Model Validation Lead

Leeds Building Society; Leeds, Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Annual bonus up to 15%

Matched pension up to 10%

30 days holiday + holiday purchase

Job summary

Leeds Building Society is seeking a senior leader within Prudential & Enterprise Risk to establish an inclusive environment and provide independent validation of models and quantitative methods. You will shape the enterprise-wide model risk framework, interact with regulators, and support senior stakeholders to strengthen decision-making across the Society.

The role requires hands-on IRB expertise, strong governance experience, and leadership of high-performing teams in a complex financial

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in model development or independent validation within financial services, including hands-on IRB expertise.
• Experience leading the design, implementation and embedding of an enterprise-wide model risk management framework.
• Strong understanding of model risk appetite, policy, governance, validation techniques, and risk reporting.
• Ability to build constructive relationships with regulators and board committees.
• Proficient in Python, SAS or SQL with strong analytical capability.
• Inclusive senior leadership with experience developing others and delivering enterprise-wide outcomes.

Skills

Model development/validation

IRB expertise

Risk framework design

Governance & reporting

Python/SAS/SQL

Leadership & people management

Tools

Python

SAS

SQL

Job description

How you'll help us live our purpose

We've been helping our members save for their future and buy their own home since 1875. Join us and you'll play a big role in helping us to put home ownership within reach of more people, generation after generation.

How you'll make a difference

As a senior leader within Prudential & Enterprise Risk, you'll create an inclusive, supportive environment where your team can thrive while delivering independent validation and oversight of our models and quantitative methods. You'll provide clear, objective assurance that they are sound, well controlled and meet regulatory expectations. By setting a clear direction, coaching colleagues and building trusted relationships, you'll shape and embed our enterprise-wide model risk management framework and work collaboratively with senior stakeholders and committees to strengthen decision-making across the Society.

What will you bring to the role?

• Substantial experience in model development or independent validation within financial services, including essential hands-on IRB expertise.
• Experience leading the design, implementation and embedding of an enterprise-wide model risk management framework, aligned to the wider enterprise risk framework and regulatory expectations.
• A strong understanding of model risk appetite, policy, governance, validation techniques, performance metrics and aggregate risk reporting.
• The confidence and sound judgement to build constructive relationships with regulators and respond effectively to the assurance and reporting needs of Board Risk Committee and senior leaders.
• Strong analytical and technical capability, including Python, SAS or SQL, with the ability to explore complex model risk issues, offer thoughtful challenge and communicate clearly.
• Inclusive senior and people leadership experience, with the ability to develop others, support high-performing teams, lead change and deliver shared enterprise-wide outcomes.

And in return, you'll get the best from us:

• Hybrid working - 2 days per week in the office
• Annual bonus of up to 15%
• Matched pension contributions up to 10%
• 30 days holiday, plus bank holidays and holiday purchase scheme

We'll give you a place to belong with the support to learn, develop and shape a meaningful career.

Why choose us?

Our business is centred around our people. Our colleagues are at the heart of everything we do, as shown by our Inclusive Employers Gold accreditation in 2023 and 2025. We're committed to equal opportunities regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability or gender identity.

You'll be joining a truly purpose-focused culture which helped us win the Leading with Purpose award at the 2023Business Culture Awards. This recognises how we've embedded our purpose with our colleagues, and the actions we've taken to put home ownership within reach of more people, generation after generation.

We're devoted to creating a culture and workplace that is representative of the communities we serve. If you'd like to work with us but are unsure if you meet the full criteria for a role, please contact the recruiter so we can find out more about your skills and experience. We're committed to supporting you to be at your best - to discuss any reasonable adjustments we could make, please contact us on [e-mail].

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