QA Analyst Risk IT - AVP

Job description

SMBC: A trusted partner for the long term Here at SMBC Group, we want to help you find the next step in your career so read on to discover if this opportunity is the one for you. We like to recognise potential in our people, so we welcome your application even when your experience doesn’t perfectly align with the job description. Whilst we’ll always strive to be better, we’re proud of our inclusive culture, and encourage our applicants and colleagues to be their authentic, unique selves. Who we are United by a sense of purpose towards our customers – to be a trusted partner for the long-term – and our universal banking platform in EMEA, SMBC Group has an international growth agenda and award-winning products, meaning we provide exciting opportunities to work on a diverse range of projects and initiatives. We deliver a full suite of corporate finance products and solutions to our customers as well as investment banking and advisory services, and a range of innovative solutions in global capital markets. Read on to find out how you could enhance your skills and gain valuable experience, by joining us to support our clients transition to a sustainable future. Purpose of Job SMBC is seeking an experienced QA Analyst (AVP level) to support testing activities for new solutions delivery across the Risk Technology function, covering Market Risk, Liquidity Risk, ESG Risk, and Model Validation platforms. The role will focus on developing new project test strategies, plans, and scripts, executing and managing the QA process for new projects while conforming and contributing to the central QA and testing strategy, ensuring alignment with the bank’s established QA governance frameworks, risk control standards, and delivery processes, and supporting continuous improvement of testing practices. The QA Analyst will work closely with stakeholders across Market and Liquidity Risk, ESG, Model Validation, Technology, and the Business to ensure consistent, robust, and high‑quality testing delivery across new Risk delivery initiatives and projects. The role plays a key part in validating risk models, calculations, data integrity, and reporting solutions, ensuring they are fit for purpose and meet internal governance and regulatory expectations. The ideal candidate will combine strong hands‑on QA and testing expertise with solid domain knowledge across at least two of Market Risk, Liquidity Risk, ESG Risk, and Model Validation, experience delivering regulatory‑driven change, and the ability to operate effectively across Risk and Technology teams within a highly governed environment. "The anticipated salary range for this role is £56,000-£84,000, with the final offer determined based on the candidate’s skills, experience, role scope, location, and relevant market factors. In addition to base salary, the role may be eligible for a discretionary incentive award and a competitive benefits package, including core benefits such as pension provision."​ Key Responsibilities Prepare test strategies, plans, and scripts for new solutions delivery. Support the delivery of automated testing across new solutions delivery. Execute hands‑on functional, SIT, UAT, and regression testing across Market Risk, Liquidity Risk, ESG Risk, and Model Validation systems Test the implementation of risk models, including methodologies, calculations, and reporting outputs, ensuring correctness across sensitivities, limits, stress testing, liquidity metrics Review solutions design, functional designs, user stories, etc and validate against business requirements to ensure new solutions delivery will meet business requirements early in the software delivery life cycle. Perform hands‑on testing of prototypes, validating early‑stage solutions, calculation logic, data flows, and reporting design Conduct data quality, reconciliation, and lineage testing across upstream and downstream risk systems Define and maintain test strategies, test plans, test cases, regression packs, and test evidence, ensuring traceability to business and regulatory requirements Analyse defects, perform root‑cause analysis, and coordinate fix validation and retesting with development and vendor teams Support the Risk QA Manager in ensuring QA governance, controls, and quality standards are consistently applied across Risk IT projects. Ensure testing activities comply with internal governance frameworks, regulatory expectations, and audit requirements Contribute to audit and regulatory reviews by providing test evidence, documentation, and responses to queries as required Support release readiness and QA sign‑off, including environment validation and dependency management Collaborate with Risk, Model Validation, Compliance, Regulatory Change, and IT stakeholders to ensure delivery quality and alignment Drive continuous improvement in QA processes, reporting, and tooling Required Qualifications and Skills Proven experience in Quality Assurance or testing within banking or financial services, with a strong focus on Risk IT Hands‑on experience testing two of Market Risk, Liquidity Risk, ESG, and ESG risk indicators platforms and supporting regulatory change initiatives Good understanding of risk calculations, methodologies, stress testing, limits, and liquidity metrics Good understanding of EBA and PRA prudential handbooks and their impact on Risk systems and regulatory outcomes Working knowledge of Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) principles and risk governance standards Experience delivering testing within highly governed environments, including audit and regulatory expectations Strong hands‑on experience using SQL for data analysis, reconciliations, and validation across Risk systems Experience with Python, R, or similar for data validation, analysis, and supporting data‑driven QA activities Solid understanding of SDLC / STLC and experience using Jira, Xray, or similar test management tools Ability to analyse business requirements and translate them into effective test scenarios Excellent communication skills and strong analytical thinking. Experience working in Agile/Scrum environments. Personal Attributes Strong analytical mindset with a risk‑ and control‑focused approach, applying judgement consistent with regulatory and governance standards High attention to detail and strong commitment to accuracy, quality, and risk integrity Proactive and self‑driven, with a strong sense of ownership and accountability for testing outcomes Confident in constructively challenging requirements, assumptions, and results from a Risk and Model Validation perspective Effective problem‑solver with the ability to analyse complex risk data, calculations, and model outputs Clear and structured communicator, able to engage effectively with Risk, Model Validation, Technology, and Compliance stakeholders Collaborative team player who works well across Risk and Technology functions in a highly governed environment An individual who can work collaboratively with multiple support teams on emerging issues An individual with a positive, approachable personality who can build strong rapport with colleagues, foster a supportive team environment, and interact kindly and respectfully with everyone Preferred Skills Experience working with Market Risk technology platforms, including trade lifecycle processing, risk engines, and risk reporting solutions Experience supporting Model Validation activities, including validation of model inputs, outputs, assumptions, and governance controls Exposure to ESG Risk and Reporting frameworks, data, metrics, and evolving regulatory expectations Strong experience in risk data validation, reconciliation, and lineage analysis, using SQL or equivalent analytical tools Experience validating risk data aggregation and control frameworks, aligned to BCBS principles Exposure to test automation, scripting, or data‑driven testing approaches within Risk IT Exposure to CI/CD pipelines supporting automated testing and controlled releases Education and Certifications Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, Finance, Mathematics, or a related discipline Professional testing certifications such as ISTQB Foundation, ISTQB Technical Test Analyst, or ISTQB Advanced Test Analyst preferred What we offer For all the expertise and experience you bring to help us make a difference, it’s only sustainable if we support you to build your career and be your best self so we offer competitive company benefits, centred around promoting positive well-bring and work-life balance. We also believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, where all team members perspectives and contributions are valued. Initiatives in place which promote a diverse and inclusive culture and healthy work life balance include hybrid working, Sport & Social Clubs and Diversity and Inclusion networks. As an employee of SMBC you have access to a host of both useful and exciting benefit offerings. See below some of the benefits on offer to you: Hybrid and flexible working Competitive paid leave days Benefits to support your physical wellbeing, including private medical insurance and life and invalidity insurance Various policies to support your mental wellbeing, including a robust behavioural health network with counselling and coaching services Access a wide range of learning and development opportunities and career progression opportunities Ambitious remuneration package So, if you like a challenge and want to continuously grow and develop in a role where you will be supported along the way by a dynamic and diverse team, apply today!! We recognise our role as a bank to support social change and welcome all applications, including those from groups often under-represented in financial services. We value the uniqueness of professional and personal, backgrounds and perspectives as they play a vital role in continuing the sustainable growth of our organisation. We’ll ensure reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process are offered due to a disability or long-term condition whenever requested. We are committed to transparent and equitable pay practices. Compensation is determined using objective criteria, including skills, experience, and role responsibilities, and applied consistently throughout our recruitment processes. We do not request candidates' pay history and are committed to preventing unjustified pay disparities.