Product Due Diligence & Risk Approval Lead

Product due diligence & Risk approval Lead Plano, TX Position Summary We are seeking a highly experienced VP – Product Due Diligence & Risk Approval Lead to oversee the execution, governance, and control of product due diligence and risk approval processes for new product launches, enhancements, and strategic initiatives. This role will ensure all approval requirements, risk assessments, and pre-go-live conditions are completed and validated before product deployment. The successful candidate will drive structured governance across Product, Risk, Compliance, Legal, Technology, Operations, and other stakeholder groups, ensuring launch readiness through disciplined execution, transparent reporting, and effective risk management. Key Responsibilities Product Due Diligence & Risk Governance • Lead end-to-end due diligence and risk approval activities for new products, product enhancements, and business initiatives. • Ensure adherence to established product governance, risk management, and approval frameworks. • Coordinate cross-functional reviews and approvals across Product, Risk, Compliance, Legal, Technology, Operations, and Control functions. • Manage governance checkpoints and approval workflows throughout the product lifecycle. Launch Readiness & Pre-Go-Live Management • Track, monitor, and drive closure of all pre-go-live conditions, dependencies, approvals, and action items. • Validate supporting evidence and documentation required for approval and launch readiness. • Ensure all risks, controls, regulatory obligations, and operational readiness requirements are addressed prior to implementation. • Maintain approval attestations and ensure completion of required sign-offs. Program Execution & Stakeholder Coordination • Facilitate working sessions, governance meetings, risk reviews, and escalation forums. • Drive accountability across stakeholders to ensure timely completion of deliverables and milestones. • Proactively identify risks, issues, dependencies, and blockers impacting launch timelines. • Escalate critical concerns and support informed decision-making through structured governance processes. Governance Documentation & Reporting • Maintain governance artifacts including: • Workplans and project schedules • RAID (Risks, Assumptions, Issues, Dependencies) logs • Decision logs • Action trackers • Approval dashboards • Launch readiness reports • Ensure due diligence documentation is complete, accurate, audit-ready, and aligned with process standards. • Prepare executive-level status reports, governance updates, and escalation materials for senior leadership. Risk & Control Oversight • Support risk assessment, control validation, and compliance review activities. • Monitor risk mitigation actions and ensure closure of identified gaps. • Partner with control functions to validate regulatory, operational, technology, and compliance requirements. • Promote strong governance, transparency, and control discipline throughout the approval process. Required Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Risk Management, Technology, or a related field. • 8+ years of experience in Product Governance, Risk Management, Program Management, Product Approval, or Operational Risk functions. • Strong experience managing product due diligence, approval workflows, and launch readiness activities. • Proven ability to coordinate complex cross-functional programs within regulated environments. • Experience preparing executive-level governance and risk reporting. • Strong understanding of risk, compliance, control, and governance frameworks. • Exceptional stakeholder management, communication, and organizational skills. • Ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail. Preferred Qualifications • Experience within Banking, Financial Services, FinTech, Payments, or other highly regulated industries. • Knowledge of product lifecycle governance and risk approval processes. • Experience supporting audit, regulatory, or compliance-driven programs. • Familiarity with operational risk, compliance controls, and change management frameworks. • Relevant certifications such as PMP, PRINCE2, PMI-ACP, CSM, CRISC, or similar are advantageous. Technical Skills • Jira • Confluence • Governance dashboard and reporting tools • Risk, issue, and dependency tracking frameworks • Workflow and process management platforms • Documentation and evidence management systems • Compliance and control management systems • Microsoft Excel (advanced) • Microsoft PowerPoint • Microsoft Teams and collaboration tools Key Competencies • Product Due Diligence • Product Governance • Risk Approval Management • Launch Readiness • Cross-Functional Program Execution • Stakeholder Management • Risk & Control Oversight • Executive Reporting • Governance Frameworks • Decision & Escalation Management • Documentation Governance • Problem Solving & Analytical Thinking • Organizational Discipline • Communication & Influence