Model Validation Specialist

SMBC Group is a top-tier global financial group. Headquartered in Tokyo and with a 400-year history, SMBC Group offers a diverse range of financial services, including banking, leasing, securities, credit cards, and consumer finance. The Group has more than 130 offices and 80,000 employees worldwide in nearly 40 countries. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (SMFG) is the holding company of SMBC Group, which is one of the three largest banking groups in Japan. SMFG’s shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York (NYSE: SMFG) stock exchanges. In the Americas, SMBC Group has a presence in the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. Backed by the capital strength of SMBC Group and the value of its relationships in Asia, the Group offers a range of commercial and investment banking services to its corporate, institutional, and municipal clients. It connects a diverse client base to local markets and the organization’s extensive global network. The Group’s operating companies in the Americas include Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC), SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., SMBC Capital Markets, Inc., SMBC MANUBANK, JRI America, Inc., SMBC Leasing and Finance, Inc., Banco Sumitomo Mitsui Brasileiro S.A., and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., Ltd. The anticipated salary range for this role is between $95,000.00 and $140,000.00. The specific salary offered to an applicant will be based on their individual qualifications, experiences, and an analysis of the current compensation paid in their geography and the market for similar roles at the time of hire. The role may also be eligible for an annual discretionary incentive award. In addition to cash compensation, SMBC offers a competitive portfolio of benefits to its employees. Role Description The Associate, Model Risk & Validation (MRV) will support the independent validation and ongoing assessment of financial crime, risk, and other quantitative and non-quantitative models across the Firm. The role is responsible for executing validation testing, assessing model design and performance, reviewing model governance and documentation, and ensuring compliance with regulatory expectations and internal Model Risk Management (MRM) standards. The successful candidate will work closely with model developers, business stakeholders, and risk partners to identify model risks, evaluate model changes, and contribute to a strong model risk management framework. Exposure to Financial Crime Compliance domains, including AML, Fraud, Sanctions Screening, or Trade Compliance, is desirable; however, candidates with strong quantitative, analytical, and model risk management experience from other domains are encouraged to apply.Role Objectives: Delivery Conduct independent validations of AML, Fraud, Trade Compliance, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), and other quantitative and non-quantitative models, assessing conceptual soundness, data quality, methodology, implementation, controls, and ongoing performance. Execute validation testing, including data analysis, independent replication, benchmarking, sensitivity analysis, back-testing, performance monitoring, and outcome assessment to evaluate model effectiveness and fitness for purpose. Review model development documentation, governance frameworks, policies, procedures, and controls to ensure compliance with regulatory expectations and internal Model Risk Management (MRM) standards. Assess model changes, including recalibration, tuning, segmentation, parameter updates, and design enhancements resulting from evolving business activities, market conditions, customer behavior, or risk appetite. Identify model limitations, risks, and control weaknesses; communicate findings to model owners and senior stakeholders; and provide practical, risk-based recommendations for remediation. Prepare clear, concise, and regulatory-ready validation reports, workpapers, and supporting documentation, and track remediation activities through closure. Develop and enhance validation methodologies, testing frameworks, documentation templates, and automation solutions to improve consistency, efficiency, and coverage of validation activities. Support internal audits, regulatory examinations, and governance reviews by providing validation evidence, analysis, and subject matter expertise. Maintain current knowledge of AML, fraud, sanctions, trade compliance, AI/ML governance, and emerging regulatory and industry best practices. Qualifications and Skills Master’s degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related quantitative discipline, with 3–5 years of experience in Model Risk Management, Model Validation, AML/Fraud analytics, Financial Crime Compliance, or risk consulting within the financial services industry. Strong understanding of model validation principles, statistical and data analytics techniques, and regulatory expectations related to AML, Fraud, Trade Compliance, AI/ML, and other risk models. Proficiency in SQL and Python/R for data extraction, analysis, testing, and automation, with experience working with large datasets and exposure to cloud-based analytics environments (e.g., Azure). Familiarity with financial crime and risk management platforms such as Actimize, Fircosoft, world check, or similar systems is preferred . Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex data, prepare clear and concise documentation, and effectively communicate technical concepts and validation results to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, including senior management, and auditors SMBC’s employees participate in a Hybrid workforce model that provides employees with an opportunity to work from home, as well as, from an SMBC office. SMBC requires that employees live within a reasonable commuting distance of their office location. Prospective candidates will learn more about their specific hybrid work schedule during their interview process. Hybrid work may not be permitted for certain roles, including, for example, certain FINRA-registered roles for which in-office attendance for the entire workweek is required. SMBC provides reasonable accommodations during candidacy for applicants with disabilities consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please let us know at accommodations@smbcgroup.com.