Senior Credit Modeling & Analytics Manager

Overview:

Reporting to the Director of Credit Risk Modeling, this role will lead and manage a quantitative modeling group within Commercial Credit space to support data, systems and modeling needs of Commercial Risk Rating models (Scorecards, Behavioral, etc) utilized for credit risk management or other enterprise initiatives. This role may also support model development initiatives in the loss forecasting, CCAR (Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review)/stress testing and economic capital practices.  Directs daily and long-range strategic direction of the group to support business initiatives and regulatory compliance.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead the Credit Risk Management Framework in setting quantitative analytics and modeling strategy approaches employed in the risk rating framework and across the firm.
• Build, manage and develop a team of modelers and quantitative analysts. Provide coaching, direction and thought leadership to team members in order to achieve business results
• Oversee the development, implementation and maintenance of Commercial PD and LGD credit risk and/or behavioral models using internal/external data/environment, next gen technologies and agile modeling principles.
• Serve as liaison with key internal partners, including Technology, Enterprise Data, Finance, Product and Regulatory Affairs to help set firm-wide priorities.
• Coordinate analyses of underwriting, behavioral, market and economic data pertinent to the Bank’s customers, portfolios and products.  Interpret results, develop recommendations and present findings to senior management.
• Work with a wide range of internal customers, including executive management, to explain the benefits, limitations, assumptions and requirements for proposed scorecards, solutions and modeling strategies.
• Support less experienced managers during the model development effective challenge process with the Model Development Working and Model Development Oversight Groups.
• Support internal business partners to develop and implement strategies for optimal pricing, underwriting or funding strategy with the end goal of maximizing firm profitability.
• Manage the development and implementation of performance metrics, reporting and analyses to support data-driven decision-making and forecasting for the firm’s customers, products and portfolios.
• Adapt automation and machine learning techniques, data frameworks and implementation platforms to build scalable modeling solutions across data mining, segmentation, back testing, reporting and ongoing monitoring areas to speed up the model development process.
• Display organizational subject matter expertise on Rating scorecard deployment while partnering with MROC to communicate all models, ensure independent validation is scheduled, present models to committee, communicate to business lines, legal, compliance, risk committee, and all interested parties. Remediate any internal/external findings on a timely basis.
• Determine when redevelopment or recalibration is needed based on changes in market conditions/regulations/strategy and guide the redevelopment efforts
• Maintain a working knowledge of standard concepts, best practices and procedures within current behavioral/econometric modeling practices, as well as credit risk management, field to apply these to internal practices as appropriate.
• Exercise usual authority of a manager concerning staffing, performance appraisals, promotions, salary recommendations, performance management and terminations.
• Understand and adhere to the Company’s risk and regulatory standards, policies and controls in accordance with the Company’s Risk Appetite.  Design, implement, maintain and enhance internal controls to mitigate risk on an ongoing basis.  Identify risk-related issues needing escalation to management.
• Promote an environment that supports diversity and reflects the M&T Bank brand.
• Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable.
• Complete other related duties as assigned.

Scope of Responsibilities:

The Commercial Scorecard group is a critical component of the Credit Risk Management Framework  Risk Ratings are utilized in many areas of the bank and are a key driver of many enterprise level decisions such as the level of the Allowance for Loan and Lease losses, determining levels of Approval Authority and Asset Quality Metrics.  This role is highly technical/quantitative in nature and requires strong attention to detail, execution and follow-up on multiple initiatives within Credit.  The ability to identify, analyze, rationalize and communicate complex business problems and recommend solutions is a key factor of success in this role.  Success in this role requires the ability to use analytics in a collaborative effort across multiple functions and products to derive optimum solutions to business problems.  This position interacts with most business and functional areas of the Bank, as well as with vendors, risk management consultants and supervisory bodies.  The position also has occasional informational/educational meetings with internal and external customers.  The position communicates with executive management and regulatory bodies on all matters related to scorecard and behavioral modeling and possibly loss forecasting and stress testing areas to ensure their awareness of significant issues.  Further, the position actively participates in risk governance committees as assigned. 

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:

Direct management responsibility for 3– 10 Quantitative Credit Risk Management Analysts and Modelers. May have direct management responsibility for other Quantitative Risk Managers

Education and Experience Required:

Bachelors’ degree and a minimum of 11 years’ related experience, or in lieu of a degree, a combined minimum of 15 years’ higher education and/or work experience, including a minimum of 11 years’ related experience

Minimum of 4 years’ managerial experience

Strong understanding of quantitative analysis, econometric modeling, statistics, related mathematics and commercial bank balance sheet management

Advanced knowledge of risk analytics including development, implementation and use of all relevant technologies/methodologies within an operations and regulatory compliant framework

Strong quantitative skills

Strong model development skills

Strong financial skills

Strong economic skills

Strong statistical skills, including statistical programming and data structures

Knowledge of banking products and behaviors related to credit, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, stress testing and economic capital management

Excellent verbal and written communications skills

Strong cross-functional collaboration skills

Strong leadership skills

Strong presentation skills

Education and Experience Preferred:

3+ years of experience in developing sophisticated modeling framework based on cutting-edge / next-gen techniques (ML, Python, PySpark, R)

Strong understanding of quantitative analysis, econometric modeling, statistics, related mathematics and commercial bank ratings framework

Advanced knowledge of risk analytics including development, implementation and use of all relevant technologies/methodologies within an operations and regulatory compliant framework

Track record of gathering, matching, and processing large data sets across continuous/categorical (structured or unstructured data)

Knowledge of model development and governance standards across the banking sector, especially as related to credit card and consumer lending (SR11-7, OCC 11-12)

Excellent verbal and written communications skills,  cross-functional collaboration skills, leadership skills and  presentation skills

PhD in Mathematics, Statistics, Quantitative Analysis or another technical discipline is a plus Financial Risk Manager (FRM) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

Proven track record for being able to work autonomously and within a team environment

Strong desire to learn and contribute to a group

M&T Bank is committed to fair, competitive, and market-informed pay for our employees. The pay range for this position is $197,292.36 - $328,820.60 Annual (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation.

LocationBridgeport, Connecticut, United States of America