Principal Consultant – Bank ALM

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

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement benefits

Health and welfare benefits

Paid time off

Parental leave

Life and accident insurance

Well-being benefits

Job summary

Strata Decision Technology is seeking a senior advisor to guide banking clients on ALM, balance sheet strategy, and risk management in a hybrid Chicago role. You will translate complex financial dynamics into actionable insights for CEOs, CFOs, and boards, leading discussions and presenting strategic options with clarity.

The position requires 10+ years in banking, strong Excel skills, and the ability to travel 15-30%. CFA is a plus; relocation to Chicago or Phoenix is considered.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience within banking or financial services.
• Experience in asset/liability management, interest rate risk, and liquidity management.
• Experience with community/regional banks (assets < $50B) and executive communication.

Responsibilities

• Advise bank management teams and boards on balance sheet strategy and ALM.
• Lead client discussions linking financial performance to strategic objectives.
• Facilitate board and executive presentations explaining analyses and options.
• Perform ALM analyses, interest rate risk assessments, and balance sheet reviews.
• Lead development of planning assumptions in collaboration with clients.
• Assist clients in evaluating growth, funding, and capital management decisions.

Skills

ALM

Balance sheet

Executive communication

Financial analysis

Communication with boards

Excel

Strategic planning

Client management

Risk management

Travel readiness

Education

CFA designation is a plus

Tools

Advanced Microsoft Excel

Job description

Chicago, IL; Phoenix, Arizona, United States

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.

• retirement benefits
• health and welfare benefits
• paid time off
• parental leave
• life and accident insurance
• 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

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 are humble.

Voluntary Self‑Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self‑identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Strata Decision Technology’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service‑connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three‑year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.