Financial Crime Model Validation Manager

Crowe•Chicago, IL

About The Position

Consulting is a dynamic business focused on solving problems for our clients and serving our core markets through innovative solutions. As technology and AI continue to reshape the consulting landscape, we are looking for individuals who are curious, adaptable, and eager to learn. At Crowe, consultants are expected to build both technical and transferable skills, think critically, and use technology to solve real business problems. In this role, you will continuously learn, collaborate across teams, and explore how tools, including emerging AI capabilities, can improve efficiency, insights, and client outcomes. In management at Crowe, you play a pivotal role in leading teams, guiding project execution, and deepening client relationships. You are expected to contribute to account planning, identify opportunities to add value, and ensure high-quality delivery. As your responsibilities expand, you take on broader account ownership, balancing project leadership with growing involvement in client strategy and solution development. Success in this role comes from a growth mindset, strong communication skills, advanced critical thinking, and the ability to navigate new challenges with confidence. The AML Model Validation and Testing Manager is expected to lead and execute model validation testing processes on systems which support Financial Crime programs, including transaction monitoring, customer risk assessment/rating, fraud detection and watchlist screening/interdiction systems. Responsibilities will include designing and/or updating testing strategies (e.g., creation of or enhancement to risk and control matrices) which will aid in the independent testing of these systems. Testing could include control conceptual design testing, control operating effectiveness testing, and/or issue validation testing. Candidates will be required to execute analytical projects working closely with senior stakeholders and clients to deliver value to financial institution clients. Testing in the Model Validation domain will include: Review of model governance, including processes surrounding their effectiveness Critical challenge of model design and development Testing of data inputs, including data quality issues, data mapping, ETL processes, balancing and reconciliation controls, data lineage, throughput, and backtesting Testing that the model logic is working as intended Assessment of model user access controls, key performance indicators (KPIs), and alert review processes Evaluation of model performance, including tuning and sanctions sensitivity testing Documentation of testing using standardized work papers and model validation reports and other client deliverables Engagement Management: provide oversight and guidance to the testing team for efficient engagement delivery, maintain engagement budget, provide timely reporting of engagement progress to the client and engagement executive.

Requirements

Bachelor's and/or advanced degree with a concentration in Data Management or Analytics; Finance; Computer Science, Management Information Systems, or Statistics/Mathematics.
4+ years of experience within the Financial Crime industry.
4+ years of model validation, AML system implementation, data lineage, or quality testing experience.
Basic knowledge of the software development lifecycle.
Demonstrated experience with data analysis, business analysis, and data validation, activities with financial services institutions.
Demonstrated experience with performing independent testing on models, including an understanding of risks/controls and experience documenting testing within workpapers.
Experience executing model validations of financial crime systems, including but not limited to: Verafin, Actimize, BAM/BAM+, YellowHammer, FCRM, FinanSeer, FiServ, Lexis Nexis Bridger, FircoSoft, Quantexa, Palantir, Accuity, RDC, and others.
Demonstrated experience and knowledge of banking and compliance systems.
Demonstrated experience working in a results-driven environment within a team environment.
Strong organizational, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
Ability to actively engage with stakeholders to collect information, and issues, and make recommendations for business and process improvements.
Highly effective verbal and written communication skills and the ability to interact with all levels of management.
Strong teamwork, communication, and customer service skills.
Strong analytical, attention to detail, organizational, and core project management skills.
Possesses knowledge of the challenges of data cleansing and integration.
Ability to work with IT and business personnel.
Travel as required by client needs.

Nice To Haves

Prior professional services/consulting firm experience
Experience with data extraction and analysis tools such as SQL/Python.
Experience with visualizing and communicating analytical results using technologies such as Tableau, Power BI, Cognos, QlikView, Spotfire, and D3

Responsibilities

Lead and execute model validation testing processes on systems which support Financial Crime programs, including transaction monitoring, customer risk assessment/rating, fraud detection and watchlist screening/interdiction systems.
Design and/or update testing strategies (e.g., creation of or enhancement to risk and control matrices) which will aid in the independent testing of these systems.
Execute analytical projects working closely with senior stakeholders and clients to deliver value to financial institution clients.
Review model governance, including processes surrounding their effectiveness.
Critically challenge model design and development.
Test data inputs, including data quality issues, data mapping, ETL processes, balancing and reconciliation controls, data lineage, throughput, and backtesting.
Test that the model logic is working as intended.
Assess model user access controls, key performance indicators (KPIs), and alert review processes.
Evaluate model performance, including tuning and sanctions sensitivity testing.
Document testing using standardized work papers and model validation reports and other client deliverables.
Provide oversight and guidance to the testing team for efficient engagement delivery.
Maintain engagement budget.
Provide timely reporting of engagement progress to the client and engagement executive.