Lead, Model Risk Validation - Finance & Analytics

Affirm, Inc.; Denver (CO); Remote; USD 164,000 - 224,000; Full time

Job summary

affirm is seeking a Lead validator for Finance and Analytics models within its Model Risk Management team. The role focuses on validating diverse financial and analytics models and driving governance across Finance, Quantitative Research, and Growth Analytics.

You will lead end-to-end validation engagements, identify model weaknesses, and collaborate to remediate findings while aligning with enterprise risk controls and regulatory expectations.

Qualifications

• 4–6 years of professional experience in model development, model validation, quantitative finance, or data analytics with exposure to financial/analytics model validation.
• Deep and broad knowledge of corporate finance, treasury, ALM, and actuarial/statistical forecasting.
• Experience in credit underwriting or credit risk management is a plus.
• Proficiency with scripting languages (Python) and large-scale datasets (SQL); comfortable with Excel, Python, Databricks.
• Experience with statistical modeling, time-series forecasting, simulation, and/or ML in finance/analytics.
• BS, MS, or PhD in a quantitative field such as Quantitative Finance, Financial Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, Computer Science, or Data Science.
• Detail-oriented and intellectually curious about data, models, and business context; skilled at critical thinking and structured problem-solving.
• Extraordinary interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills to influence model owners and present to senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Perform independent challenges of financial and analytics quantitative models — including ALM, allowance/loss forecasting, loan transition models, corporate financial planning models, take-up and engagement models, and related decision-support analytics — through rigorous validation and ongoing monitoring.
• Lead end-to-end validation engagements on high-complexity, high-criticality models.
• Identify model weaknesses, limitations, and opportunities for improvement; articulate findings clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Collaborate with model owners and stakeholders across Finance, Quantitative Research, and Growth Analytics to remediate validation findings and strengthen model governance.
• Partner cross-functionally to implement and maintain the company's MRM framework.
• Partner with Internal Audit, Internal Controls, Accounting, and Compliance to ensure timely resolution of audit, regulatory, and examiner requests.

Skills

Model validation

Python

SQL

Data analytics

Education

BS in Quantitative Field

MS in Quantitative Field

PhD in Quantitative Field

Tools

Excel

Databricks

Python

Job description

affirm is seeking a Lead validator for Finance and Analytics models within its Model Risk Management team. The role focuses on validating diverse financial and analytics models and driving governance across Finance, Quantitative Research, and Growth Analytics.

You will lead end-to-end validation engagements, identify model weaknesses, and collaborate to remediate findings while aligning with enterprise risk controls and regulatory expectations.