Manager, Model Risk at Sallie Mae in Newark, DE

Job description

When you join Sallie Mae, you become a champion for all students. We’re on a mission to power confidence as students begin their unique journey. To help them plan their higher education, successfully finish, and prepare for life after school. To help them Start smart. Learn big. Students need guidance navigating this important time in their life. They need someone who acknowledges that their education path is unique. They need a partner willing to evolve and not only meet but surpass their expectations. We’re changing. Because students need a better way. We’re looking for people who are excited to drive this transformation. To break barriers and think of new ways to adapt, help, and create better experiences for students—and for each other. This is where diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives matter. It’s where you’re empowered to bring your authentic self to work. Feeling your best allows you to do your best. Our benefits take care of the whole you—from physical and mental to financial and professional. You’ll get opportunities to further your education and career, support for you and your family (including your pets!), paid time off to volunteer for the things that matter to you, and more. We’re obsessed with impact and making a real difference. For us, that means putting relationships first, asking “why not?” when tackling challenges, and continuously learning new skills. Come do more than join something, change something. For students, for future generations, for the future of education. Position Summary The Manager, Model Risk is a senior individual contributor responsible for independently leading model validation activities and providing effective challenge across the model lifecycle. The role operates within the second line of defense and provides independent effective challenge evaluating the conceptual soundness, data, methodology, implementation, performance, limitations, and governance of models used across the enterprise and supports compliance with the organization's Model Risk Management framework and applicable regulatory expectations. Key Responsibilities Independently plan and execute risk-based validations of new and existing models, including assessments of conceptual soundness, data quality, methodology, assumptions, implementation, performance, limitations, and documentation. Lead validation engagements from scoping through final reporting, including the development of testing approaches, documentation of findings, and communication of conclusions. Provide independent effective challenge to model developers, owners, and users and assess whether identified model risks are appropriately understood, documented, and mitigated. Evaluate model performance monitoring, change management, ongoing review, and governance practices for alignment with the Model Risk Management framework and applicable regulatory expectations. Perform quantitative analysis and testing using relevant statistical techniques and programming tools such as Python or R. Prepare clear, well-supported validation reports and present conclusions, limitations, and findings to business partners, senior management, governance committees, and regulators, as appropriate. Partner with model development, risk, finance, technology, and business teams while maintaining independent second-line oversight. Contribute to enhancements of model validation practices, procedures, templates, and risk assessment methodologies. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in mathematics, statistics, economics, finance, data science, engineering, or a related quantitative field. 5+ years of direct experience performing model validation, independent model review, or closely related model risk oversight within financial services. Demonstrated experience evaluating model conceptual soundness, data, assumptions, methodology, implementation, performance, limitations, and ongoing monitoring. Proficiency in Python, R, SAS, SQL, or comparable analytical tools used to independen