Model Validation Director

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

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.

Main Duties

• 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;
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship now or in the future

Preferred

• 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

For individuals assigned and/or hired to work in California, Colorado, or New York, Ankura is required to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This compensation range is specific to the said markets and considers a broad range of factors including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. The range does not include additional benefits outside of salary. At Ankura, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each role. A reasonable estimate of the current base pay range is between $85,000 to $200,000; this range is not a promise of a particular wage.

Ankura is an affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability. Equal Employment Opportunity Posters, if you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening, submit an online application, or participate in an interview/assessment, please email View email address on click.appcast.io or call toll‑free View phone number on click.appcast.io. This email and phone number are created exclusively to assist disabled job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or technical issues unrelated to a disability, will not receive a response.

Ankura Consulting Group, LLC is an independent global expert services and advisory firm that delivers services and end‑to‑end solutions to help clients at critical inflection points related to conflict, crisis, performance, risk, strategy, and transformation. The Ankura team consists of more than 2000 professionals serving 3,000+ clients across 55 countries who are leaders in their respective fields and areas of expertise. Collaborative Lateral Thinking That Delivers™ hard‑earned experience, expertise, and multidisciplinary capabilities drive results and Ankura is unrivalled in its ability to assist clients to Protect, Create, and Recover Value™. For more information, please visit, ankura.com.