Model Validation Director

Ankura•Nashville, TN

2d•$85,000 - $200,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Ankura is a team of excellence founded on innovation and growth. The Model Validation Director 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., data quality testing, data reconciliation, above-the-line and below-the-line testing, statistical analysis) which will aid in the independent validation of financial crimes detection and sanctions screening models. Testing could include conceptual design review, 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. Ideally this role will be hybrid based out of one of our locations; however, remote locations will be considered on a case to case basis.

Requirements

Bachelor's and/or advanced degree with a concentration in Data Management or Analytics; Finance; Computer Science, Management Information Systems, or Statistics/Mathematics
Experience with data extraction and analysis tools such as SQL/Python
5+ years of experience within the Financial Crime industry
5+ 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 in Python and/or SQL
Ability to work with IT and business personnel
Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship now or in the future

Nice To Haves

Prior professional services/consulting firm experience
Experience with visualizing and communicating analytical results using technologies such as Tableau, Power BI, Cognos, QlikView, Spotfire, and D3

Responsibilities

Conduct model validation, implementation, tuning and optimization of AML and Sanctions models, on and off site, issue written reports and workpapers, and communicate results with customers
Conduct data validation exercises such as data quality testing and data reconciliation
Develop test scripts corresponding to scope of the testing engagement and business expectations
Conduct statistical analysis, outlier detection, sensitivity analysis, above-the-line and below-the-line testing on financial transaction data, transaction monitoring alert data, and sanctions screening alert data
Track and validate the implementation of remedial actions submitted by the remedial actions owners to verify that issues were remediated; follow up as necessary
Monitor regulatory activities and industry developments to identify trends and emerging issues that may impact the clients and may require changes to the compliance testing program
Build, enhance or localize model risk management programs including coverage assessments, change management, access management procedures, internal controls, and transaction monitoring and watchlist systems
Assist clients with day‐to‐day compliance requirements
Serve as subject matter expert to customers
Assist with cultivating new business with existing and new clients, participating in proposal development, and networking