The Group (not a Big-Four) has developed into a leading Management Consultancy, specialized in the field of Business Risk Consulting, Management Control & IT Technology.
Key figures:
9000+ employees operating in 20 counties, generating a revenue of approx. €2 billion.
Company values:
- Independence
- Freedom
- Innovation
- Commitment to success
Mission:
Deliver meaningful results, nurture rewarding careers for its talent, and build deep relationships with each other and its diverse client base.
Team:
The Dutch office is approx. 100 staff, with 17 nationalities.
Service offering in four areas;
- Technology Consulting
- Business Performance Improvement
- IT Financial Advisory
- Risk & Compliance
Background hiring manager:
15 years’ experience in applying Data & Tech within the Finance, Operations, Internal Control, Internal Audit and Risk domain.
Leading the Data Analytics, Process Mining, and Intelligent (Process) Automation services. Assisted organizations in applying more data driven techniques, incl. mathematical optimization, such as AI/ML.
Reason of the vacancy: expansion, they intend to further broaden their Model development activities (AI, ML).
Interview with the MD:
“This is a very international collaborative position, mainly aimed at Financial Institutions.
The challenge is on the credit models, we mainly focus on the 3rd LOD on the Audit piece, but can move up to the 2nd LOD, Model Val.
We see growing demand for Compliance Model and Model Audit
The European application for AI is even greater, such as AI & ML. We also do this work in terms of Governance, and are looking for someone who can take the lead.
We have a large network, hence keen to attract someone who can lead the way and knows the content behind it, and not afraid to step out of their comfort zone.
We want to do AI Audit, so we need someone who enjoys building a team and be entrepreneurial.
With EAD, PD, LGD knowledge, but not only the modeling-part, also building the team and advising clients.
This is a good position for someone who is at a tipping point and wants to use his/her knowledge to advise customers, also internally and who has technical knowledge with more pragmatic insight.”
Culture:
Based on team spirit, professionalism and entrepreneurial spirit in an informal atmosphere.
Team members are an open book, where you legitimately feel you can ask questions, they actually want you to ask questions to understand your thought process and be able to guide you best.
Reporting line:
In this role you will report to the Lead Data Analytics as well as the Head of Risk Management.
Some selected key topics:
Model Validation and Model Audits have become core to Model Risk Management (MRM) within Banks and the Financial Industry in general.
For the Credit Risk domain, requirements are very specific and challenging. Supervision became stricter over the years and continues to change, the Validation and Internal Audit functions play a key role. Assurance about how we use models has an increased interest from both clients and supervisors. With the increased use of AI, the way this is done also changes.
Challenges:
- Complex Model Validation and Audits focusing on:
- 1st LOD (model development, implementation and use) and
- for Audits also the 2nd LOD (Model Validation, incl. Model Governance, especially in the credit risk domain)
- Processes under review include Data quality dimensions, the model conceptual soundness review and performance testing, reporting and model use, throughout the lifecycle of a model
- Assessing the programmatic quality and Compliance which incl. Model identification and tracking, Model Validation, and monitoring Model performance
Background:
- Quantitative background with wide knowledge of modeling techniques in the credit risk domain, preferably incl. AI.
- MSc. In a Quantitative field;
- 3-10 years of work experience;
- You enjoy being challenged with complex issues and models;
- Excellent analytical skills, research skills;
- Like to work in projects and / or programs;
- Able to step out of your comfort zone;
- Have affinity with business origination and product development;
- CFA or FRM certified and/or prepared to follow advanced courses;
- Fluent in English, Dutch is a plus;
- Eager to learn, energetic, loves to work in an environment without boundaries
Knowledge:
- Modelling (really someone who has built and seen the models, also knows how it works)
- Consultancy exp. is a plus
- Credit Risk Management, preferably Compliance Models
- Data Analytics, preferably Artificial Intelligence
- Coding skills (e.g.): R, Phyton, MATLAB, VBA, SQL, Java, C++
Offer:
- Above market-rate salary and very good secondary benefits.
- Challenging projects and the opportunity to help shape the Model Risk team -> have real impact
- Room for personal development -> several licenses/certifications per year are offered. Important is to keep developing yourself, individually and in the interest of the company
- Their projects allow you to investigate the recent applications of Model Development, Validation, Audit and Artificial Intelligence, they will push and enable you to develop yourself.
- Further develop your Management and Project Management skills
- Entrepreneurship within an International (knowledge) environment, flexibility, personal development and cooperation.
Quote MD: “If in the end you decide to leave the firm, then better to leave in great shape with a good CV”
How do they distinguish themselves from i.e. the Big-Four;
1. Real and content-driven knowledge
2. Listening to the customer and looking for the solution together instead of slightly adjusting its 'own' model and pushing it into the organization (which sometimes seems to be the case with other Consultancies)
3. Jointly (with the customer) put together a solution, so that the solution is a more permanent one
4. Soft skills - involved, friendly and more human
5. Lower work pressure
6. Your wings aren't being cut..
7. Autonomy
8. Entrepreneurial: able to build/set up your own effort
9. Output driven: life before work!
Salary:
Competitive salary: €70k-€110k + car + bonus + fringe benefits.
Home Office Options:
Hybrid is possible, they are not that strict on actually being at the office, it is more about efficiency and results à output-driven.
Note: It is advisable/preferred to be more regular at the office in the beginning when you start, this to ensure a smooth landing.
Discrete call:
In case you are intrigued, or you wish to have a discrete call, please contact Boudewijn Vellinga via b.vellinga@gryphonsearch.com or under +31(0)85 485 3288 (landline) or +31(0)6 1224 3196 (mobile).
We’d rather have a dialogue to explain more, than for you to conclude it might not be a fit.
