The role of Vendor Assessment & Controls Specialist will be responsible for ensuring delivery and compliance of vendor assessments as part of the Vendor Assessments & Controls function at Guardian.

You will

• Provide mentorship and support to vendor assessment activities.

• Analyze intake to prioritize assessments for recertifications of existing vendor relationships and certain new vendor assessments.

• Perform quality reviews of vendor assessments to ensure compliance with process and records and reports are comprehensive and accurately maintained.

• Ensure vendor assessment processes are consistently applied and documented procedures are followed in a consistent manner.

• Provide performance feedback of analyst team to Vendor Assessment leadership.

• Provide guidance to business relationship owners to raise awareness of policy & procedures, as well as reinforce roles and responsibilities, and identify potential risks and mitigants.

• Collaborate with internal business partners to assist in identification of issues associated with vendor engagements.

• Advance critical risks and aging items and provide ad hoc reporting to Vendor Assessment leadership.

• Perform periodic third-party risk assessments, through application of Guardian criteria and external information (e.g. SOC reports, Security Scorecard, HITRUST, ISO 27001, etc.).

• Leverage external assessments, data, and monitoring tools to drive efficiency and closure in the delivery of vendor assessments.

You have

• Solid background both educationally and via professional experience.

• BS/BA degree, Advanced Degree preferred or equivalent experience.

• Certification in risk management and/or third-party risk management preferred.

• 7+ years of Operational and/or Third-Party Risk Experience required.

• Ability to conduct detailed third-party risk assessments, through application of established criteria.

• Strong understanding of the principles of risk management, information security and their relationship to corporate governance activities such as operational risk assessment and organizational impact.

• Clear understanding of industry standards risk analysis approaches: ISO, COBIT, COSO, as well as regional standards and regulations; Sarbanes Oxley, Basel II, GLBA, HIPAA and crisis management/business resiliency practices.

• Demonstrated consistent credibility as a subject matter expert with business partners and leadership while recommending initiatives, identifying gaps, and potential issues.

• Demonstrated experience collaborating with internal partners and third parties to mitigate and otherwise resolve third party risks influencing business decisions and applying professional judgment for selecting the appropriate methods and techniques.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

• Possesses and builds on knowledge of vendor management, operational risks and trends relevant to financial services and insurance staying abreast of current and pending regulatory and compliance requirements.

• Provide virtual leadership and mentorship to the analyst level team on best practice and continuous improvements for processes, assessments, and other operational activities.

• Strong knowledge of and experience in risk management and internal controls required spanning fraud, legal liability, regulatory, privacy, information and cyber security, reputational harm, business resiliency, theft of assets, financial losses, and errors/omissions.

• Demonstrated leadership skills that instill trust and confidence with an ability to influence execution.

• Resource/workload management knowledge.

• Experience in large companies and/or complex environments or providing professional consulting services for them.

• Demonstrated abilities in problem-solving and analysis including identification of issues, analysis of information to assess root cause and relationships, risks, and potential risk responses.

• Proven ability to synthesize and summarize complex data into concise recommendations and reports.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to deliver detailed messaging in a concise, persuasive, and succinct manner.

• Proven ability to balance multiple priorities, adapt to a constantly changing business environment, work independently, drive projects to completion, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment-with periodic supervision.

• Ability to work collaboratively and manage and initiate effective cross-functional relationships maintaining a high level of professionalism, self-motivation and a strong sense of urgency.

• Strong computer skills, including MS Office products (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio) and other business software to prepare reports, memos, summaries, and analyses. Experience with GRC tools (e.g., Archer) is a plus.

• Competency in customer focus, change & innovation, critical thinking, relationship building & influencing, talent management, results focus and inspirational leadership.

• Ability to manage effectively and work closely with business leaders in a high pressure, fast paced, highly collaborative environment with multiple deadlines and competing priorities.

Location and Travel

This is a flexible position requiring 2 days per week in the office, with preference given to candidates within commuting proximity to a Guardian office, preferably Holmdel, NJ or Stamford, CT with travel as needed.

Salary Range

$79,350.00 - $130,365.00

The salary range reflected above is a good faith estimate of base pay for the primary location of the position. The salary for this position ultimately will be determined based on the education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate. In addition to salary, this role may also be eligible for annual, sales, or other incentive compensation.

Our Promise

At Guardian, you’ll have the support and flexibility to achieve your professional and personal goals. Through skill-building, leadership development and philanthropic opportunities, we provide opportunities to build communities and grow your career, surrounded by diverse colleagues with high ethical standards.

Inspire Well-Being

As part of Guardian’s Purpose – to inspire well-being – we are committed to offering contemporary, supportive, flexible, and inclusive benefits and resources to our colleagues.

Health Care

• Choice of [high deductible/copay] medical plans* with prescription drugs, including coverage for fertility and transgender inclusive benefits

• Dental plan

• Vision plan

• Health care accounts – flexible spending, health reimbursement, and health savings accounts

• Critical illness insurance

Life and Disability Insurance

• Company-paid Life and Disability insurance plus voluntary supplemental coverage

• Accident insurance

Retirement and Financial

• 401(k) retirement plan with a company match, plus an annual age/service-based Company contribution and an annual profit-sharing contribution, if applicable

• Complimentary 1:1 financial guidance with a licensed Fidelity representative

Time Off and Remote Work

• Flexible work arrangements (part in-person/part remote)

• Unlimited paid time off for most roles plus time off for volunteering, jury duty, voting, and bereavement

• Personal holidays for colleagues to use in recognition of religious, cultural, or civic days

• Paid parental leave and paid family and medical leave policies

Emotional Well-being and Work-Life

• Emotional well-being, mental health, and work/life resources powered by Spring Health

• Wellness programs, including fitness program and equipment reimbursement

• Child, adult, and elder back-up care support through Bright Horizons

• Adoption assistance

• College planning

• Tuition reimbursement

• Student loan assistance

• Commuter benefits in select metropolitan areas

Equity & Inclusion

Opportunities to build inclusive and meaningful connections through involvement in colleague-led affinity groups:

• Employee Resource Groups:

• Colleague Connection Committees

• Community Involvement Committees

A culture that encourages colleagues to bring their authentic selves to work

• Voluntary self-ID

• Pronunciation and phonetic spelling of names

Benefits apply to full-time eligible employees. Interns are not eligible for most Company benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Guardian is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, military or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law.

Accommodations

Guardian is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. Guardian also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants (and employees) to accommodate the individual's known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact applicant_accommodation@glic.com .

Current Guardian Colleagues: Please apply through the internal Jobs Hub in Workday.

Every day, Guardian helps our 29 million customers realize their dreams through a range of insurance and financial products and services. Our Purpose, to inspire well-being, guides our dedication to the colleagues, consumers, and communities we serve. We know that people count, and we go above and beyond to prepare them for the life they want to live, focusing on their overall well-being — mind, body, and wallet. As one of the largest mutual insurance companies, we put our customers first. Behind every bright future is a GuardianTM. Learn more about Guardian at guardianlife.com .