Associate Managing Director - Modelling & Quant Analytics

At Moody's, we unite the brightest minds to turn today’s risks into tomorrow’s opportunities. We do this by striving to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome to be who they are-with the freedom to exchange ideas, think innovatively, and listen to each other and customers in meaningful ways. 

If you are excited about this opportunity but do not meet every single requirement, please apply! You still may be a great fit for this role or other open roles. We are seeking candidates who model our values: invest in every relationship, lead with curiosity, champion diverse perspectives, turn inputs into actions, and uphold trust through integrity. 

Line of Business:

The Methodology Review Group (MRG) in Moody’s Ratings is an internal review function tasked with reviewing and approving all credit rating methodologies, as well as the related models, scorecards and analytical tools used in Moody’s Ratings.

Part of MRG’s mandate is to validate all credit rating models and scorecards when they are first introduced and as material revisions are made to them. MRG also validates all outstanding credit rating models on an annual basis.

MRG collaborates closely with stakeholders and teams across Credit Strategy and Standards, rating groups, technology services, and other control functions such as Risk, Compliance and Legal to ensure robust review and oversight of Moody’s Ratings credit rating methodologies.

The Role/Responsibilities:

The opportunity is for an Associate Managing Director (AMD) to take management responsibility for a dynamic and growing team of model validation specialists based in New York and India overseeing MRG’s validation program. This position will report to the Global Head of MRG and will be a key part of MRG’s leadership team.

The AMD will be responsible for three core functions: (1) delivering on our Agency of Choice objectives by effectuating a robust review and control validation framework, (2) leading change and (3) talent management.

Through the leadership of the AMD, the team’s focus is to pro-actively manage outstanding validation projects, including timely and in scope delivery alongside stakeholder management. This will require developing an in-depth knowledge of the project development approach used at Moody’s Ratings, including agile principles and applicable policies and procedures.

The AMD will be a proactive and energetic change agent who will lead and support MRG validation initiatives across all sectors, with additional focus on AI/Machine Learning technologies. The AMD will inspire a culture of curiosity, active listening, and continuous learning of the team. As a change leader, they will intentionally streamline process complexity as well as identify and execute opportunities to increase the consistency and transparency of our validation approach. It will be critical for success to invest in every relationship and develop a network across regions and functions.

The AMD will play a pivotal role in developing and raising the team’s talent profile whilst being a champion for diverse perspectives. The role will require significant stakeholder interactions and internal coordination to elevate the team’s profile and address stakeholder needs. In this capacity, the AMD is expected to make intentional and bold decisions to evolve the team’s talent: ensuring the team has the right mix of quantitative, statistical, and subject matter expertise combined with strong collaboration and communication skills, is digitally curious and is deeply aligned to our strategic direction.

This is a highly visible position, in a dynamic group with fast-evolving stakeholders. The role will require pragmatic, decisive and strategic thinking skills and the ability to garner extensive internal credibility and turn inputs into actions.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver on MRG’s robust control priorities, specifically in developing, maintaining, and adapting our model validation framework.
• Partner and communicate with senior stakeholders across Moody’s Ratings to understand market developments, priorities and analytical rationales for projects.
• Update and maintain the validation pipeline and periodically report out priorities to senior management in CSS and rating groups. Pro-actively manage outstanding validation work, ensuring analytical rigor, consistency and transparency in the approach taken.
• Identify procedural, technological or analytical changes which mitigate risks and enhance product and process quality, improve efficiency and continuously strengthen rigor and consistency in close cooperation with the MRG leadership team.
• Develop and execute talent plan, collaborating with stakeholders and our People team, as appropriate, in attracting, hiring, developing and retaining talented validation specialists, with the requisite mix of credit, technical and change management skills. Provide coaching of best practices for professional excellence and build an inclusive culture.
• Undertake and coordinate ad hoc projects to advance the franchise and support global or sector-specific priorities, particularly in AI/Machine Learning.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant policies, procedures and other operating documents.
• Champion and support DE&I initiatives, events and discussions.
• Demonstrate/model Moody’s values with a positive influence on the team with a key focus on upholding trust through integrity.

Qualifications:

• 12-15+ years of professional experience in modeling, statistical analysis, validation, or similar areas.
• Proven managerial skills and experience. Ability to manage a team of quantitative analysts; motivate and develop individuals and leverage diverse skillsets.
• Strong intellectual curiosity, with aptitude in dealing with complex situations and track record in idea generation.
• Ability to think strategically and execute strategies within the team and across the franchise.
• Ability to drive change, foster an environment that encourages creativity and innovation.
• Excellent communication skills - ability to communicate clearly and succinctly and articulate complex analytic and strategic issues and influence audiences of various backgrounds.
• Highly organized and efficient, with ability to multi-task and meet all deliverables and deadlines.
• Collaborative and innovative leadership: able to work across business functions and drive a culture that promotes collaboration, diversity, and inclusion; and effects change through partnership with stakeholders. An agile and open-minded thinker.
• Demonstrable change management experience.
• Process simplification and harmonization experience.

Moody’s is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.

Candidates for Moody's Corporation may be asked to disclose securities holdings pursuant to Moody’s Policy for Securities Trading and the requirements of the position. Employment is contingent upon compliance with the Policy, including remediation of positions in those holdings as necessary.