Senior Model Governance & Operations Manager

M&T Bank•Buffalo, NY

About The Position

Overview: Responsible for management and oversight of one or more of key pillars within model risk governance and operation teams to create, manage and enforce policy and procedures based on regulatory requirements and industry best practices or handles day to day operations and model inventory oversight. Ensures efficient execution of the model risk management program through implementation and execution of workflows and project management, model meta data management and reporting. Primary Responsibilities: Manage and update the Model Risk Management Policy, framework, committee charter, procedures, guidelines, template, etc. periodically (at least annually) to align with prevailing regulatory guidance and expectations as well as with industry practices. Manage the administration of the Model Risk Oversight Committee (“MROC”) to ensure that all participants engage and provide effective challenge. Create relevant and effective model risk materials including periodic reporting for MROC, Management Risk Committee (MRC), the Risk Committee of the Board as well as materials for reporting to Internal Audit and Regulators. Enhance and / or manage risk appetite statement (“RAS”) and Key Risk Indicator reporting at the Bank and Business Unit level, oversee all business intelligence needs of the Bank as it pertains to Model Risk. Provide, manage, and update enterprise-wide training periodically to all stakeholders including senior management and Board to allow for understanding of model risk including roles and responsibilities, plan and prepare ongoing communications and updates related to the MRM Program. Manage and enhance a comprehensive and intuitive Model Risk Intranet SharePoint website. Work very closely and collaboratively with Model Validation and Model Operations teams to ensure comprehensive understanding of the state of model risk and effective implementation of the model risk management program. Manage centralized reporting to enhance the Issues Management area for MRM, oversee planning and remediation of all key model risk issues, including issuance of thematic findings Develop strong relationships with key constituents in the Bank to ensure that the Model Risk framework is comprehensively applied throughout the organization. Establish and develop strong relationships with regulators and auditors and manage exam requests to ensure clear, transparent, and comprehensive communication between the Bank and examiners/auditors Develop strong relationships with counterparts in the industry including effectively leveraging groups like BPI and ABA to further understanding of prevailing challenges and best practices in model risk management. Strong people manager who can manage and motivate the Governance & Reporting Team to consistently provide discretionary effort. Exercise usual authority of a manager concerning staffing, performance appraisals, promotions, salary recommendations, performance management and terminations. Adhere to applicable compliance/operational risk controls in accordance with Company or regulatory standards and policies. Promote an environment that supports belonging and reflects the M&T Bank brand. Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable. Complete other related duties as assigned. Scope: The Model Risk Management Department (“MRMD”) is a 2nd line of defense function in the Risk Division responsible for managing model risk for all models at M&T. Position will work closely and collaboratively with Model Validation and Model Operations teams to ensure comprehensive understanding of the state of model risk and effective implementation of the model risk management program. Incumbent will also direct department teams and project work, strategically work with model stakeholders, create relationships with business partners to further department goals, oversee data and process workflows and changes thereto, ensure that internal control standards, audit, and regulatory needs are met, develop and execute strategic plans to ensure that department processes are in line with various regulatory and industry expectations to manage model risk.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, mathematics or business-related field and minimum of 9 years’ relevant work experience to include 3 years managerial experience, or in lieu of a degree, a combined minimum of 13 years’ higher education and relevant work experience to include a minimum of 3 years managerial experience.
Ability to write basic SQL scripts to extract relevant data.
Advanced skills using Microsoft Word to create professional documents.
Create powerful self-explanatory reports and presentations.
Proficiency in Excel and experience using business analytic tools (e.g., Tableau, PowerBI, etc.).

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree or certifications like PRM, FRM, or CFA.
10+ years of relevant banking / financial services experience preferred. Relevant experience could include – model governance, model validation, internal audit, or program/process management of policy-driven key banking functions.
5+ years of managerial experience.
Experience managing working groups and committees involving senior and executive management.

Responsibilities

Manage and update the Model Risk Management Policy, framework, committee charter, procedures, guidelines, template, etc. periodically (at least annually) to align with prevailing regulatory guidance and expectations as well as with industry practices.
Manage the administration of the Model Risk Oversight Committee (“MROC”) to ensure that all participants engage and provide effective challenge.
Create relevant and effective model risk materials including periodic reporting for MROC, Management Risk Committee (MRC), the Risk Committee of the Board as well as materials for reporting to Internal Audit and Regulators.
Enhance and / or manage risk appetite statement (“RAS”) and Key Risk Indicator reporting at the Bank and Business Unit level, oversee all business intelligence needs of the Bank as it pertains to Model Risk.
Provide, manage, and update enterprise-wide training periodically to all stakeholders including senior management and Board to allow for understanding of model risk including roles and responsibilities, plan and prepare ongoing communications and updates related to the MRM Program.
Manage and enhance a comprehensive and intuitive Model Risk Intranet SharePoint website.
Work very closely and collaboratively with Model Validation and Model Operations teams to ensure comprehensive understanding of the state of model risk and effective implementation of the model risk management program.
Manage centralized reporting to enhance the Issues Management area for MRM, oversee planning and remediation of all key model risk issues, including issuance of thematic findings
Develop strong relationships with key constituents in the Bank to ensure that the Model Risk framework is comprehensively applied throughout the organization.
Establish and develop strong relationships with regulators and auditors and manage exam requests to ensure clear, transparent, and comprehensive communication between the Bank and examiners/auditors
Develop strong relationships with counterparts in the industry including effectively leveraging groups like BPI and ABA to further understanding of prevailing challenges and best practices in model risk management.
Strong people manager who can manage and motivate the Governance & Reporting Team to consistently provide discretionary effort.
Exercise usual authority of a manager concerning staffing, performance appraisals, promotions, salary recommendations, performance management and terminations.
Adhere to applicable compliance/operational risk controls in accordance with Company or regulatory standards and policies.
Promote an environment that supports belonging and reflects the M&T Bank brand.
Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable.
Complete other related duties as assigned.