Principal Consultant – Bank ALM

Strata Decision Technology, LLC; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Strata Decision Technology, LLC seeks an experienced consulting professional to guide bank executives through ALM, balance sheet strategy, interest rate risk, and liquidity decisions from Chicago. You will translate complex balance sheet dynamics into actionable business insights for boards and leadership.

You will lead modeling discussions, present findings to executives, and advise on strategic decisions related to growth, funding, and capital management, while collaborating with internal

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience within the banking industry.
• Significant experience in asset/liability management, interest rate risk management, treasury, balance sheet strategy, financial management, or related banking disciplines.
• Experience working with community and regional banks, preferably institutions under $50 billion in assets.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with executive management teams, ALCO committees, and boards of directors.
• Strong understanding of ALM methodologies, interest rate risk measurement, balance sheet management, and strategic financial decision-making.
• Experience interpreting and communicating the strategic implications of quantitative financial analyses.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex concepts to both financial and non-financial audiences.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and comfort working with financial models and analytical tools.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities while maintaining high standards of quality and client service.
• CFA designation is a plus, but not required.
• Previous consulting experience is beneficial but not required. Candidates with significant experience advising executive management teams, boards, or ALCO committees within banking organizations are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Willingness to travel approximately 15-30% as client needs require.

Responsibilities

• Advise bank management teams and boards of directors on balance sheet strategy, asset/liability management, liquidity, and interest rate risk management.
• Lead client discussions that connect financial performance, risk exposures, and strategic objectives.
• Facilitate board and executive-level presentations, helping clients understand the implications of financial analyses and strategic alternatives.
• Perform and review complex ALM analyses, interest rate risk assessments, and related balance sheet evaluations.
• Lead assumption development and modeling discussions with clients to establish reasonable, supportable, and actionable planning assumptions.
• Assist clients in evaluating strategic decisions related to growth, funding, investments, liquidity, pricing, capital management, and balance sheet optimization.
• Support clients in preparing for and responding to regulatory and examination-related questions involving ALM, interest rate risk, and balance sheet management.
• Deliver high-quality consulting engagements while managing multiple priorities and client relationships.
• Collaborate with internal team members to enhance methodologies, analytical approaches, and client deliverables.
• Represent the firm's brand through exceptional client service, professionalism, and expertise that strengthens long-term client relationships and contributes to future business opportunities.

Skills

Asset/Liability Management

Interest Rate Risk

Treasury

Balance Sheet Strategy

Executive Communication

Board Communication

Financial Modeling

Excel Proficiency

CFA (nice to have)

Consulting Experience

Travel Flexibility 15-30%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

How you'll make an impact

As a member of our Financial Institutions business unit, you will serve as a trusted advisor to bank executives and boards of directors, helping clients navigate complex balance sheet, asset/liability management (ALM), interest rate risk, liquidity, and strategic planning decisions.

You will work closely with CEOs, CFOs, treasury leaders, risk officers, executive management teams, and boards of directors to translate complex financial and balance sheet dynamics into meaningful business insights and actionable strategies. Through thoughtful analysis, effective communication, and deep banking expertise, you will help clients better understand risks, opportunities, and potential outcomes while supporting critical strategic decisions.

Success in this role requires a unique combination of technical expertise, strategic thinking, executive presence, and relationship management. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable analyzing model assumptions and presenting insights in a boardroom, helping decision-makers understand not only what the numbers indicate, but also what actions may be appropriate in response.

In this role, you will:

• Advise bank management teams and boards of directors on balance sheet strategy, asset/liability management, liquidity, and interest rate risk management.
• Lead client discussions that connect financial performance, risk exposures, and strategic objectives.
• Facilitate board and executive-level presentations, helping clients understand the implications of financial analyses and strategic alternatives.
• Perform and review complex ALM analyses, interest rate risk assessments, and related balance sheet evaluations.
• Lead assumption development and modeling discussions with clients to establish reasonable, supportable, and actionable planning assumptions.
• Assist clients in evaluating strategic decisions related to growth, funding, investments, liquidity, pricing, capital management, and balance sheet optimization.
• Support clients in preparing for and responding to regulatory and examination-related questions involving ALM, interest rate risk, and balance sheet management.
• Deliver high-quality consulting engagements while managing multiple priorities and client relationships.
• Collaborate with internal team members to enhance methodologies, analytical approaches, and client deliverables.
• Represent the firm's brand through exceptional client service, professionalism, and expertise that strengthens long-term client relationships and contributes to future business opportunities.

What we're looking for

• 10+ years of progressive experience within the banking industry.
• Significant experience in asset/liability management, interest rate risk management, treasury, balance sheet strategy, financial management, or related banking disciplines.
• Experience working with community and regional banks, preferably institutions under $50 billion in assets.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with executive management teams, ALCO committees, and boards of directors.
• Strong understanding of ALM methodologies, interest rate risk measurement, balance sheet management, and strategic financial decision-making.
• Experience interpreting and communicating the strategic implications of quantitative financial analyses.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex concepts to both financial and non-financial audiences.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and comfort working with financial models and analytical tools.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities while maintaining high standards of quality and client service.
• CFA designation is a plus, but not required.
• Previous consulting experience is beneficial but not required. Candidates with significant experience advising executive management teams, boards, or ALCO committees within banking organizations are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Willingness to travel approximately 15-30% as client needs require.

Location

Our team operates in a hybrid work environment with a minimum expectation of two days per week in the office.

Strong preference will be given to candidates located in the Phoenix metropolitan area or candidates that are committed to relocating. Candidates located in the Chicago area may also be considered.

Estimated Salary Range: $160,000-180,000

Actual salary will be determined based on factors including, but not limited to, skill set and level of experience. This salary range is a good faith estimate of base pay. Strata also provides discretionary variable pay programs based on role. In addition, Strata provides a comprehensive benefits package including retirement benefits, health and welfare benefits, paid time off, parental leave, life and accident insurance, and other voluntary and well-being benefits.

Find out more about Strata benefits here.

How we work:

Our preferred location for open roles is Chicago, IL. We value in-person connection and regularly host on-campus events to create meaningful opportunities for our team to build relationships and collaborate

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that women and underrepresented groups tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box on a job posting. If you're currently reading this and hesitating to click "Apply" for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! A true passion and excitement for making an impact is just as important as work experience.

Should you require a reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-Employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please reach out to [e-mail].

Here @ Strata...

Our culture is driven by our people solving problems together. We embrace learning, collaboration, and continuous career growth. Together, we lift our customers, our products, our company, and our community.

We believe that each of our team member's unique perspectives and experiences is what drives innovation and positive change. Our individual differences are what make us a more forward-thinking organization. We foster a culture of inclusion, equity and belonging, regardless of race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

Our Core Values:

While we celebrate what makes each member of our team unique, our core values are what connect us. They set clear expectations for how we approach our work and how each of us can positively influence the experience of our team and our customers.

• We connect with positive intent.
• We are helpful.
• We own it.
• We get better every day.
• We are humble.