Senior Model Risk Manager - Validation

You will lead all the independent validation of models across the Bank. As part of the second line of defence, the Senior Model Risk Manager - Validation will be responsible for designing, prioritising, and delivering the model validation plan to ensure effective development and ongoing use of models across Vanquis Bank. The role will work closely with the first line model owners, users, and developers to promote a balanced risk-reward approach that ensures the Groups long-term stability and success.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee and lead the team’s independent validation of models used across the Bank to assess their conceptual soundness, technical design, and ongoing performance.
• Create a positive culture driving the highest standards in model validation and management.
• Attend meetings with key stakeholders and senior leadership to deliver validation reports and effectively communicating model risk.
• Be a champion of effective model maintenance and management through development and ongoing validation in addition to driving discussion and challenge in model monitoring reviews.
• Support validation managers to identify model drift, weaknesses, non-compliance, business risks or control weakness and to communicate these to the relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure models are developed and maintained to be compliant.
• Deputise for the Head of Credit and Model Risk Oversight as required.

• Create a co-operative and effective relationship with senior management and colleagues across the business always assisting them to comply with relevant regulations and achieve fair customer outcomes.
• Design a robust feedback loop that results in a no-surprise approach to validation reporting.
• Maintain an understanding of relevant business areas under review through asking intuitive questions and keeping regulatory requirements and the customer in mind.
• Ensure colleagues have a clear understanding of the business objectives and how their role contributes to them.
• Manage resource across the team to deliver the review work in line with operational risk objectives.
• Each quarter, re-prioritise activity based on the needs of the business and available resource in the team. 
• Support the model risk validation managers in delivering their remit as required.
• Build capability of the team by supporting and coaching through effective performance management practices
• Effectively communicate with Head of Credit and Model Risk Oversight to provide feedback on colleague performance, succession plans and overall team performance.
• Ensure the right people are in the right roles and that skills are being utilised effectively to build high quality teams.
• Effectively manage the team in all other aspects of their role including attendance and behaviours and have regular wellbeing discussions.
• Create an inclusive culture which promotes diversity and VBG values.

Experience required:

• Significant previous working experience as a senior risk professional
• Strong analytical skills and proven ability to produce accurate and comprehensive risk reporting.
• Experience of developing and leading the implementation of risk management practices and risk culture improvement in related or similar environments. 
• Degree level or other relevant business/professional qualification. Experience management of risk-based monitoring or audit in a regulated environment

• Professional experience in model development or model validation.
• Experience of a broad range of model types, including forecasting, IFRS 9, scorecards, and pricing.
• Ability to drive and constructively challenge stakeholders on their assumptions, to identify workable solutions
• Ability to drive and constructively challenge stakeholders on their assumptions, to identify workable solutions.
• Ability to quickly understand business issues / risk events.
• Ability to deliver effective presentations and facilitate interactive meetings / workshops.
• Sound judgement and ability to operate independently and objectively.
• Excellent knowledge of credit cards, motor finance, deposits and loans.
• Able to lead a management team to deliver high quality, accurate work to deadlines.
• Able to delegate responsibility.
• Ability to deputise for the Head of Function and be the credible face of the department with all stakeholders.
• Analytical thinker: able to interpret MI/BI and use it for sound decision making.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) with the ability to influence, negotiate and constructively challenge at all levels.
• Proven ability to effectively plan and organise work effectively and prioritise deadlines whilst working at a fast pace.
• Experience of designing and overseeing operational risk frameworks.
• Experience of approving reports for delivery to relevant stakeholders and presentation at any relevant governance and oversight committees/forums
• Experience of collating information regarding risk management / Assurance outputs and performance and producing effective summary for relevant oversight committees / forums
• Experience of coaching and upskilling members of staff
• Ability to operate independently and objectively.
• PC Literacy to include middle management level MS Office Word, Excel, Power Point.
• Strong ability to work with peers and senior colleagues from the Risk and Compliance Functions to contribute and develop the risk aware culture of the business.