Model Validator

Internal Model Validator 

About Us 

Climate X is a purpose-driven climate adaptation data company set to revolutionise how the world manages assets, property, and infrastructure.  

We apply cutting-edge, peer-reviewed science to help prevent the worst impacts of climate change. We combine climate projections, remote sensing observations, and modelling to project the frequency and severity of physical climate risks such as floods, subsidence, storms, etc. 

Our SaaS platform lets financial institutions and real estate firms look at future climate pathways to:  

• help identify how property/company assets could be damaged by severe weather events and 

• what that damage might do to the asset valuations.  

• become more resilient to climate change and make smarter investment and lending decisions. 

We advocate diversity with our founders, team, and investors from various backgrounds.  
We’re not building just a team but a place of innovation where problem solving, and fun coexist to address the most significant challenge our society is facing now.  

Role description

We are hiring the founding member to lead our in-house Model Validation team. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring the conceptual soundness, robustness and compliance with regulatory standards of our internal Climate, Hazard and Loss models.

As our internal validator you will work alongside our interdisciplinary Science team which consists of climate scientists, hazard scientists, geospatial experts and data scientists. You will play a key role in driving our models forward towards scientific excellence. Your role will be to verify our modelling approaches as part of our adherence to Model Risk Management (MRM) standards.

As part of this you will help manage our models through their life-cycle: coordinating technical validation reports, evaluating findings, recommending model improvements through communication with model developers and senior management. You will help drive model risk management activities and also communicate externally with our clients on our MRM approach and findings. This role has significant scope for career development and may in time grow to become the team lead of a small group of in-house validators.

Responsibilities:

• Manage models through their life-cycle: coordinating external technical validation reports, evaluating findings, and recommending model improvements through communication with model developers and senior management.
• Maintain our register of models, MRM documentation and help prioritise model improvements.
• Produce internal and external technical validation reports highlighting areas for model improvement; review and challenge validation results and outputs from the Science Team; and present findings to stakeholders including model developers, senior management and external partners.

Essential Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills with ability to explain complex concepts to a non-technical audience.
• Strong analytical skills and problem solving: Ability to assess the materiality of issues and determine appropriate courses of action to help drive model development.
• Experience in working in model risk either in a technical model development/validation role or as part of a model risk management team.
• 5 years experience in analytics and the development or validation of statistical models within the banking or financial services sector.
• Understanding of macroeconomics and/or IFRS9 / CRD modelling principles
• BSc/MSc in a STEM subject or equivalent familiarity/experience in a scientific discipline.

Desirable Skills

• Familiarity with banking standards such as PRA SS1/23
• Familiarity with climate modelling, climate risk scenarios, stress testing, and climate risk regulations.

Benefits 

🌍 Contribute to a business making purposeful impact related to climate change 

💡 Monthly training & conference budget to help you upskill and develop your career (£1,000 per year) 

📈 6 monthly appraisals and 12 monthly pay reviews 

💰 Pension contribution scheme 

🏡 Flexible hours and hybrid working (3 days/week in office; core hours 10am-4pm) 

🏥 Mental Health and Wellbeing support via Oliva  

🏖 25 days holiday, plus Bank Holidays, annual 3-day Christmas-closure, and half day on your birthday (36.5 days total!) 

🏏 Optional quarterly socials, dinners, and fun nights out 

🥐 A fully stocked supply of snacks, fruit, and refreshments for the days when you are in the office 

👩‍🍼 Enhanced maternity, paternity and pawternity 

Equal Opportunities 

Climate X are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.