Model Risk Manager – Validation

Location: Chatham/London/Bradford/Petersfield

You will undertake independent validation of models across the Bank. As part of the second line of defence, the Model Risk Manager - Validation will be integral to the delivery of the model validation plan to ensure effective development and ongoing use of models across Vanquis Bank. The role will work closely with the first line model owners, users, and developers to promote a balanced risk-reward approach that ensures the Group's long-term stability and success.

Responsibilities:

• Lead independent validation of models used across the Bank to assess their conceptual soundness, technical design, and ongoing performance.
• Promote a positive culture driving the highest standards in model validation and management.
• Attend meetings with key stakeholders and senior leadership to deliver validation reports and effectively communicate model risk.
• Be a champion of effective model maintenance and management through development and ongoing validation in addition to driving discussion and challenge in model monitoring reviews.
• Identify model drift, weaknesses, non-compliance, business risks or control weaknesses, and communicate these to the relevant stakeholders.
• Deputise for the Senior Model Risk Validation Manager as required.
• Maintain a co-operative and effective relationship with senior management and colleagues across the business always assisting them to comply with relevant regulations and achieve fair customer outcomes.
• Promote a no-surprise approach to validation reporting.
• Maintain an understanding of relevant business areas under review through asking intuitive questions and keeping regulatory requirements and the customer in mind.

Experience required:

• Professional experience in model development or model validation.
• Experience of model types such as forecasting, IFRS 9, scorecards, and pricing.
• Able to deliver high quality, accurate work to deadlines, and support others.
• Able to communicate effectively to gain the support of management through reasoned argument and effective decision making.
• Analytical thinking who can interpret MI/BI and use it for sound decision making.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) with the ability to influence, negotiate, feedback and constructively challenge at all levels.
• PC Literacy to include MS Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Proven ability to effectively plan and organise work effectively and prioritise deadlines whilst working at a fast pace.
• Strong ability to use initiative when concluding on testing results.
• Proven ability to work independently and pro-actively take ownership for own workload to meet deadlines.
• Ability to demonstrate a positive attitude and the ability to lead and motivate others.
• Ability to deputise for the senior manager as required.
• Excellent relationship management and influencing skills with the ability to balance assertiveness with the need to build and maintain internal relationships.
• Risk related qualification (e.g. IRM) desirable but not essential.
• Strong experience in a risk management role.
• Experience of advising on Risk and Control Self-Assessment work.
• Experience of Risk Management Information Systems.
• Natural problem-solving mindset that uses thoughtfulness, drive, and appropriate urgency.
• Partnering with key stakeholders to ensure views are understood and agreement is reached using both information and judgement to create recommendations and support decisions.

The Company:

At Vanquis, we’ve been empowering lives since 1880. As a FTSE All Share company and leading specialist bank, we lend responsibly to over 1.69 million UK customers. We’re just as committed to our colleagues as we are to our customers, offering competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and recognition schemes. With pension plans, our ‘Buy as You Earn’ scheme, and ongoing training opportunities, we create a supportive environment where you can grow and thrive. Bring your authentic self, find your voice, and build your career with us—because at Vanquis, we believe in making the most of life’s opportunities.

The Benefits:

• Competitive base salary and rewards.
• Private Medical Insurance.
• 25 days holiday entitlement one day accrued for each year of service (max 30 days).
• Defined contribution pension scheme.
• Discretionary bonus scheme.
• Perks at Work.
• 2 paid days to support a charity of your choice.
• Flexible, hybrid, & dynamic working policies.