Head of Risk Jobs
Head of Risk jobs are open across financial services, insurance, healthcare, and technology, at every level from risk analyst to chief risk officer, with specializations in enterprise risk management, credit risk, and operational risk. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Job Family
Treasury, Capital Management and Asset Liability ManagementAbout Us
At Transamerica, hard work, innovative thinking, and personal accountability are qualities we honor and reward. We understand the potential of leveraging the talents of a diverse workforce. We embrace an environment where employees enjoy a balance between their careers, families, communities, and personal interests.
Ultimately, we appreciate the uniqueness of a company where talented professionals work collaboratively in a positive environment — one focused on helping people look forward and plan for the best life possible while providing tools and solutions that make it easier to get there.
Who We Are
We believe everyone deserves to live their best life. More than a century ago, we were among the first financial services companies in America to serve everyday people from all walks of life.
Today, we’re part of an international holding company, with millions of customers and thousands of employees worldwide. Our insurance, retirement, and investment solutions help people make the most of what’s important to them.
We’re empowered by a vast agent network covering North America, with diversity to match. Together with our nonprofit research institute and foundation, we tune in, step up, and are a force for good — for our customers and the communities where we live, work, and play. United in our purpose, we help people create the financial freedom to live life on their terms.
What We Do
Transamerica is organized into three distinct businesses. These include 1) World Financial Group, including Transamerica Financial Advisors, 2) Protection Solutions and Savings & Investments, comprised of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits, retirement plans, and Transamerica Investment Solutions, and 3) Financial Assets, which includes legacy blocks of long term care, universal life, and variable and fixed annuities. These are supported by Transamerica Corporate, which includes Finance, People and Places, General Counsel, Risk, Internal Audit, Strategy and Development, and Corporate Affairs, which covers Communications, Brand, and Government and Policy Affairs.
Transamerica employs nearly 7,000 people. It’s part of Aegon, an integrated, diversified, international financial services group serving approximately 23.9 million customers worldwide.* For more information, visit transamerica.com.
Job Description Summary
The Head of Investment Portfolio Risk Strategy will be responsible for implementation and oversight of the portfolio risk framework within the Chief Investment Office, including development and maintenance of the General Account portfolio Watch List framework, and the development and oversight of risk surveillance tools and analytics for monitoring investment risk across the General Account. The Head of Investment Portfolio Risk Strategy will also have responsibility for overseeing investment-related rating agency and regulatory developments and directing the CIO’s strategies to address these developments.Job Description
Responsibilities
Lead the CIO Portfolio Risk Framework: Responsible for the design, implementation, and ongoing enhancement of the investment risk framework governing the General Account, including risk appetite, escalation thresholds, governance standards, and management reporting.- Own the General Account Watch List Framework: Develop and oversee a consistent Watch List process for identifying, assessing, escalating, and monitoring investments experiencing credit deterioration, structural concerns, performance weakness, or heightened regulatory or capital risk.
- Develop Portfolio Risk Surveillance Capabilities: Lead the development of surveillance tools, dashboards, analytics, and early-warning indicators to identify emerging concentrations, credit deterioration, market risks, liquidity concerns, and other portfolio vulnerabilities.
- Provide Senior-Level Portfolio Risk Oversight: Deliver independent assessment of portfolio risks across all General Account asset classes, with particular focus on concentrations and emerging risks.
- Lead Investment Regulatory and Rating Agency Surveillance: Monitor and assess investment-related developments from the NAIC, state insurance regulators, and other relevant regulatory bodies as well as the NRSRO’s, including changes affecting RBC, investment classifications, structured securities, private ratings, affiliated investments, and other capital or admissibility considerations. Assess implications for the General Account and coordinate the CIO office strategic response.
- Establish Risk Governance and Escalation Standards: Define risk limits, monitoring standards, escalation protocols, and management reporting processes, ensuring material portfolio risks are identified and communicated to appropriate investment, risk, and executive governance forums.
- Partner across Investment, Risk, Finance and Regulatory Functions: Serve as a senior liaison across Portfolio Management, Investment Risk, Finance, Actuarial, Legal, Compliance, and Regulatory Affairs to ensure an integrated approach to investment risk and regulatory developments.
- Advise CIO and Senior Leadership on emerging investment risks: Provide executive-level analysis and recommendations on emerging portfolio risks, regulatory developments, rating-agency concerns, and industry trends, including preparation of materials for senior management and other governance bodies.
Qualifications
- Ten years of relevant and progressive quantitative experience, including management responsibilities
- Front office experience at a bank, hedge fund, asset management firm, or insurance company
- Advanced knowledge of Excel, VBA, SQL
- Good understanding of risk methodologies used in banking or insurance industry
- Good understanding of actuarial and accounting
- Ability to extract and apply ideas from academic publications
- Communication skills to convey complex information verbally and in writing at the appropriate level of Interpersonal detail for each audience
- People skills to manage/lead projects and the ability to inspire the team and provide insights to ALM colleagues.
Preferred Qualifications
- Graduate degree in finance, economics, actuarial science, or related field
- Expertise across fixed income, structured products, and private credit, including risk/return drivers and portfolio integration
- Strong command of investment risk modeling including stress testing
- Deep understanding of life insurance liabilities, capital frameworks (RBC/Bermuda), and rating‑agency methodologies
- Executive‑level communication skills; proven ability to present to boards, management committees, and senior leadership
- Proven ability to manage complex workflows, influence senior stakeholders, and drive execution in a regulated environment
Working Conditions
- Hybrid Office Environment
- Occasional Travel <10%
Compensation
The Salary for this position generally ranges between $250,000 - $275,000 annually. Please note that the salary range is a good faith estimate for this position and actual starting pay is determined by several factors including qualifications, experience, geography, work location designation (in-office, hybrid, remote) and operational needs. Salary may vary above and below the stated amounts, as permitted by applicable law.
Additionally, this position is typically eligible for an Annual Bonus based on the Company Bonus Plan/Individual Performance and is at the Company’s discretion.
Applicants must possess legal authorization to work for our company in the U.S. without the need for immigration, sponsorship or otherwise serving as an employer of record for immigration employment purposes. At this time, this role is not eligible for immigration-related employment authorization sponsorship.
This is a hybrid position requiring three days in office per week in one of our hub locations. Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.
Disclaimer:
Beware of fake job offers!
We’ve been alerted to scammers impersonating Transamerica recruiters, particularly for remote positions. Please note:
- We will never request personal information such as ID or payment for equipment upfront.
- Official offers are sent via DocuSign following a verbal offer—not through text or email.
This job description is not a contract of employment nor for any specific job responsibilities. The Company may change, add to, remove, or revoke the terms of this job description at its discretion. Managers may assign other duties and responsibilities as needed. In the event an employee or applicant requests or requires an accommodation to perform job functions, the applicable HR Business Partner should be contacted to evaluate the accommodation request.
What We Offer
For eligible employees, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both the personal and financial well-being of our employees.
Compensation Benefits
Competitive Pay
Bonus for Eligible Employees
Benefits Package
Pension Plan
401k Match
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Tuition Reimbursement
Disability Insurance
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Employee Discounts
Career Training & Development Opportunities
Health and Work/Life Balance Benefits
Paid Time Off starting at 160 hours annually for employees in their first year of service.
Ten (10) paid holidays per year (typically mirroring the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) holidays).
Be Well Company holistic wellness program, which includes Wellness Coaching and Reward Dollars
Parental Leave – fifteen (15) days of paid parental leave per calendar year to eligible employees with at least one year of service at the time of birth, placement of an adopted child, or placement of a foster care child.
Adoption Assistance
Employee Assistance Program
Back-Up Care Program
PTO for Volunteer Hours
Employee Matching Gifts Program
Employee Resource Groups
Inclusion and Diversity Programs
Employee Recognition Program
Referral Bonus Programs
Inclusion & Diversity
We believe our commitment to diversity and inclusion creates a work environment filled with exceptional individuals. We’re thrilled to have been recognized for our efforts through the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, Dave Thomas Adoption Friendly Advocate, and several Seramount lists, including the Inclusion Index, 100 Best Companies for Working Parents, Best Companies for Dads, and Top 75 Companies for Executive Women.
To foster a culture of inclusivity throughout our workforce, workplace, and marketplace, Transamerica offers a wide range of diversity and inclusion programs. This includes our company-sponsored, employee-driven Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which are formed around a shared interest or a common characteristic of diversity. ERGs are open to all employees. They provide a supportive environment to help us better appreciate our similarities and differences and understand how they benefit us all.
Giving Back
We believe our responsibilities extend beyond our corporate walls. That's why we created the Aegon Transamerica Foundation in 1994. Through a mix of financial grants and the volunteer efforts of our employees, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations focused on the things that matter most to our people in the communities where we live and work.
Transamerica’s Parent Company
Aegon acquired the Transamerica business in 1999. Since its start in 1844, Aegon has grown into an international company serving more than 23.9 million people across the globe.* It offers investment, protection, and retirement solutions, always with a clear purpose: Helping people live their best lives. As a leading global investor and employer, the company seeks to have a positive impact by addressing critical environmental and societal issues, with a focus on climate change and inclusion and diversity.
- As of December 31, 2023
Job Family
Treasury, Capital Management and Asset Liability ManagementAbout Us
At Transamerica, hard work, innovative thinking, and personal accountability are qualities we honor and reward. We understand the potential of leveraging the talents of a diverse workforce. We embrace an environment where employees enjoy a balance between their careers, families, communities, and personal interests.
Ultimately, we appreciate the uniqueness of a company where talented professionals work collaboratively in a positive environment — one focused on helping people look forward and plan for the best life possible while providing tools and solutions that make it easier to get there.
Who We Are
We believe everyone deserves to live their best life. More than a century ago, we were among the first financial services companies in America to serve everyday people from all walks of life.
Today, we’re part of an international holding company, with millions of customers and thousands of employees worldwide. Our insurance, retirement, and investment solutions help people make the most of what’s important to them.
We’re empowered by a vast agent network covering North America, with diversity to match. Together with our nonprofit research institute and foundation, we tune in, step up, and are a force for good — for our customers and the communities where we live, work, and play. United in our purpose, we help people create the financial freedom to live life on their terms.
What We Do
Transamerica is organized into three distinct businesses. These include 1) World Financial Group, including Transamerica Financial Advisors, 2) Protection Solutions and Savings & Investments, comprised of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits, retirement plans, and Transamerica Investment Solutions, and 3) Financial Assets, which includes legacy blocks of long term care, universal life, and variable and fixed annuities. These are supported by Transamerica Corporate, which includes Finance, People and Places, General Counsel, Risk, Internal Audit, Strategy and Development, and Corporate Affairs, which covers Communications, Brand, and Government and Policy Affairs.
Transamerica employs nearly 7,000 people. It’s part of Aegon, an integrated, diversified, international financial services group serving approximately 23.9 million customers worldwide.* For more information, visit transamerica.com.
Job Description Summary
The Head of Investment Portfolio Risk Strategy will be responsible for implementation and oversight of the portfolio risk framework within the Chief Investment Office, including development and maintenance of the General Account portfolio Watch List framework, and the development and oversight of risk surveillance tools and analytics for monitoring investment risk across the General Account. The Head of Investment Portfolio Risk Strategy will also have responsibility for overseeing investment-related rating agency and regulatory developments and directing the CIO’s strategies to address these developments.Job Description
Responsibilities
Lead the CIO Portfolio Risk Framework: Responsible for the design, implementation, and ongoing enhancement of the investment risk framework governing the General Account, including risk appetite, escalation thresholds, governance standards, and management reporting.- Own the General Account Watch List Framework: Develop and oversee a consistent Watch List process for identifying, assessing, escalating, and monitoring investments experiencing credit deterioration, structural concerns, performance weakness, or heightened regulatory or capital risk.
- Develop Portfolio Risk Surveillance Capabilities: Lead the development of surveillance tools, dashboards, analytics, and early-warning indicators to identify emerging concentrations, credit deterioration, market risks, liquidity concerns, and other portfolio vulnerabilities.
- Provide Senior-Level Portfolio Risk Oversight: Deliver independent assessment of portfolio risks across all General Account asset classes, with particular focus on concentrations and emerging risks.
- Lead Investment Regulatory and Rating Agency Surveillance: Monitor and assess investment-related developments from the NAIC, state insurance regulators, and other relevant regulatory bodies as well as the NRSRO’s, including changes affecting RBC, investment classifications, structured securities, private ratings, affiliated investments, and other capital or admissibility considerations. Assess implications for the General Account and coordinate the CIO office strategic response.
- Establish Risk Governance and Escalation Standards: Define risk limits, monitoring standards, escalation protocols, and management reporting processes, ensuring material portfolio risks are identified and communicated to appropriate investment, risk, and executive governance forums.
- Partner across Investment, Risk, Finance and Regulatory Functions: Serve as a senior liaison across Portfolio Management, Investment Risk, Finance, Actuarial, Legal, Compliance, and Regulatory Affairs to ensure an integrated approach to investment risk and regulatory developments.
- Advise CIO and Senior Leadership on emerging investment risks: Provide executive-level analysis and recommendations on emerging portfolio risks, regulatory developments, rating-agency concerns, and industry trends, including preparation of materials for senior management and other governance bodies.
Qualifications
- Ten years of relevant and progressive quantitative experience, including management responsibilities
- Front office experience at a bank, hedge fund, asset management firm, or insurance company
- Advanced knowledge of Excel, VBA, SQL
- Good understanding of risk methodologies used in banking or insurance industry
- Good understanding of actuarial and accounting
- Ability to extract and apply ideas from academic publications
- Communication skills to convey complex information verbally and in writing at the appropriate level of Interpersonal detail for each audience
- People skills to manage/lead projects and the ability to inspire the team and provide insights to ALM colleagues.
Preferred Qualifications
- Graduate degree in finance, economics, actuarial science, or related field
- Expertise across fixed income, structured products, and private credit, including risk/return drivers and portfolio integration
- Strong command of investment risk modeling including stress testing
- Deep understanding of life insurance liabilities, capital frameworks (RBC/Bermuda), and rating‑agency methodologies
- Executive‑level communication skills; proven ability to present to boards, management committees, and senior leadership
- Proven ability to manage complex workflows, influence senior stakeholders, and drive execution in a regulated environment
Working Conditions
- Hybrid Office Environment
- Occasional Travel <10%
Compensation
The Salary for this position generally ranges between $250,000 - $275,000 annually. Please note that the salary range is a good faith estimate for this position and actual starting pay is determined by several factors including qualifications, experience, geography, work location designation (in-office, hybrid, remote) and operational needs. Salary may vary above and below the stated amounts, as permitted by applicable law.
Additionally, this position is typically eligible for an Annual Bonus based on the Company Bonus Plan/Individual Performance and is at the Company’s discretion.
Applicants must possess legal authorization to work for our company in the U.S. without the need for immigration, sponsorship or otherwise serving as an employer of record for immigration employment purposes. At this time, this role is not eligible for immigration-related employment authorization sponsorship.
This is a hybrid position requiring three days in office per week in one of our hub locations. Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.
Disclaimer:
Beware of fake job offers!
We’ve been alerted to scammers impersonating Transamerica recruiters, particularly for remote positions. Please note:
- We will never request personal information such as ID or payment for equipment upfront.
- Official offers are sent via DocuSign following a verbal offer—not through text or email.
This job description is not a contract of employment nor for any specific job responsibilities. The Company may change, add to, remove, or revoke the terms of this job description at its discretion. Managers may assign other duties and responsibilities as needed. In the event an employee or applicant requests or requires an accommodation to perform job functions, the applicable HR Business Partner should be contacted to evaluate the accommodation request.
What We Offer
For eligible employees, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both the personal and financial well-being of our employees.
Compensation Benefits
Competitive Pay
Bonus for Eligible Employees
Benefits Package
Pension Plan
401k Match
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Tuition Reimbursement
Disability Insurance
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Employee Discounts
Career Training & Development Opportunities
Health and Work/Life Balance Benefits
Paid Time Off starting at 160 hours annually for employees in their first year of service.
Ten (10) paid holidays per year (typically mirroring the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) holidays).
Be Well Company holistic wellness program, which includes Wellness Coaching and Reward Dollars
Parental Leave – fifteen (15) days of paid parental leave per calendar year to eligible employees with at least one year of service at the time of birth, placement of an adopted child, or placement of a foster care child.
Adoption Assistance
Employee Assistance Program
Back-Up Care Program
PTO for Volunteer Hours
Employee Matching Gifts Program
Employee Resource Groups
Inclusion and Diversity Programs
Employee Recognition Program
Referral Bonus Programs
Inclusion & Diversity
We believe our commitment to diversity and inclusion creates a work environment filled with exceptional individuals. We’re thrilled to have been recognized for our efforts through the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, Dave Thomas Adoption Friendly Advocate, and several Seramount lists, including the Inclusion Index, 100 Best Companies for Working Parents, Best Companies for Dads, and Top 75 Companies for Executive Women.
To foster a culture of inclusivity throughout our workforce, workplace, and marketplace, Transamerica offers a wide range of diversity and inclusion programs. This includes our company-sponsored, employee-driven Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which are formed around a shared interest or a common characteristic of diversity. ERGs are open to all employees. They provide a supportive environment to help us better appreciate our similarities and differences and understand how they benefit us all.
Giving Back
We believe our responsibilities extend beyond our corporate walls. That's why we created the Aegon Transamerica Foundation in 1994. Through a mix of financial grants and the volunteer efforts of our employees, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations focused on the things that matter most to our people in the communities where we live and work.
Transamerica’s Parent Company
Aegon acquired the Transamerica business in 1999. Since its start in 1844, Aegon has grown into an international company serving more than 23.9 million people across the globe.* It offers investment, protection, and retirement solutions, always with a clear purpose: Helping people live their best lives. As a leading global investor and employer, the company seeks to have a positive impact by addressing critical environmental and societal issues, with a focus on climate change and inclusion and diversity.
- As of December 31, 2023
See All 17 Head of Risk Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Head of Risk JobsHead of Risk Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Banking & Financial Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in head of risk jobs.
- 7 or more years of progressive experience in risk management or a related field
- Deep knowledge of enterprise risk frameworks such as COSO or ISO 31000
- Experience presenting risk assessments and appetite statements to executive or board audiences
- Professional certification such as FRM, CRM, or PRM strongly preferred
- Proficiency with governance, risk, and compliance platforms and reporting tools
- Bachelor's degree in finance, business, or a quantitative field, with a master's or MBA often preferred
Tips for Your Head of Risk Job Search
Tailor your resume to risk frameworks
Head of risk hiring managers look for specific frameworks you've owned, such as COSO, ISO 31000, or Basel III. Name the framework, the scope of your implementation, and the measurable outcome. Generic risk experience without framework attribution gets filtered out fast.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists head of risk openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Lead with your risk appetite narrative
Interviewers at the VP and C-suite level will ask how you've defined and communicated risk appetite to a board or executive team. Prepare a concrete example from your own experience before you walk in, not a textbook definition.
Target openings by regulatory environment
A head of risk role at a federally regulated bank operates differently from one at a Series B fintech. When searching, filter by industry first so your cover letter and answers reflect the specific regulatory constraints, whether OCC, SEC, or state-level, that employer actually faces.
Align your credentials to the posting level
FRM, CRM, and PRM certifications signal different specializations. Check whether the job listing emphasizes financial, operational, or enterprise risk and lead with the credential that matches. Listing all three without context can dilute rather than strengthen your application.
Negotiate scope before you negotiate compensation
Head of risk offers vary widely based on reporting structure, whether you own first line, second line, or both. Confirm the reporting line, team size, and mandate before accepting. A narrower scope at a lower level sets your career trajectory back regardless of base pay.
Head of Risk Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most head of risks?
The most active employers for head of risks right now are Citi, Airwallex, and Visa, and the most openings are in New York, California, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is especially concentrated in financial services, insurance carriers, and large healthcare systems.
How many head of risk jobs are remote?
About 100% of head of risk openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the seniority and board-level interaction the role requires. Operational risk and enterprise risk management functions are more likely to offer remote flexibility than credit risk or model risk roles, which often require on-site collaboration with lending or quant teams.
How do you become a head of risk?
Start by building deep expertise in one risk discipline, such as credit, operational, or enterprise risk, and earn a recognized credential like the FRM or CRM. Progress through analyst and manager roles where you own quantifiable risk outcomes. Then move into senior positions that require presenting to leadership, owning cross-functional risk committees, and advising on strategic decisions. That combination of technical depth and executive communication is what qualifies candidates for head-level appointments.
Can you get a head of risk job without direct risk leadership experience?
It is possible if you can demonstrate that you've influenced risk decisions at a senior level, even without a formal title. Candidates who have led risk-adjacent functions, such as internal audit, regulatory compliance, or financial controls, and who have cross-functional exposure to risk committees or board reporting, are competitive for director-level risk roles. Pairing that experience with an FRM or equivalent certification closes the credentialing gap that hiring managers watch for.
What does the head of risk interview process look like?
The process typically runs three to five rounds. An initial screen with a talent acquisition contact is followed by a structured interview with the CFO, CRO, or a direct peer focused on your technical risk framework knowledge. Expect a case study or presentation round where you are asked to assess a hypothetical risk scenario or present a risk appetite framework. Final rounds usually involve a panel with board risk committee members or cross-functional leaders who evaluate your communication style and strategic judgment.
Where can I find and apply to head of risk jobs?
You can find and apply to head of risk jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Find the roles that match your experience and specialization, then apply directly to each listing from the page.
See All 17 Head of Risk Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Head of Risk Jobs