Director, First Line Risk (Bank Originations)

Join our team and build your career with momentum as we champion your growth, elevate your ideas and engage you in purpose-driven work that makes a real difference every day.

Who we are

Founded in 1997, Merrick Bank is an FDIC®-insured financial institution headquartered in South Jordan, Utah, with over $10 billion in assets. A wholly owned subsidiary of CardWorks Financial Group, Merrick Bank serves roughly five million cardmembers and more than 100,000 merchant customers nationwide.

What we do

We provide credit cards, recreational loans, deposit accounts, merchant services and bank sponsorships to consumers and businesses. As a leader in non-prime lending and merchant acquiring, we combine innovative technology with data-driven insights to help underserved consumers build and strengthen credit while delivering integrated, scalable payment solutions for businesses.

Merrick Bank ranks among the top 20 FDIC®-insured credit card issuers in the U.S. and among the top 15 merchant acquirers by transaction volume.

Position Summary and Role Impact:

The Director, First Line Risk (Bank Originations), supports execution of Merrick Bank’s First Line of Defense (FLOD) Risk strategy by leading risk and control activities across Non-Card Operations, with a focus on the Bank Originations program.

This role oversees risk identification, control evaluation, and issue management, including first line oversight of third-party partners supporting bank-sponsored originations. The Director partners with business leaders and Second Line Compliance, Enterprise Risk, and Internal Audit to ensure risks, controls, and issues are properly identified, documented, and remediated in alignment with the Risk Management Framework.

This role includes leadership accountability for teams delivering first line risk outcomes.

Ideally, the qualified candidate will work in our South Jordan, UT location.  Other locations including hybrid or remote models can be considered based on hiring manager decision and priorities of the role.

Essential Functions:

First Line Risk & Control Execution

• Execute risk and control activities across assigned portfolios, including Recreational Lending and Bank Originations partnerships
• Support RCSA activities (risk identification, assessment, mapping)
• Evaluate control design and effectiveness; identify gaps and enhancements
• Partner with Line of Business, Compliance, and Enterprise Risk stakeholders to implement control improvements
• Escalate material risks and emerging issues

Third-Party Oversight (Bank Originations)

• Provide first line risk oversight of third-party partners supporting loan origination programs
• Oversee issue management, complaint monitoring, and SLA/KPI performance for partner programs
• Participate in due diligence and onboarding of new third-party partnerships, ensuring risk and control expectations are established upfront
• Support ongoing monitoring to ensure alignment with regulatory expectations and bank standard

Issue Management & Remediation

• Document issues, support root cause analysis, and coordinate remediation
• Track progress, milestones, and evidence to closure
• Ensure issues meet documentation and governance standards
• Support validation with Second Line and Internal Audit

Governance & Partnership

• Ensure alignment with Risk Management Framework and policies
• Partner with Compliance and Enterprise Risk on assessments and validations
• Support audits and regulatory exams (walkthroughs, evidence preparation, documentation)

Reporting & Systems

• Maintain KRIs, KPIs, issue metrics, and third-party performance indicators; prepare reporting, dashboards, and Power BI outputs
• Manage documentation and workflows within SharePoint and governance tools (e.g., ServiceNow, Archer) to ensure traceability and audit readiness

Leadership & Accountability

• May lead and manage teams supporting first line risk activities, including setting expectations, performance standards, and development plans
• Support resource planning, coaching, and representation of first line risk perspectives in leadership forums.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Risk Management, Accounting, Economics or related field is required, four (4) years’ experience accepted in lieu of education requirement.
• Five (5) years of experience in First Line Risk, Controls, Compliance, Audit, or Banking Operations is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Capabilities:

• Strong banking or financial services experience is required

Experience in control-related activities, including:

• RCSA execution 
• Control design and testing 
• Issue management and remediation

Strong working knowledge of:

• First Line Risk & Control frameworks
• RCSA execution, issue management, and control evaluation
• KRI/KPI development and governance routines

• Demonstrated ability to partner effectively across Operations, Compliance, Enterprise Risk, Audit, and Technology.

• Experience supporting internal audits and regulatory examinations.

• Proficiency with Power BI, SharePoint, and risk/governance tooling preferred.

• Certifications preferred: CRCM, PMP, Lean Six Sigma, CPA, or other risk‑related credentials.

• Strong execution mindset with attention to documentation quality, regulatory readiness, and sustainable outcomes.

Compliance with Laws & Regulations

• Responsible for complying with all the Bank’s internal control policies and procedures.
• Responsible for understanding and complying with all laws and regulations to which the Bank is subject.
• Responsible for communicating problems in operations, noncompliance with the code of conduct, noncompliance with laws and regulations, policy violations, or illegal acts.

Why join us

We believe in putting people first by supporting our customers, employees and our partners while creating opportunities for everyone to reach their potential. From fostering work-life balance to rewarding good work and innovative ideas, we invest in what matters most, our people.

At Merrick Bank, you’ll be part of a collaborative, customer-focused team where you can grow your career while making a meaningful impact.

Our Employee Value Proposition

• Competitive Pay, including a Bonus Target or Variable Pay Incentive Program 
• Benefits Package -Medical, Dental, and Vision (plus much more) 
• 401(k) Plan with Company Match 
• Short- & Long-Term Disability 
• Wellness Programs 
• Group Life and AD&D Insurance 
• Paid Vacation, Sick Days and bank Holidays 
• Employee Engagement Activities including Employee Appreciation Day, DEI Employee Resource Groups, Corporate Social Responsibility, Service Recognition

We offer a total rewards package comprised of a competitive base rate of pay, variable pay incentive programs based on the role, and a comprehensive benefit suite.  Offered rates of pay are determined based on job-related knowledge, relevant experience, skills, certifications, and geographic location.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to age, race, color, sex, or gender identity/expression (including pregnancy, childbirth, transgender status, or sexual orientation), religion or creed, ancestry, citizenship, national origin, disability, military or veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

We do not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. Employment decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs. Everyone is welcome here, and we hire based on your ability to do the job, not any protected characteristics.

If you need help or reasonable accommodation during the application or hiring process, please let your TA Partner know.