Manager, IT Risk Operations

Wilson Sonsini is the premier legal advisor to technology, life sciences, and other growth enterprises worldwide. We represent companies at every stage of development, from entrepreneurial start-ups to multibillion-dollar global corporations, as well as the venture firms, private equity firms, and investment banks that finance and advise them. The firm has approximately 1,100 attorneys in 17 offices: 13 in the U.S., two in China, and two in Europe. Our broad spectrum of practices and entrepreneurial spirit allow exceptional opportunities for professional achievement and career growth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

This high-impact position in the Governance, Risk & Compliance function sits at the center of the firm's technology, security, and operational ecosystem. Managing a small team, you will work closely with senior leaders across IT, Security Engineering, General Counsel, and firm leadership to shape how risk is understood, measured, and managed. The role can be 100% remote or hybrid-in person if located near a physical office. Strengthen IT Governance & Controls Lead the development of executive-level reporting on IT risk, compliance posture, and operational performance Build and evolve KPI/KRI dashboards that provide real-time visibility into risk trends and control effectiveness Translate complex IT and security data into meaningful insights for decision making Ensure adherence to IT policies, standards, and leading frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001) Own and evolve the firm's IT risk register and Risk & Control Self-Assessment (RCSA) program Identify emerging and systemic risks across IT, security, privacy, and operational processes Incident Governance & Investigations Partner with General Counsel, Security, and IT to lead internal investigations Own ITSM Governance & ServiceNow Analytics Oversee governance and reporting across the IT Service Management (ITSM) ecosystem Analyze incident, change, and problem management data to identify trends and improvement opportunities Drive workflow optimization and automation within ServiceNow Vendor Risk Management Review and advise on vendor agreements Enhance vendor risk processes, including risk tiering, assessments, and monitoring Identify opportunities to streamline processes, enhance reporting, and improve governance Introduce data-driven approaches to risk management and operational oversight Perform related duties as assigned or directed by supervisor Maintain compliance with all firm policies and procedures Education and/or

Work Experience Requirements:

Bachelor's degree preferred Seven years of experience in IT risk, security compliance, technology audit, or IT governance preferred Experience operating in complex, regulated environments (e.g., law firms, financial services, consulting) preferred Proven ability to lead reporting, analytics, and governance initiatives Familiarity with ServiceNow and ITSM reporting including understanding of incident, change, and problem management lifecycles Experience with security and collaboration platforms such as Microsoft 365, Purview and email security tools Working knowledge of frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2 Strong understanding of control design, risk registers, RCSA programs, and audit response Basic understanding of privacy regulations CISA, CISSP, CRISC, CTPRM and/or ITIL preferred The primary location for this job posting is in Palo Alto, but other locations may be listed. The actual base pay offered will depend upon a variety of factors, including but not limited to the selected candidate's qualifications, years of relevant experience, level of education, professional certifications and licenses, and work location. The anticipated pay range for this position is as follows:

Palo Alto, New York, San Francisco:

$163,200 - $220,800 per year.

Austin, Boston, Boulder, Century City, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, San Diego, Seattle:

$147,050 - $198,950 per year. The compensation for this position may include a discretionary year-end merit bonus based on performance. We offer a highly competitive salary and benefits package. Benefits information can be found here. Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). careers.wsgr.com Wilson Sonsini is the premier legal advisor to technology, life sciences, and growth enterprises worldwide, as well as the venture firms, private equity firms, and investment banks that finance them. We represent more than 300 public enterprises and 3,000 private companies in a wide range of today's cutting-edge industries, from AI and fintech to life sciences and mobility. For more than 60 years, our attorneys and professional staff have created a unique working environment. With deep roots in the fast-paced and innovative world of Silicon Valley, the firm fosters an entrepreneurial spirit and team-oriented approach for all employees, providing professional and personal development opportunities and encouraging all departments to promote a stable and optimal work/life balance. Wilson Sonsini is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce globally. We have built a culture in which employees of all backgrounds, viewpoints, and experiences are encouraged and empowered to achieve their maximum potential. Our firm is consistently recognized among the top law firms in annual diversity rankings. For example, Wilson Sonsini ranked No. 2 among firms with more than 600 attorneys in Law360's 2023 Diversity Snapshot. Additionally, in 2024, for the sixth consecutive year, Wilson Sonsini achieved Mansfield Plus Certification, and in 2023, for the fourth consecutive year, the firm achieved a top score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Corporate Equality Index. We are also dedicated to enhancing the communities in which we live and work by providing legal services, financial support, and volunteer services to worthy agencies and individuals in need. In 2023, Wilson Sonsini attorneys and staff provided more than 95,000 pro bono hours. and participated in more than 140 community service projects. The Wilson Sonsini Foundation contributed nearly $2 million to almost 120 law-related organizations and nearly 160 community organizations in 2023. Wilson Sonsini has 17 offices in 17 technology and business hubs worldwide. Austin, TX Boston, MA Boulder, CO Brussels, Belgium Century City, CA Hong Kong London Los Angeles, CA New York, NY Palo Alto, CA Salt Lake City, UT San Diego, CA San Francisco, CA Seattle, WA Shanghai (China) Washington, D.C. Wilmington, DE