Business Unit: Group Risk, Model Risk & Analytics 
Career Direction: Utilising our Data 
Role Focus: Risk and Financial Modelling Peer Group: Management & Senior Specialists (B) 
Salary range: £60,000 - £75,000 per annum 
Location: UK, Hybrid, with team meetups in one of our hubs (Glasgow / Gosforth) x2 per year
Contract type: Permanent 

Live to inspire change. Live a life more Virgin. 

Our Team  

Having solid Model Risk Management frameworks is super important for us to handle the risks that come with using models for our decisions, especially with all the complex regulations and growing expectations from regulators. Plus, with new tech like AI (and Gen AI) and new financial risks like climate change, the modelling space is constantly evolving and needs to be managed well. 

That's where our team steps in! We provide independent validations and reviews, working with stakeholders across the bank to ensure our model developments are top-notch. We also make sure we stick to frameworks and policies by helping identify and fix any compliance gaps. 

What you’ll be doing 

• Designing a blueprint for process verification testing across the model lifecycle and embedding it in our existing validation processes 

• Developing and executing comprehensive test plans across the model lifecycle, including test objectives, scope and success criteria 

• Verifying the quality, consistency and relevance of input datasets by creating appropriate testing pipelines (e.g. data and model drift) using conventional and novel tools relating to data testing 

• Evaluating model performance under stress scenarios and testing model scalability in production-like environments 

• Designing effective integration testing that ensures seamless data flow and compatibility with overall system architectures 

• Project leading and supporting a team of expert model validators covering an array of model types and performing highly quantitative process verification activities as part of validations 

• Documenting and presenting validation findings to technical forums and governance committees, while producing summary reports and relevant Management Information (MI), where required 

• Contributing to and influencing validation standards across the model lifecycle to continuously enhance the validation process, especially with process verification in mind 

We need you to have 

• An advanced degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Software Engineering, Statistics or relevant work experience 

• Significant experience in data management, data quality assurance and/or reporting of risk data, including validating data inputs and/or data outputs 

• Strong understanding of software engineering testing methodologies, including integration and scalability testing 

• Significant experience in risk-specific systems (e.g. TSYS, PowerCurve) gained from implementing models in such systems or using them to monitor models and report on outputs 

• Advanced knowledge of at least one programming language, e.g. SAS, R, Python, SQL 

• Experience in independently validating / reviewing or building models 

• Experience of leading a project-based team in a fast-paced environment, including effective resource management, positive behaviours and performance coaching to build capability 

It’s a bonus if you have but not essential 

• Knowledge of Model Risk Management frameworks and associated regulations (e.g. SS1/23) 

• Familiarity with data science testing frameworks (e.g. unittest, pytest) and relevant processes (e.g. CI / CD pipelines for automated testing and deployment, Git for version control) 

• Understanding of data privacy (e.g. GDPR) and security regulations. Familiarity with ethical principles including bias and fairness testing