Third Party Risk Associate

About Us

Ascend is the largest credit union in Middle Tennessee and one of the largest credit unions in the United States, with over $4 billion in assets. With an occupation-based field of membership, Ascend is focused on the expansion and diversification of the select employee groups it serves, which creates greater security for the credit union and its member-owners. Approximately 650 employees serve more than 260,000 members from 27 Middle Tennessee branch locations, Regional Operations Center, Teller Center and Corporate Headquarters.

Ascend recognizes that its employees are critical to the credit union’s sustained success and future growth. Our employees are the face of the credit union and their personal successes fuel the success of the team. Through collaboration between employees, management, our membership and our Board, we fuel an engine that propels the credit union forward.

Thank you for your interest in a career with Ascend Federal Credit Union! Being employed by Ascend is vastly different than just holding a job. The credit union prides itself on providing employees rewarding career opportunities, competitive benefits and a unique work culture. The credit union’s commitment to its employees is fostered by its commitment to the member-owners, ensuring dedicated and engaged employees to serve the membership.

Ascend’s vision to be the most loved credit union in our market by employees and members alike has earned the credit union distinctions including Federal Credit Union of the Year (NAFCU, 2015), Best Credit Union to Work For ) and Training MVP Awards ).

As a Third Party Risk Associate, you will report to the Assistant Vice President, Risk Management and provide support to the organizational Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework. This position ensures that third-party risk is effectively managed to a level consistent with the organization's risk tolerance. You will be responsible for conducting vendor risk assessments, thoroughly reviewing due diligence documentation, and consistently monitoring vendor performance.

This role demands an in-depth understanding of Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) principles and practices. #LI-Onsite

• Collaborate with the Assistant Vice President, Risk Management to ensure all current and potential third-party risks are accounted for in risk assessments.
• Perform inherent risk assessments for new vendors and vendors with changes in the products/services they provide the credit union. Ensure inherent risk assessments for all vendors are current.
• Coordinate the collection of due diligence documentation from vendors and vendor client portals with vendor management team. Review due diligence documentation to identify any potential risk and ensure adequate mitigation is in place. Follow-up with vendor management team to obtain any outstanding documentation and resolve any due diligence questions.
• Conduct residual risk assessment meetings with vendor relationship managers and applicable stakeholders. Document rationale for ratings, especially those that do not reflect the direction of the due diligence documentation. Ensure contingency plans are documented for vendors with residual risk ratings of “Watchlist” or “Avoid”. Communicate annual due diligence summary to management.
• Perform periodic vendor performance reviews for all critical, high, and moderate risk vendors. Document all vendor incidents (outages, SLA noncompliance, inadequate support, etc.) in vendor management system. Inform management when vendor performance rating may need to be altered.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Vice President, Risk Management to ensure the inherent risk classifications are adequate for the size/complexity of the credit union.
• Ensure all new contracts, contract renewals, and associated contract documents are uploaded to the appropriate vendor profile in the contract management system with all applicable notifications (term, price increases, etc.) and distribution lists.
• Interact with credit union staff and management in a professional manner while maintaining confidentiality in all areas.
• Keep informed of credit union policies and…