Model Validation Manager

Starling; Manchester; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Birthday leave

Pension scheme

Life insurance 4x salary

Private medical insurance

Perkbox membership

Cycle to Work

Gym partnerships

Job summary

Starling Bank in Manchester seeks a Model Validation Manager to lead validation of AI/ML and traditional models across the business. You will mentor quantitative analysts, own validation reports, and work within the risk governance framework to ensure robust risk management.

You will present findings to senior leadership and committees, engaging with model developers and owners to drive timely remediation. This is a pivotal role in our model risk oversight.

Qualifications

• Graduate-level education in a numerical discipline or equivalent work experience.
• Proven track record building and mentoring high-performing quantitative teams.
• Extensive experience validating a broad portfolio of model types, including AI/ML and traditional models (IFRS 9, forecasting, operational risk).
• Expertise with analytical tools Python/R/SQL/SAS and spreadsheets.
• Strong understanding of model risk management and governance best practices.

Responsibilities

• Act as a senior escalation point for complex validation challenges and interact with developers and leadership.
• Validate AI/ML models and traditional models across Starling’s operations.
• Contribute to model risk governance framework development and enhancements.
• Produce and review validation reports and ensure timely remediation with stakeholders.
• Lead Risk Assurance reviews and present findings to senior leadership and committees.
• Engage with stakeholders to embed robust model risk practices throughout the lifecycle.

Skills

Team leadership

Quantitative analysis

Model validation

Communication

Education

Graduate-level education in numerical discipline

Tools

Python

R

SQL

SAS

Job description

Hello, we're Starling. We built a new kind of bank because we knew technology had the power to help people save, spend and manage their money in a new and transformative way. We're a fully licensed UK bank with the culture and spirit of a fast-moving, disruptive tech company. We're a bank, but better: fairer, easier to use and designed to demystify money for everyone. We employ more than 3,500 people across our London, Southampton, Cardiff and Manchester offices.

We are looking for a talented and passionate Model Validation Manager to join our Model Risk Oversight Team. Our team plays a critical role in validating and overseeing the risks associated with all models across Starling, particularly those involving AI and other advanced modeling techniques. If you have a background in model validation or development across a variety of models (especially within the AI/ML domain but ideally also covering more traditional models), and are eager to be part of the team that plays a vital role in model risk management, we want to hear from you!

As a Model Validation Manager, you will be responsible for:

• Act as a senior escalation point for complex validation challenges, fostering a culture of technical excellence and navigating difficult conversations with model developers and senior leadership to ensure robust risk management practices
• Supporting the validations of different types of models used across Starling, such as AI and ML models supporting our business operations, as well as more traditional models like IFRS 9, Forecasting, and Operational Risk
• Playing a vital role in Model and AI risk governance framework development and enhancements
• Producing and reviewing validation reports while engaging with the model developers and model owners to ensure the validation findings are understood and can be addressed within the agreed timelines.
• Leading on Risk Assurance reviews
• Producing committee papers and presenting at committees
• Presenting high-level validation findings to Senior leadership
• Engaging and forming close relationships with the key stakeholders to enable good model risk management practices throughout the model lifecycle

This role will close at 12pm on Thursday 29th October.

Requirements

• Graduate-level education is preferred, ideally in a numerical discipline (or equivalent work experience)
• Proven track record of building, mentoring, and managing high-performing technical teams of quantitative analysts. Ability to coach staff through complex AI and traditional model validations
• Extensive experience overseeing a broad portfolio of model types. Must possess deep, hands-on expertise in validating advanced AI/ML algorithms alongside strong proficiency in traditional risk models (e.g., IFRS 9, Forecasting, Operational Risk)
• Expert in the use of analytical tools such as Python/R/SQL/SAS and spreadsheets.
• Good knowledge of model and AI risk management and governance industry best practice and regulations
• Ability to articulate findings from analysis in a succinct and clear way that is suitable for the target audience
• Organised, flexible and adaptable, with the ability to switch between tasks seamlessly
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities

Benefits

• 25 days holiday (plus take your public holiday allowance whenever works best for you)
• An extra day's holiday for your birthday
• Annual leave is increased with length of service, and you can choose to buy or sell up to five extra days off
• 16 hours paid volunteering time a year
• Salary sacrifice, company enhanced pension scheme
• Life insurance at 4x your salary
• Private Medical Insurance with VitalityHealth including mental health support and cancer care. Partner benefits include discounts with Waitrose, Mr&Mrs Smith and Peloton
• Generous family-friendly policies
• Perkbox membership giving access to retail discounts, a wellness platform for physical and mental health, and weekly free and boosted perks
• Access to initiatives like Cycle to Work and Salary Sacrificed Gym partnerships

About Us

You may be put off applying for a role because you don't tick every box. Forget that! While we can't accommodate every flexible working request, we're always open to discussion. So, if you're excited about working with us, but aren't sure if you're 100% there yet, get in touch anyway.

We're on a mission to radically reshape banking - and that starts with our brilliant team. Whatever came before, we're proud to bring together people of all backgrounds and experiences who love working together to solve problems.

Starling Bank is an equal opportunity employer, and we're proud of our ongoing efforts to foster diversity & inclusion in the workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Starling Bank are considered without regard to race, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, ancestry, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.