Head of Strategy, Analytics, and Optimization - Reimagine

Why should you join our team?

American AgCredit offers a unique opportunity to be a part of a national financial system supporting those who feed, clothe and fuel the world. We are a growing organization embracing collaboration and innovation while delivering transformative solutions. American AgCredit provides a cultivating environment where you truly make a difference for our customers and teams.

Benefits offered by American AgCredit:

• Commitment to agriculture and the communities we serve
• Family friendly work environment
• Investment in employee development
• Medical, Dental and Vision coverage
• Outstanding 401k – automatic 3% employer contribution, plus match up to 6%
• Generous Paid Time Off (Vacation accrued at 26 days annually, Sick Days accrued at 15 days annually, 12 paid holidays, plus 16 hours of volunteer time)
• Competitive Incentive Compensation Plan
• Disability & Life Insurance
• Employee mental, physical, and financial wellness programs
• The position is bonus eligible based on association and personal performance

Position will be posted until filled.

Basic Function:

We are seeking a forward-thinking Head of Strategy, Analytics, and Optimization to be part of a leadership team that brings our vision to radically simplify and speed up agricultural lending to life. This role requires an entrepreneurial mindset, strong analytical expertise, and a passion for delivering innovative solutions. The ideal candidate will combine deep risk management knowledge with advanced data modeling skills to optimize automated decisioning, monitor risk, and drive business growth within the company’s risk appetite. This role will lead a small team of analytics professionals and will manage outside contract resources.   

Essential Duties:

• Serve as the primary risk leader for this area of our business, partnering with technology and go-to-market (GTM) teams to ensure quality risk controls while delivering an elevated user experience.

• Lead a small team of professionals focused on analytics and optimization to simplify and speed up how we provide capital to our customers.

• Implement risk metrics and dashboards for real time monitoring of system performance and risk exposure.

• Drive automation in credit decisioning processes through optimized credit scorecards that function within our board approved risk appetite.

• Oversee the use of the American AgCredit (AAC) automated valuation models for real estate valuation within this area of our business. Liaison with AAC data science teams on continuous improvement of the models.

• Partner with product leadership to incorporate robust preference testing (AB) techniques and behavioral analytics to optimize digital engagement and refine product offering.

• Act as a challenger and advisor to technology and product teams to ensure risk considerations are embedded in design and enhancements.

• Direct the exploration, experiment, and robust testing of potential AI enhancements in all parts of our approach to simplification and rapid access to funds to optimize overall performance.  

• Evaluate new solutions to ensure alignment with risk management standards.

• Partner with AAC risk leaders to tailor our solutions to meet the evolving needs of the business while ensuring actions and products are in line with the association’s risk appetite.

• Ensure adherence to relevant financial regulations, data privacy laws, and industry standards for technology enabled capital solutions.

• Conduct thorough risk assessments, identify potential exposures and recommend mitigation strategies.

• Maintain accurate records of risk assessments, compliance reviews, and regulatory findings. Prepare reports for senior leadership and regulatory bodies as needed.

• Liaison with internal Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) experts to ensure all decisions and processes are documented, approved, and monitored within our enterprise risk appetite standards.

• Perform other duties as assigned.
  

Levels of Supervision Exercised & Received:

Exercises direct supervision of the Reimagine analytics team; makes independent decisions; works under general direction of the Executive Head of Product Strategy and with matrix responsibility into AAC risk team. Ensure effective management of the department including employing, setting performance standards, evaluating performance, correcting deficiencies, developing skills, coaching, and making salary adjustments. Inspire a growing team of Reimagine analytics professionals. Build organizational capacity and future leaders to enable success.

Typical Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Risk Management, Data Science, or related field is required.  Ten (10) years related finance, risk, or technology leadership experience would be considered in lieu of degree.

• Ten (10) years of experience in risk management, with strong exposure to digital lending or financial technology, is required. Fifteen (15) years of experience is required for candidates with experience in lieu of degree. Deep knowledge of ag lending regulations and loan portfolio risk is required.

• Proven expertise in data analytics and advanced modeling is required.

• Expert knowledge and thorough understanding of Enterprise Risk Management frameworks (e.g., COSO) risk management processes, risk appetite statements, key risk measures/indicators (leading vs. lagging), risk assessment, and review is required.

• Strong business acumen with very high attention to detail and level of accuracy is required.

• Strong understanding of automated credit decisioning and valuation models is required.

• Ability to lead and inspire a team while influencing cross-functional stakeholders is required.

• Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for innovation and business growth is required.

• Excellent communication skills for executive reporting and regulatory engagement is required.

• Desire and ability to travel, as requested by the business, up to 20% domestic, is required.

Essential Job Requirements:

Must have the ability to perform basic office tasks and work in a typical office setting. Employee will be sitting for extended periods of time and accomplishing work at a desk and work at a computer for an extended period of time.  Must have strong written and verbal communication skills to adequately convey ideas and work well with a team.  Ability to talk and hear, sit and use their hands and fingers, and reach in all directions is essential in performance of the job. Some lifting and moving of items up to 25 pounds required. Work during established business hours and may require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

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Note:  This description indicates, in general terms, the type and level or work performed and responsibilities held by the employee.  The company reserves the right to add to, delete, change or modify the job duties at any time.

PAY RANGE:

This range is reflective of the national salary average for this position and will be adjusted using geographic variance for physical location of the hired candidate. American AgCredit may compensate outside of the salary range for bona fide reasons not related to membership in a protected class.

• Reflected is the national base pay range and title offered for this job at the current level.

• Compensation, title, and job level may be adjusted based on candidate qualifications including but not limited to achievements, skills, experience, or work location.

• Salary offered, within the applicable range, is one component of the total rewards package offered to candidates.

All hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or transfer visas for applicants.

American AgCredit provides equal opportunity in employment to all employees and applicants. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, alienage or citizenship status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, genetic information, medical condition, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, military service or veteran status, victims of domestic violence, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. American AgCredit prohibits harassment of any individuals on any of the bases listed above.
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