Associate Director, Risk Analytics and Data Science

The position will be located in the Norwalk, CT or the Itasca, IL office and candidate must come into the office 4 days a week.  

Position Overview:

As an Associate Director, Risk Analytics and Data Science at Mitsubishi HC Capital America, INC. (MHCA), you will play a leadership role in advancing the capabilities and maturity of the firm’s Risk Management and Strategic Planning functions. This is a risk analytics as well as a data science role dedicated to successfully managing the firm’s credit and enterprise risk. You will drive collaboration with cross-functional teams to lead efforts to identify improvement opportunities, source data, create analyses, design solutions, and implement change. You will be responsible for developing complex datasets, extracting meaningful insights, deploying predictive models & data driven solutions to optimize portfolio performance and manage risk appetite. This role assumes strong competency utilizing advanced analytical tools. Furthermore, you will be responsible for training Risk Management and Strategic Planning colleagues on these advanced analytical tools to promote broader usage and advancement throughout the enterprise.

Commitment to Internal Control:

The Associate Director Data Science and Risk Analytics is required to possess a comprehensive understanding of and adhere to the system of internal controls associated with the fundamental duties and responsibilities of the role. This includes compliance with SOX and all other pertinent regulatory and compliance policies and requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Risk Analytics

• Optimize firm’s analytical capabilities, data driven decisioning, and overall performance.
• Drive business results by enhancing MHCA’s data continuum including data architecture, data analytics, and data governance and their unique interdependencies.
• Create useful, timely, and actionable analytical positions based on large structured and unstructured data sets.
• Ensure analytical positions foster action and inform decisioning to enhance critical business processes and maximize outcomes.
• Communicate analytical positions, and recommendations to stakeholders through clear and compelling data visualizations, reports, and presentations.
• Determine appropriate data providers (3rd party/bureau) and develop relationship focused on data collection, and integration efforts, including bureau archives, bureau attribute selection, third party scores, internal data repositories, and reporting tools.
• Perform credit buy-box analytics for the various parts of MHCA ensuring that MHCA is decisioning the various credit segments in an optimized manner (approve/decline decisions, as well as structuring decisions). 
• Develop consistent, repeatable, and reliable data and analysis packages aimed toward changing the way we do business. Output to include both high-level summaries and smaller scale/ portfolio specific reviews.
• Utilize analytical skill set to monitor, manage, and improve portfolio trends and key inflection points affecting predictiveness in credit models and evaluation tools. Drive effectiveness and consistency in underwriting processes to maintain health and stability in the various lease and loan portfolios.
• Develop and maintain analytical products that promote accuracy in credit scoring and credit risk identification and assessment. 
• Promote profitability through development, rollout, and day to day management of an effective and repeatable pricing strategy & framework across business verticals.

Data Science 

• Lead the design and development of enterprise-grade deep analytics.
• Explore and analyze large, complex datasets to identify patterns, trends, and correlations.
• Implement automation and streamline processes to optimize the entire data and analytics platform, ensuring efficient throughput and high-performance outcomes.
• Lead comprehensive initiative to democratize the use of Advanced Analytics tools (such as Python, R, or SQL) and systems across the Risk and Strategic Planning teams.
• Partner with the Data and Business Intelligence teams on the design, development, implementation, operation, and ongoing support of critical systems and tools. 
• Maintain proficiency with top industry analytical tools and systems.
• Train Risk Management and Strategic Planning colleagues on tools. 
• Explore and grasp emerging technologies while collaborating closely with peer teams to establish strategic roadmaps and priorities.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and analytics technologies.
• Represent Risk Management and Strategic Planning in Business Intelligence and Data team design discussions, code reviews, and project-related meetings.
• Work closely with Business Intelligence team to develop data warehouse/Power BI/SalesForce dashboard views for several segments of the business.

KPI’s (Key Performance Indicators):

• Enterprise reporting and analytics. 
  1. Transparency and accessibility i.e., increase and enhance the amount of portfolio data and analytics recorded in central repository and made available for process and performance improvement. 
• Model Risk Management. 
  1. Improved performance of regular enterprise-wide model testing and overall validation of credit adjudication and other predictive models. 
• Performance forecasting.
  1.  Enhanced ability to assess market and industry trends to proactively maximize portfolio performance. 
• Reserve/write-off approach.
  1.  Utilization of more robust quantitative and qualitative model inputs via back testing and analyzing point in time allowance vs. actual lifetime loss performance.
• This position is expected to help drive credit/risk strategy throughout the organization and will be monitored on their effectiveness.
• In addition to previously listed KPI’s SVP Credit Planning will evaluate the performance of the individual in this position by reviewing the quality of the work produced within the abovementioned set of responsibilities.

Responsibility and Decision-Making Authority:

• Exercise independent judgment and decision-making while adhering to Company Policy.

Management/Supervisory Responsibilities: 

None

Qualifications:

Background in Credit Risk analytics and strategy.

Proven work experience in Data Science or deep analytics in the financial sector. 

Strong ability to communicate analytical positions in both written and verbal form throughout all parts of the business and to all levels of MHCA colleagues.

Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to distill complex technical concepts into understandable insights for non-technical stakeholders.

Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, or SQL with SAS experience in data manipulation, statistical analysis, and machine learning.

Experience developing and deploying Data Science solutions leveraging components like Azure OpenAI and Azure Notebooks. 

Understanding of banking / financial services industry business model

Strong analytical mindset and understanding of predictive performance models including application, assessment, and validation. 

Experienced process mapping / workout skill set with keen ability to identify process gaps and improvement opportunities.

Strong expertise in data visualization tools such as PowerBI or Tableau.

Strong problem-solving skills and a passion for driving business impact through data-driven decision-making.

Experience working with data integration techniques & self-service data preparation.

Competencies:

Thinking Skills – Cognitive Ability, Analytical Ability, Problem-Solving

Technical / Professional – Detail Oriented, Thoroughness

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

15 years of relevant industry experience.

Must have experience in training colleagues on programming languages/ analytical tools such as Python, R, SQL, and SAS with experience in data manipulation, statistical analysis, and machine learning. 

Tools and Equipment Used:            

Personal computer, copier, phone, and other typical office equipment.

Working Hours:

Hours may vary and will require some evening work; frequently requires working 40-45 hours/week depending on business needs.

Travel:

Occasional travel related to attendance at industry seminars and other MHCA locations.

Physical Demands:

Digital dexterity and hand/eye coordination in operation of office equipment.

Light lifting and carrying of supplies, files, etc.

Ability to speak to and hear customers and/or other employees via phone or in person.

Body motor skills sufficient to enable incumbent to move from one office location to another.

The job description does not constitute an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

The position is exempt and the salary will be between $160,000.00 and $192,000.00 with an opportunity to a discretionary bonus. 

The salary range is determined and based on internal equity, market data/ranges, applicant's skills, prior relevant experience and education.

Additional benefits:

- Medical, Dental, and vision plans

- 401(k) and matching

- Paid Time Off

- Company Paid Life Insurance

- Employee Assistance Program

- Training and Development Opportunities