Risk Management - Strategic Analytics Associate - Merchant Services

Location: Plano, TX, United States

Job Family: Predictive Science

About the Role

At JP Morgan Chase, we are at the forefront of redefining the future of financial services, and our Merchant Services division plays a pivotal role in enabling secure, innovative payment solutions for businesses worldwide. As a Risk Management - Strategic Analytics Associate in the Risk Strategic Analytics team, you will join a dynamic group focused on generating cutting-edge analytics and strategic recommendations to drive business growth while mitigating risks. Based in our state-of-the-art Plano, TX office, this role within the Predictive Science category offers the opportunity to apply advanced quantitative techniques to real-world challenges in the merchant acquiring space, contributing to JP Morgan's leadership in global payments. In this position, you will develop sophisticated predictive models to evaluate risk exposures in merchant portfolios, analyzing vast datasets from transaction volumes, fraud patterns, and market trends. You will collaborate closely with teams across Risk, Product, and Sales to translate complex data insights into actionable strategies that enhance merchant onboarding, optimize pricing models, and ensure compliance with stringent financial regulations. Your work will directly influence strategic decisions, such as expanding into new merchant segments or refining risk appetites, all while leveraging JP Morgan's unparalleled resources in data infrastructure and industry expertise. We seek a proactive analyst passionate about the intersection of data science and finance, with a keen eye for detail and the ability to thrive in a collaborative, high-stakes environment. This role not only provides exposure to cutting-edge tools in predictive analytics but also offers robust career growth within JP Morgan Chase's renowned Risk Management organization. Join us to make a tangible impact on the financial ecosystem, supporting merchants and clients in navigating an evolving payments landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain predictive models to assess risk in merchant services portfolios, focusing on strategic decision-making
• Analyze transaction data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for optimizing merchant acquiring strategies
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including product, sales, and compliance to generate analytics-driven recommendations
• Conduct scenario analysis and stress testing to evaluate potential impacts on business strategies
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to risk exposure in payment processing and report findings to senior leadership
• Support the development of risk mitigation strategies for new merchant onboarding and portfolio management
• Leverage advanced analytics tools to forecast risk trends and inform long-term strategic planning
• Prepare detailed reports and visualizations to communicate insights on risk analytics to stakeholders
• Stay abreast of industry developments in fintech and payments to enhance analytical frameworks

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field
• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in risk management, analytics, or strategic planning within the financial services industry
• Strong proficiency in data analysis and statistical modeling, with experience in predictive analytics
• Knowledge of payment processing, merchant acquiring, and risk factors in merchant services
• Ability to work with large datasets and derive actionable insights for business strategy
• Excellent communication skills to present complex data to non-technical stakeholders
• U.S. work authorization without sponsorship required

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in a quantitative discipline such as Statistics or Data Science
• Experience in the payments or merchant services sector, particularly with fraud detection or credit risk
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements in financial services, such as PCI DSS or AML compliance
• Prior internship or role at a major financial institution like JP Morgan Chase

Required Skills

• Proficiency in Python or R for data analysis and modeling
• Experience with SQL for querying large financial datasets
• Knowledge of machine learning algorithms for predictive risk modeling
• Strong statistical skills including regression analysis and hypothesis testing
• Familiarity with data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI
• Understanding of financial risk metrics such as VaR, expected loss, and credit scoring
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving in complex financial environments
• Excellent written and verbal communication for stakeholder presentations
• Attention to detail in handling sensitive payment and risk data
• Project management skills for collaborative analytics projects
• Adaptability to fast-paced fintech and regulatory changes
• Team collaboration in a matrixed organization like JP Morgan Chase
• Ethical judgment in risk assessment and compliance matters

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and performance-based annual bonuses
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with generous company matching
• Paid time off including vacation, sick days, and parental leave
• Professional development opportunities through JP Morgan's internal training programs
• Employee stock purchase plan and financial wellness resources
• On-site fitness centers and wellness programs at Plano campus
• Flexible work arrangements and hybrid work options

JP Morgan Chase is an equal opportunity employer.