Senior Credit Risk Analyst

Leeds Building Society; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Annual bonus up to 12%

Matched pension up to 10%

26 days holiday + holidays

Volunteer days

Job summary

Leeds Building Society is seeking a Senior Model Validation Analyst to take ownership of validation reviews across a broad risk model portfolio. You will apply independent testing and challenger analyses to ensure models are robust, well-documented and fit for purpose.

You will build strong relationships with model owners and senior stakeholders, draft clear findings and support action closure. Hybrid working, with emphasis on quantitative risk in credit and non-credit models.

Qualifications

• Experience in model validation, model development or assurance within financial services.
• Knowledge of statistical and quantitative techniques used to assess model design, data, assumptions, implementation, performance and outputs.
• Working knowledge of at least one significant model class such as IRB, IFRS 9, forecasting or pricing.
• Hands-on programming and data handling with Python/SQL/SAS/R, and ability to reproduce calculations and develop independent testing.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of defined validation reviews from scoping and planning through to analysis, reporting and closure.
• Apply independent testing, benchmark or challenger analyses to assess model design, data and implementation.
• Build trusted relationships with model owners, developers and senior stakeholders and present clear findings.
• Draft and present findings, support action closure and guide analysts contributing to reviews.
• Help improve validation methods, tools, data and automation across areas including IRB, IFRS 9, capital, liquidity and market risk.

Skills

Model validation

Quantitative risk

Python

SQL

SAS

R

Communication

Stakeholder management

Attention to detail

Tools

Python

SQL

SAS

R

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.

It's a purpose that drives everything we do. And you can play your part too – join our Prudential & Enterprise Risk team as a Senior Model Validation Analyst.

This is an opportunity to bring your quantitative expertise and professional curiosity to an independent model validation function with a broad and varied portfolio. You'll work across credit and non-credit risk models, challenge complex analysis and help ensure important decisions are supported by models that are robust, well understood and fit for purpose.

How you'll make a difference

You'll take ownership of defined validation reviews from scoping and planning through to analysis, reporting and closure, with proportionate support from a Model Validation Specialist. Applying independent testing, benchmark or challenger analysis, you'll assess model design, data, assumptions, implementation, performance, governance and limitations, then form clear, evidence-based conclusions on fitness for purpose.

You'll also build trusted relationships with model owners, developers and senior stakeholders, bringing constructive challenge while keeping reviews on track. Alongside drafting and presenting clear findings, you'll support action closure, guide Analysts contributing to reviews and help improve our validation methods, tools, data and automation across areas including IRB, IFRS 9, capital, liquidity, market risk, pricing, forecasting and stress testing.

What will you bring to the role?

• Relevant experience in model validation, model development, quantitative risk analysis or assurance within financial services.
• Practical knowledge of statistical and quantitative techniques used to assess model design, data, assumptions, implementation, performance and outputs.
• Working knowledge of at least one significant model class, such as residential mortgage IRB, IFRS 9, scorecards, affordability, forecasting, stress testing, capital, liquidity, market risk, behavioural modelling or pricing.
• Hands-on programming and data-handling experience using Python, SQL, SAS, R or a similar tool, with the ability to interrogate data, reproduce calculations and develop independent testing.
• A good understanding of model risk, validation approaches, performance metrics, controls, limitations and the model lifecycle, together with awareness of relevant regulatory expectations.
• Sound judgement and the ability to plan and deliver defined reviews with limited day-to-day supervision, recognising when issues need to be escalated.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, enabling you to explain technical analysis, challenge and conclusions clearly to a range of stakeholders.
• A collaborative, organised and professionally curious approach, with attention to detail, the ability to manage competing priorities and a willingness to build breadth across credit and non-credit models.

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

• Hybrid working – 2 days per week in the office
• Annual bonus of up to 12%
• Matched pension contributions up to 10%
• 26 days holiday, plus bank holidays and holiday purchase scheme
• Colleague Mortgage and Saver products
• 2 days' volunteering per year

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.

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