Sr. Director, Risk Management at AutoNation

AutoNation is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offering innovative products, exceptional services, and comprehensive solutions, empowering our customers to make the best decisions for their needs. With a network of dealerships nationwide strengthened by a recognized brand, we offer a wide variety of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and provide expert maintenance and repair services. Through DRV PNK, we have raised over $40 million for cancer-related causes, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of our Associates, Customers, and the communities we serve.

So what do you say? Are you ready to be part of something big?

About AutoNation Finance

AutoNation Finance, acquired in October 2022 and formerly known as CIG Financial, is a captive lender supporting one of the largest automotive retailers in the nation. As a fast-growing platform, it exclusively supports the expansive retail operations of AutoNation, enhancing financing options for our customers across a full spectrum of credit needs (Prime, Near-prime and subprime). The company's transition has allowed it to streamline processes and offer more tailored financing solutions, reinforcing AutoNation's market presence. This dynamic environment presents a unique opportunity for professionals seeking to develop their careers in auto finance. Joining AutoNation Finance is an opportunity to become part of a team dedicated to innovation and excellence in the automotive finance and retail industry, supporting an exciting growth initiative of the organization. The Sr. Director, Risk & Business Analytics reports to the VP, Finance and is a member of AN Finance’s leadership team working closely with AN Finance’s CEO, COO and VP, Finance. The role supports the business to achieve its goals by partnering with business units across the organization to realize efficient risk-adjusted returns, while protecting the organization from exposure to losses resulting from credit, market liquidity, operational, modeling and other risks associated with an auto finance portfolio.

The leadership role encompasses many facets of Risk including auto loan portfolio analysis, loan originations, loan servicing, adherence to underwriting policy, business analytics, pricing strategy, financial reporting, and operational and financial modeling.

The Sr. Director, Risk and Business Analytics will manage a team responsible for Loan Origination System, Data Analytics, Quality Control, and related functions to broadly support the risk function.

You will have varied responsibilities to help support the growth of the organization and its need for Enterprise Risk Management. At the center of these responsibilities is the ability to analyze the business thus necessitating a strong understanding of the issues and competing priorities of the organization.

In this role you will often serve as a bridge between technology teams and the business with a focus on analyzing, documenting, and validating business needs in relation to system functionality or information output. As the bridge you will often be the orchestrator of what the product needs to be as a result of analytics and translate the business need into a technology plan for execution with the support of all stakeholders.

Core to this role will be capabilities for data mining, data manipulation and data understanding for the purpose of risk evaluation with regard to collection, loss, recoveries, delinquency, balance liquidation, new originations and other projections for the auto loan portfolios. Responsibilities extend to support development of sophisticated risk/forecasting models, updating existing models and analysis of performance data for the purpose of proposing risk assessment. The position is highly quantitative and requires a hands-on approach to data analysis. The position also requires continuous and effective communication with executive management, peers and staff. This team member is responsible for providing information used to create reports for a variety of internal and external clients. This position will interact with many other departments in the interest of achieving the overall company objectives

• Lead the AN Finance risk management function, overseeing the identification, assessment, and mitigation of various types of risks, including market, operational, and auto portfolio risk.
• Develop and maintain CECL Reserve loss provision model.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive credit risk management framework, including policies, procedures, and systems, to effectively identify, measure, monitor, and control credit risk exposure across the organization.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to the risk management team, fostering a culture of risk awareness, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor credit portfolio performance and trends, static pools, conduct regular reviews and stress testing to assess portfolio quality and identify emerging risks, etc.
• Work with VP Finance to develop models for RoA, forecasting, and other FP&A purposes.
• Collaborate with business units to develop and implement risk mitigation strategies and initiatives, including credit underwriting standards, portfolio diversification, and risk pricing models.
• Oversee the development and implementation of credit scoring models, risk rating systems, and other quantitative tools to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of credit decision-making processes.
• Provide guidance and expertise on complex credit transactions, structuring deals to optimize risk-return profiles while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Serve as a key liaison working closely with Compliance regarding regulatory agencies, auditors, and other external stakeholders on credit risk management matters, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Lead the enterprise risk management function, overseeing the identification, assessment, and mitigation of various types of risks, including market, operational, and auto portfolio risk
• Assist in the development, implementation and ongoing support of new and ongoing behavioral scoring tools for originations and servicing of consumer loans.
• Maintain existing and develop ad-hoc reporting for new financing facilities; warehouse, securitization and asset-backed lending
• Oversee loan origination system team.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Serve as key point of contact and proactive engagement with vendors to assess new tools and technology – credit bureaus, fraud tools, automation tools, AI opportunities, et al

Other Functions:

• Credit Committee Chair
• CECL Committee Chair

Qualifications:

Profile Specifics:

• Have the leadership and management ability to bring structure, discipline and process while retaining the ability to work in an ever changing environment.
• Must have proven organizational and multitasking skills, with the ability to effectively prioritize and balance workload.
• Excellent project management skills; capable of ensuring multiple projects stay on-track and are delivered under budget, including internal resource planning, scheduling, and real-time management of resources.
• Proven people management skills specific to delivering projects in short time-frames.
• Ability to engage and manage contractors and work with 3rd parties to respond to short term demands for product growth or design.
• Skills required include business and product strategic development, project management, product-development management and strong communication skills with all stakeholders.
• Capable of managing many small teams concurrently in a fast paced, highly iterative and entrepreneurially spirited environment.
• Versatile communicator with experience and skills necessary to interface successfully and often with all members of the team.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree required; preferred course of study in Business, Finance, Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, or the equivalent. ​
• Minimum of Five (5) years previous experience leading Risk team in automotive finance
• Ability to manage and develop team, recruit staff for growing platform, develop bench for key risk function
• Able to work well under pressure.
• Consumer loan portfolio risk management/analysis experience preferred. ​
• Understanding of modeling techniques. ​
• Knowledge of PC software applications such as SQL, SSIS, MySQL, SQLyog, R, Python, Crystal Reports, SAS, Word. 
• Advance skills in Excel and proficiency in PowerPoint ​
• Experience in financial analysis, data-mining and statistics. ​
• Knowledge of complex risk management methods and techniques preferred. ​
• Demonstrated ability to apply complex financial and statistical principles. ​
• Advanced knowledge of finance, statistics, accounting and/​or consumer credit preferred. ​
• Good analytical, quantitative and computer skills. ​
• Good written and verbal presentation skills and ability to communicate well with all levels of management. ​
• Conference attendance will be required as we grow the brand.
• Detail-oriented and able to manage multiple tasks/​deadlines. ​
• Able to work with minimal supervision. ​ 
• Self-starter, assesses situations and takes initiative.
• Flexible, proactive working style. ​
• Adaptive to a team environment and works well independently.

Exciting Benefits and Perks Await You:

• Competitive compensation and 401k matching

• Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with insurance plans (health, dental, vision) and maternity benefits

• Exclusive RX Pet program offering discounts on medications

• Associate purchase and discount programs for new and pre-owned vehicles, services, parts, collision, accessories, and AutoGear

• Access amazing deals and discounts through YouDecide, a website with offers from top providers and retailers

• Join our DRVPNK mission to raise and donate millions of dollars to cancer research and treatment, partnering with cancer charities nationwide

AutoNation is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment in our workplace and the services we provide. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds who are passionate about making a positive impact. Even if you do not meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. Join our team and help us foster a culture of belonging while contributing to our revolutionary work in the automotive industry. We value innovation, teamwork, and a commitment to making a positive impact in the world.