Job Summary

The  Senior algo-trading model validation quant will join the Traded Risk Model Validation (TRM) function at Standard Chartered Bank. The team is responsible for conducting in-depth, independent technical validations of models used to measure pricing, market risk, and counterparty credit risk across all derivative asset classes.

This role focuses on validating algorithmic trading models used within FX and Rates e-markets. The successful candidate will assess model risk, develop benchmark and challenger models, enhance standardised testing frameworks, and provide mentorship to validation teams across London and Poland. The position requires close collaboration with stakeholders across the UK, Poland, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the US. The successful candidate is expected to have mentoring responsibility across the London and Poland based teams.

Key Responsibilities

Model Validation & Technical Oversight

• Conduct independent validations of algorithmic trading models.
• Assess model design, theoretical soundness, implementation, and limitations to determine fitness for purpose.
• Develop and implement benchmark or alternative models to independently challenge front-office and vendor models.
• Design and enhance standardised validation testing frameworks to quantify and monitor model risk.
• Deliver high-quality validation reports within agreed timelines, clearly articulating findings, risks, and recommendations.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Partner with Front Office traders, Algorithmic Quant Traders, model developers, Market Risk, and Valuation Control throughout the model lifecycle.
• Provide independent opinion on model risk exposures within credit and macro algorithmic trading strategies.
• Escalate identified model issues and review remediation plans to ensure effective risk mitigation.

Governance & Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain accurate and comprehensive model documentation within the Group’s Model Risk Inventory and lifecycle management systems.
• Ensure adherence to Group Model Risk Policies, standards, and relevant operational risk controls.
• Participate in governance forums overseeing valuation model performance and risk.
• Maintain awareness of evolving regulatory requirements and ensure validation practices meet supervisory expectations.
• Uphold the highest standards of ethics, regulatory compliance, and business conduct in line with the Bank’s Code of Conduct.

Skills & Experience

• Strong expertise in statistical and machine learning models applied to financial markets.
• Deep understanding of FX and Fixed Income e-markets, including market microstructure and trading dynamics.
• Knowledge of algorithmic trading models including execution algorithms, automated hedging, alpha prediction, and hit rate models.
• Advanced proficiency in Python; familiarity with additional programming languages is advantageous.
• Strong quantitative background in in mathematical finance, optimisation, numerical methods.
• Experience working with Rates/FX e-trading datasets (e.g. RFQs, trade data, bond prices, swap rates).
• Exposure to ePricing platforms is highly desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical concepts clearly to senior stakeholders.

• Proven experience in either a model validation or model development role covering algorithmic trading / pricing

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent advanced degree in a highly quantitative discipline (e.g. Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, Mathematical Finance), or equivalent experience demonstrating strong independent technical critique capability.
• Demonstrated application of statistical, optimisation, and machine learning techniques (e.g., time series analysis, classification, supervised and unsupervised learning) within financial contexts.
• Advanced knowledge of FX/Fixed Incomes markets with deep understanding of market practices and market drivers is required. 
• Fluent English (written and spoken).

About Standard Chartered

We're an international bank, nimble enough to act, big enough for impact. For more than 170 years, we've worked to make a positive difference for our clients, communities, and each other. We question the status quo, love a challenge and enjoy finding new opportunities to grow and do better than before. If you're looking for a career with purpose and you want to work for a bank making a difference, we want to hear from you. You can count on us to celebrate your unique talents and we can't wait to see the talents you can bring us.

Our purpose, to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, together with our brand promise, to be here for good are achieved by how we each live our valued behaviours. When you work with us, you'll see how we value difference and advocate inclusion.

Together we:

• Do the right thing and are assertive, challenge one another, and live with integrity, while putting the client at the heart of what we do
• Never settle, continuously striving to improve and innovate, keeping things simple and learning from doing well, and not so well
• Are better together, we can be ourselves, be inclusive, see more good in others, and work collectively to build for the long term

What we offer

In line with our Fair Pay Charter, we offer a competitive salary and benefits to support your mental, physical, financial and social wellbeing.

• Core bank funding for retirement savings, medical and life insurance, with flexible and voluntary benefits available in some locations.
• Time-off including annual leave, parental/maternity (20 weeks), sabbatical (12 months maximum) and volunteering leave (3 days), along with minimum global standards for annual and public holiday, which is combined to 30 days minimum.
• Flexible working options based around home and office locations, with flexible working patterns.
• Proactive wellbeing support through Unmind, a market-leading digital wellbeing platform, development courses for resilience and other human skills, global Employee Assistance Programme, sick leave, mental health first-aiders and all sorts of self-help toolkits
• A continuous learning culture to support your growth, with opportunities to reskill and upskill and access to physical, virtual and digital learning.
• Being part of an inclusive and values driven organisation, one that embraces and celebrates our unique diversity, across our teams, business functions and geographies - everyone feels respected and can realise their full potential.