Quantitative Analyst I (Model Risk Management)

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The Quantitative Analyst I position will serve as a critical member of the Enterprise Model Risk Management unit. The Enterprise Model Risk Management unit is responsible for conducting and/or providing oversight for three primary enterprise level functions: model development, model validation, and ongoing model monitoring. The Quantitative Analyst will assist in the Second Line of Defense primarily involving model validation, model monitoring activities, and oversight of cascading risk metrics and controls which require various degrees of mathematical, financial, and statistical complexity.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Producing written reports containing quantitative and qualitative critique of assumptions, limitations, conceptual soundness, accuracy, and performance of statistical, economic, financial, and other mathematical models
• Developing and executing a comprehensive methodology to determine the appropriateness of models and their functionality
• Recommending appropriate remediation for issues or concerns identified during the model review and validation processes
• Ensure all departmental documents and activities comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures as applicable to this position, including completion of required compliance training
• Provides effective challenge to model developers, users, and owners during the model development, acquisition, validation and review processes.
• Assists in the creation and maintenance of the policies, standards, and procedures required to implement the Enterprise Model Risk Management framework
• Communicating technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Performs other duties and ad hoc analysis as assigned by supervisors and management

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field such as Statistics, Mathematics, Operations Research, Finance, or Economics/Econometrics with 2 years or more of directly related work experience developing or validating models preferably at financial institutions
• Experience working within regulatory guidance FRB SR 11-7 or OCC 2011-12
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as procedure manuals, general business correspondence, technical journals, or government regulations
• Ability to read and interpret financial report and/or legal documents
• Ability to write routine reports and business correspondence
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations with customers, clients, and other members of the bank
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency in MS Office suite
• Advanced ability in a programming language
• Ability to work under pressure and deliver according to milestones
• Ability to integrate into a high-performing team
• Effective communication skills

Skills

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as procedure manuals, general business correspondence and/or journals or government regulations
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret financial report and/or legal documents
• Ability to write simple correspondence, routine reports and business correspondence
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations, to customers, clients and other employees in the organization

Preferred Qualifications

• MA, MS, or PhD in a quantitative field such as Statistics, Mathematics, Operations Research, Finance, or Economics/Econometrics with 1 year or more of directly related work experience developing or validating models preferably at financial institutions
• Experience conducting independent, documented research such as thesis, dissertation, or other peer-reviewed publication
• Experience developing or validating Machine Learning (AI/ML), survival analysis, anomaly detection, ensemble, or other advanced statistical models
• 4+ years of experience using R, SAS, Python, or other statistical programming software
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or Financial Risk Manager (FRM) or other relevant certifications
• Knowledge and proficient use of data management tools
• Advanced knowledge of regression-based modeling practices
• Ability to work on a diverse set of high priority projects simultaneously
• Demonstrated critical thinking ability and innovation

Computer Skills

• MS Office programs

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or Financial Risk Manager (FRM) certifications preferred

Other Qualifications (including physical requirements)

• Knowledge and proficient use of data management tools
• Knowledge and proficient use of statistical software
• Advanced knowledge of econometric/regression-based modeling practices
• Ability to work on a diverse set of high priority projects simultaneously
• Strong written communication skills
• Strong oral communication skills, including conversing with non-quantitative analyst managers, financial institution regulators, internal and external auditors.

Equal Employment Opportunity Information: Simmons First National Corporation and its subsidiaries are committed to a policy of equal employment with respect to a person's race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, covered veterans, military status, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected classifications. Simmons First National Corporation and its subsidiaries are committed to Affirmative Action Programs consisting of results-oriented procedures to ensure equal employment opportunities. These programs require positive action in lieu of neutral non-discrimination and merit hiring/performance policies.