Model Risk Validation Head GCC
Location: Chennai, India
About the Role:
We are seeking an experienced Model Risk Validation Lead to establish and lead a Model Risk Management capability within a Global Capability Center. This is a strategic leadership role responsible for building a globally aligned model validation function, ensuring robust governance, and supporting enterprise-wide model risk management activities.
The successful candidate will lead the development of a high-performing validation team, oversee model validation activities across multiple risk domains, and collaborate with global stakeholders to deliver high-quality, independent model validation services. This role offers the opportunity to shape a Center of Excellence for model risk management while driving operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategy & Capability Development
- Establish and operationalize the Model Risk Validation function within the GCC.
- Define the target operating model, governance framework, service scope, and long-term capability roadmap.
- Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of model validation professionals.
- Drive the transition from vendor-supported operations to a sustainable in-house delivery model.
Model Validation & Oversight
- Lead independent validation of financial and risk models, including documentation reviews, methodology assessments, benchmarking, sensitivity analysis, independent testing, and validation reporting.
- Support validation activities across credit risk, IFRS 9/ECL, stress testing, compliance, and other financial risk models.
- Review and challenge model assumptions, methodologies, limitations, and validation outcomes.
- Ensure validation deliverables meet established governance, documentation, and quality standards.
Governance & Risk Management
- Develop and maintain quality assurance, peer review, and control testing processes.
- Support model inventory management, periodic reviews, change validations, ongoing monitoring, and model risk reporting.
- Monitor validation progress, remediation activities, key risk indicators (KRIs), and operational metrics.
- Escalate material model risks, control weaknesses, and delivery concerns to leadership as appropriate.
Vendor & Delivery Management
- Manage external partners supporting model validation activities.
- Define and monitor service levels related to quality, productivity, documentation, and turnaround time.
- Facilitate knowledge transfer and capability development within the internal team.
- Reduce vendor dependency through structured capability building and process maturity.
Stakeholder Management
- Partner with global Model Risk Management, Model Validation, and Risk teams across multiple regions.
- Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and ensure effective communication on validation outcomes, risks, and remediation efforts.
Operational Excellence
- Oversee model validation operations, control testing, model risk reporting, and governance activities.
- Drive automation, process standardization, and continuous improvement initiatives to improve efficiency and scalability.
- Promote best practices across the model lifecycle and support the adoption of model lifecycle management tools.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Finance, Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, Engineering, Data Science, or a related quantitative discipline.
- 14+ years of experience in Model Risk Management, Model Validation, or Model Development within the banking or financial services industry.
- Strong understanding of mathematical finance, statistics, and quantitative risk modeling.
- Experience validating credit risk, IFRS 9/ECL, stress testing, or other financial risk models.
- Deep knowledge of model governance frameworks and regulatory expectations.
- Experience establishing or scaling offshore/GCC capabilities is highly desirable.
- Proven leadership experience building and managing high-performing teams.
- Experience managing third-party vendors and hybrid delivery models.
- Familiarity with model lifecycle management tools and validation frameworks.
- Strong stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills.
Preferred Skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Experience with statistical programming tools such as Python, R, SAS, or SQL.
- Knowledge of model lifecycle management, model governance, and regulatory standards.
- Experience driving automation and process improvement initiatives.
- Ability to work effectively with cross-functional and geographically distributed teams.
