • Annual Incentive Compensation Eligibility -Up to 10% annually • Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and employer-paid vision plans through UnitedHealthcare (UHC), with various coverage levels available to meet the needs of our employees and their families. Additional perks through UHC include: Sweat Equity, free subscription to the Calm App, UHC rewards, Real Appeal, and Quit For Life. • Flexible Spending Account: Set aside pre-tax dollars from your paycheck to pay for qualified out-of-pocket medical, dental, vision, pharmacy or dependent care expenses. • Lifestyle Spending Account: Employer sponsored post-tax benefits that allow reimbursement for expenses related to physical, mental and financial well-being. • 100% Company Paid Insurances: Kapitus fully covers the cost of basic short-term and long-term disability insurance, as well as vision insurance, ensuring our employees have comprehensive protection without any personal expense. • Voluntary Insurance: Supplemental life insurance as well as enhanced short- and long-term disability coverage are available through Mutual of Omaha, providing additional security for our employees. Additionally, Colonial Accident and Hospitalization insurances are also available, offering further protection against unforeseen events. • Paid Maternity and Parental Leave: Beyond state-mandated leave policies, Kapitus provides company-paid maternity and parental leave, supporting our employees during important family milestones. • Commuter Benefits: We offer pre-tax benefits on parking and commuter expenses to cover travel to and from work. • LifeBalance Program: Enhance your lifestyle with our LifeBalance membership, which offers discounts on outdoor activities, the arts, health, and fitness. Additional benefits include: • Pet and car insurance discounts. • Financial services such as LegalShield. • Relaxation and stress management tools. • Plum Benefits Discount Program: Access exclusive discounts on shows, travel, car rentals, and more, enriching your personal and family life. • Tuition Reimbursement: Pursue further education with up to $5,000 annually in tuition reimbursement, plus opportunities to attend relevant conferences and career development events. Managed through our LSA plan, Kapitus Academy. • Travel Reimbursement: We also offer travel reimbursement for all work-related travel, supporting your involvement in career and personal development activities. • Paid Time Off and Sick Time. • Retirement Benefits: Our 401K plan is managed through Fidelity. To support your long-term financial goals, the company provides a 25% match on your contributions, up to 6% of your annual salary. Consideration will be given to qualified remote candidates residing in states where Kapitus and/or one of its subsidiaries has an established physical presence.