Senior Director of Model Validation

Summary

Join us as a Senior Director of Model Validation, driving innovation in model risk management and ensuring compliance. You will conduct comprehensive technical reviews of models, develop and maintain the model inventory, and present validation results to stakeholders. Lead the evaluation of vendor solutions to enhance model risk management, stay updated on industry best practices, and oversee AI model risk assessment. Foster collaboration to integrate model validation insights into decision-making. This highly visible role requires strong communication and technical skills, impacting senior management and regulators.

Requirements

• Master’s/PhD degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, Operations Research, Engineering, or a related quantitative field
• 8-10 years of experience in modeling and/or validation within the financial services industry, with a strong emphasis on FCRA-regulated data (e.g., credit bureau attributes)
• Extensive expertise in credit scorecard and survival model methodologies, along with familiarity with macroeconomic data and CECL models
• Proven ability to navigate and assess AI model risks, including a deep understanding of fairness, interpretability, robustness, and governance in AI applications
• Strong communication skills, including written, verbal, and data storytelling, with a demonstrated ability to interact effectively with regulators, senior management, and technical teams
• Proficiency in SQL, R, and Python programming, with experience manipulating large datasets

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive technical reviews of individual models, including formulating questions, engaging stakeholders, performing technical analyses, and identifying areas for improvement
• Develop and maintain the model inventory, ensuring its accuracy and relevance, and design an aggregated model risk dashboard to provide a holistic view of the organization’s model risk landscape
• Present individual validation results and aggregated model risk assessments to stakeholders, senior management, and regulators, articulating both technical insights and actionable recommendations
• Lead the evaluation and integration of modern vendor solutions to enhance model risk management practices and support overall efficiency improvements
• Stay abreast of industry best practices, regulatory expectations, and emerging trends, including advancements in AI and machine learning models, and provide cost-efficient recommendations for resource allocation and model roadmaps
• Oversee the assessment and management of AI model risks, ensuring robust validation frameworks are in place to address explainability, fairness, robustness, and governance challenges
• Foster cross-functional collaboration to integrate model validation insights into broader strategic and operational decision-making processes

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure, Databricks, and analytics in a cloud environment
• A track record of implementing modern vendor solutions in the model risk space, driving efficiencies, and improving organizational capabilities
• Leadership and team management experience, with a collaborative approach to achieving goals and fostering innovation