Independent Testing Manager - COO - IT&V

About this role:

Wells Fargo is seeking an Independent Testing Manager

In this role, you will:

• Manage a team of managers in cross-functional teams in accomplishing goals and priorities

• Develop and design methodologies and standards for review activities across the Enterprise in alignment with the Risk Management Framework

• Ensure effective and appropriate testing, validation, and documentation of review activities for risk programs, risks, and controls according to standards and other applicable policies

• Develop, maintain, and execute the Annual Plan

• Assess, document, and communicate emerging risks, themes and identified issues to leadership and risk partners in a timely manner

• Ensure issues are identified and documented

• Identify potential corrective actions, and follows through on reporting, escalation, and resolution

• Perform moderate to high risk quality reviews

• Lead implementation of complex and strategic initiatives with moderate risk and complexity

• Ensure plan includes targeted reviews based on risk and meets internal past due benchmarks

• Lead moderate to high risk or complexity review activity engagements

• Escalate any critical or high risk issues to appropriate leadership

• Manage communication and collaboration with business heads, Legal, Audit, and regulators on risk related topics

• Provide status updates to key stakeholders on programs and specific reviews where warranted

• Manage allocation of people and financial resources for Independent Testing

• Mentor and guide talent development of direct reports and assist in hiring talent

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in Independent Testing experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education

• 2+ years of Leadership experience

Desired Qualifications:

• 10–15+ years of experience across risk, compliance, audit, assurance, or regulatory functions, with a strong emphasis on data analytics and testing/validation within large, regulated financial institutions.
• Deep hands-on experience in remediation analytics validation, including:
  • Validation of customer remediation populations, eligibility, and calculations
  • Review of data sourcing, lineage, transformations, and reconciliation (data waterfalls)
  • Assessment of assumptions, limitations, and completeness/accuracy risks
• Ensure customer remediation identified populations are complete, accurate, appropriate, and thoroughly documented in terms of data waterfalls, sources, flows, limitations, and assumptions.
• Proven ability to independently review and challenge complex analytics developed using SAS, SQL, Python, or equivalent tools, ensuring compliance with regulatory expectations and internal policy standards.
• Demonstrated experience applying advanced analytics, automation, and AI/ML techniques within risk or control environments, including:
  • Practical application of optimization techniques and LLM-driven optimization
  • Working knowledge of LLMs, AI prompting, and emerging GenAI capabilities, with focus on responsible and controlled use cases
• Strong leadership and people‑management skills, with demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional and geographically distributed teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with experience influencing senior managers, leaders and executive partners.
• Strong understanding of Second Line of Defense responsibilities and regulatory expectations.
• Strong hands-on technical proficiency in:
  • Data querying and analytics tools (SQL, SAS, Python, R or equivalent)
  • Data visualization and storytelling tools (Power BI, Tableau)
  • Interpreting and validating complex datasets and analytical outputs
• Solid understanding of:
  • Data governance frameworks, data quality controls, and lineage expectations
  • Regulatory expectations related to remediation, reporting, and testing (e.g., defensibility, auditability)
• Strong knowledge of Second Line of Defense (Independent Testing/Validation) roles and responsibilities, including delivering credible challenge and maintaining independence.
• Demonstrated leadership capability with a player-coach mindset, including:
  • Ability to lead teams while remaining hands-on in reviews and analytics validation, whenever required
  • Experience managing globally distributed teams and delivering through matrixed environments
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with experience engaging and influencing: Senior leaders, Risk partners, Audit, and Regulators
• Strong problem-solving, prioritization, and execution skills, with the ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, high-pressure regulatory environments.
• Proven experience in project and program delivery, including managing complex, high-risk initiatives and regulatory-driven timelines.
• Strategic, forward-looking mindset with the ability to operate effectively in ambiguity.
• Strong project management and delivery experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work in complex, matrixed organizations and partner across diverse stakeholders.

Job Expectations:

• A successful candidate will be a team player and a self-starter who is accustomed to working in complex organizations, partnering with a diverse group of stakeholders, and achieving results.
• Candidates with strong experience in preparing for or reviewing complex SAS, SQL, and Python code to ensure compliance with the requirements.
• Demonstrate ability to lead and multi-task, solve problems, make decisions, and operate in a fast-paced environment.
• Drive consistency and rigor in ARDT methodologies, including:
  • Standardization of validation approaches
  • Contribution to methodology and guidance development, and governance forums within IT&V
• Leverage analytics, automation, and AI capabilities to:
  • Improve coverage, efficiency, and scalability of Independent Testing
  • Enhance risk identification and thematic analysis
• Ensure responsible use of AI and analytics, including:
  • Adherence to data governance, model risk, and regulatory expectations
  • Ensuring all outputs are explainable, transparent, and subject to audit scrutiny
• Provide credible challenge and independent risk perspective to business partners, including:
  • Identification of emerging risks, systemic issues, and control weaknesses
  • Clear articulation of findings, impacts, and required actions
• Manage resource planning and allocation across ARDT, ensuring:
  • Adequate coverage for peak remediation and testing cycles
  • Effective utilization of team capacity
• Serve as a primary interface with senior stakeholders, including:
  • Business leaders, Legal, Audit, Risk partners, and Regulators
  • Delivering clear, concise, and transparent updates in governance forums
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation, including:
  • Identification and implementation of process efficiencies
  • Expansion of automation and advanced analytics capabilities in testing
• Build and develop a high-performing analytics team, including:
  • Coaching and mentoring talent
  • Driving technical upskilling in analytics, AI, and validation practices
  • Supporting hiring and succession planning
• Demonstrate ability to lead in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment, balancing:
  • Multiple priorities and reviews
  • Strategic initiatives and tactical execution

Posting End Date: 

*Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

We Value Equal Opportunity

Wells Fargo is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Employees support our focus on building strong customer relationships balanced with a strong risk mitigating and compliance-driven culture which firmly establishes those disciplines as critical to the success of our customers and company. They are accountable for execution of all applicable risk programs (Credit, Market, Financial Crimes, Operational, Regulatory Compliance), which includes effectively following and adhering to applicable Wells Fargo policies and procedures, appropriately fulfilling risk and compliance obligations, timely and effective escalation and remediation of issues, and making sound risk decisions. There is emphasis on proactive monitoring, governance, risk identification and escalation, as well as making sound risk decisions commensurate with the business unit’s risk appetite and all risk and compliance program requirements.

Candidates applying to job openings posted in Canada: Applications for employment are encouraged from all qualified candidates, including women, persons with disabilities, aboriginal peoples and visible minorities. Accommodation for applicants with disabilities is available upon request in connection with the recruitment process.

Applicants with Disabilities

To request a medical accommodation during the application or interview process, visit Disability Inclusion at Wells Fargo.

Drug and Alcohol Policy

Wells Fargo maintains a drug free workplace.  Please see our Drug and Alcohol Policy to learn more.

Wells Fargo Recruitment and Hiring Requirements:

a. Third-Party recordings are prohibited unless authorized by Wells Fargo.

b. Wells Fargo requires you to directly represent your own experiences during the recruiting and hiring process.