Senior Manager, Credit Risk Model Validation

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Seeking a skilled and experienced professional to join our Model Risk Management Team as a Senior Manager, Model Risk, Credit Risk. As a Senior Manager in our second-line governance and control, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing the validation of credit risk models, such as credit adjudication and account management models, Capital, Stress Testing and Allowance models. This dynamic position requires balance of leadership as both people manager and individual contributor.

Key Role Responsibilities:

• Model Risk Review and Effective Challenge: You perform the validation of models and assess the model risk to confirm model appropriateness and capability for a designated portfolio. You are responsible for providing effective challenge to the credit risk models during model development and communicating decisions regarding model use to the business to ensure transparency and understanding of models and model risks. You assess the models’ capabilities, stress points and limitations; you assess the associated model risk and the controls in place to mitigate identified risks.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Effective communication is crucial in this role. You will manage relationships with model developers, owners, and users, influencing and advising on model risk-related matters. Your ability to explain complex technical concepts in everyday language will set you apart.

• Project Management: Recommends business priorities, advises on resource requirements, and develops roadmap for strategic execution. Manages resources and leads the execution of strategic initiatives to deliver on business and financial goals.

• Change Management: BMO is at the forefront of innovation in model risk management. You will be part of the team that drives change by embracing new technology platforms, tools, and operating models. Leads change management programs of varying scope and type, including readiness assessments, planning, stakeholder management, execution, evaluation, and sustainment of initiatives.

• Regulatory Expertise: Acts as a subject matter expert on relevant regulations and policies. May network with industry contacts to gain competitive insights and best practices. Interprets new regulations and assesses impacts to the program / portfolio validation framework.

• Risk Understanding: You will need to connect the dots between technical issues and business considerations.

What we are looking for:

• A postgraduate degree in quantitative fields such as statistics, mathematics, financial mathematics, data science, actuarial sciences or related fields.

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in model development, validation, or governance within a financial institution, particularly in the credit risk area.

• Certifications: While qualifications like CFA are helpful, they are not mandatory.

• Experience in credit risk models, including AIRB, Stress Testing & loss forecasting, and Adjudication.

• Proficiency in a programming language such as Python, R, and SAS

• Proficiency in working with relational databases – SQL or Oracle

• Working with Big data tools and Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure) is a plus.

Our team values flexibility, collaboration and in-person engagement. This position is located in Toronto and offers flexibility with a hybrid work arrangement where the successful candidate will spend at least 2 days per week on-site and the other days remote.

Performs validation of models and assesses model risk to confirm model appropriateness and capability for a designated portfolio. Provides effective challenge during model development and communicates decisions regarding model use to the business to ensure transparency and understanding of models and model risks. Assesses model’s capabilities, stress points and limitations; assesses the associated model risk and the controls in place to mitigate identified risks.

• Fosters a culture aligned to BMO purpose, values and strategy and role models BMO values and behaviours in all that they do.

• Ensures alignment between values and behaviour that fosters diversity and inclusion.

• Regularly connects work to BMO’s purpose, sets inspirational goals, defines clear expected outcomes, and ensures clear accountability for follow through.

• Builds interdependent teams that collaborate across functional and operating groups to create the highest value for all stakeholders.

• Attracts, retains, and enables the career development of top talent.

• Improves team performance, recognizes and rewards performance, coaches employees, supports their development, and manages poor performance.

• Provides strategic input into business decisions as a trusted advisor.

• Makes recommendations to senior leaders on strategy and new initiatives, based on an in-depth understanding of the business/group.

• Acts as a subject matter expert on relevant regulations and policies.

• May network with industry contacts to gain competitive insights and best practices.

• Interprets new regulations and assesses impacts to the program / portfolio validation framework.

• Influences and negotiates to achieve business objectives.

• Identifies emerging issues and trends to inform decision-making.

• Recommends business priorities, advises on resource requirements and develops roadmap for strategic execution.

• Manages resources and leads the execution of strategic initiatives to deliver on business and financial goals.

• Measures the effectiveness of validation and monitoring framework; recommends changes as required.

• Conducts independent analysis and assessment to resolve strategic issues.

• Acts as the prime subject matter expert for internal/external stakeholders.

• Represents the model validation program / portfolio for internal/external regulatory audits and/or examinations.

• Ensures alignment between stakeholders.

• Designs and produces regular and ad-hoc reports, and dashboards.

• Develops and manages comprehensive information management systems; designs and/or leads initiatives to improve processes, analysis and reporting.

• Defines business requirements for analytics & reporting to ensure data insights inform business decision making.

• Leads change management programs of varying scope and type, including readiness assessments, planning, stakeholder management, execution, evaluation and sustainment of initiatives.

• Leads the development of the communication strategy focusing on positively influencing or changing behaviour.

• Leads the execution of operational programs; assesses and adapts as needed to ensure quality of execution.

• Leads the research and development for validation of new types of models.

• Leads and integrates the monitoring, measurement & reporting of the status of the model validation program / portfolio to internal & external stakeholders.

• Provides input into the planning and implementation of ongoing operational programs in support of the model vetting framework and portfolio.

• Leads in the design, implementation and management of core business/group processes.

• Develops validation strategies and plans to ensure appropriate type and level of vetting of models is carried out.

• Independently validates / tests models and their associated assumptions, benchmarks, and supporting documentation against model vesting process, standards, guidelines and principles; assesses the data for model development as well as inputs to the model; compares validation results with model developer results for replicability.

• Identifies deficiencies, conditions for model use, recommends changes, and escalates as required; quantifies model risks, documents outcomes and communicates with stakeholders.

• Identifies where corrective actions are required and escalates per guidelines; monitors and ensures corrective action is taken.

• Provides technical advice and guidance to assigned business/group on implementation of the model vetting framework, and resolution of model risk issues.

• Develops and maintains in-depth knowledge of business and related risk management requirements and legislative/ regulatory directives and guidance.

• Builds effective relationships with internal/external stakeholders.

• Ensures alignment between stakeholders.

• Monitors and tracks performance; addresses any issues.

• Coordinates and monitors the review and sign-off of model validation reporting including model inventory and model inventory attestations.

• Operates at a group/enterprise-wide level and serves as a specialist resource to senior leaders and stakeholders.

• Applies expertise and thinks creatively to address unique or ambiguous situations and to find solutions to problems that can be complex and non-routine.

• Implements changes in response to shifting trends.

• Broader work or accountabilities may be assigned as needed.

  Qualifications:

• Typically 7+ years of relevant experience and post-secondary degree in related field of study or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• In-depth / expert knowledge and understanding of model validation, model risk management practices.

• In-depth / expert knowledge of regulatory requirements.

• In-depth / expert knowledge & experience with risk policy frameworks; quality control / testing frameworks.

• Seasoned professional with a combination of education, experience and industry knowledge.

• Verbal & written communication skills - In-depth / Expert.

• Analytical and problem solving skills - In-depth / Expert.

• Influence skills - In-depth / Expert.

• Collaboration & team skills; with a focus on cross-group collaboration - In-depth / Expert.

• Able to manage ambiguity.

• Data driven decision making - In-depth / Expert.

The above represents BMO Financial Group’s pay range and type.

Salaries will vary based on factors such as location, skills, experience, education, and qualifications for the role, and may include a commission structure. Salaries for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on number of hours regularly worked. For commission roles, the salary listed above represents BMO Financial Group’s expected target for the first year in this position.

BMO Financial Group’s total compensation package will vary based on the pay type of the position and may include performance-based incentives, discretionary bonuses, as well as other perks and rewards. BMO also offers health insurance, tuition reimbursement, accident and life insurance, and retirement savings plans. To view more details of our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.bmo.com/global/en/Total-Rewards

About Us

At BMO we are driven by a shared Purpose: Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. It calls on us to create lasting, positive change for our customers, our communities and our people. By working together, innovating and pushing boundaries, we transform lives and businesses, and power economic growth around the world.

As a member of the BMO team you are valued, respected and heard, and you have more ways to grow and make an impact. We strive to help you make an impact from day one – for yourself and our customers. We’ll support you with the tools and resources you need to reach new milestones, as you help our customers reach theirs. From in-depth training and coaching, to manager support and network-building opportunities, we’ll help you gain valuable experience, and broaden your skillset.

To find out more visit us at https://jobs.bmo.com/ca/en.

BMO is committed to an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace. By learning from each other’s differences, we gain strength through our people and our perspectives. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. To request accommodation, please contact your recruiter.

Note to Recruiters: BMO does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to BMO, directly or indirectly, will be considered BMO property. BMO will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. A recruiting agency must first have a valid, written and fully executed agency agreement contract for service to submit resumes.