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What does a market risk specialist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
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Market risk specialist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real market risk specialist resumes:

  • Used VBA to automate manual procedures to eliminate inefficient processes and save several man-hours per week.
  • Communicate with third party administrators and insurance carriers to include claims investigation, litigation management and settlement negotiations reducing claim exposure.
  • Monitor and assess the level and direction of price risk from derivatives trading at large banks.
  • Monitor wire and ACH activity to ensure validity of customer request to prevent fraudulent activity

Market risk specialist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 49% of Market Risk Specialists are proficient in Risk Management, Derivative, and VAR. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Math skills, and Analytical skills.

We break down the percentage of Market Risk Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Risk Management, 49%

    Interest rate risk management in terms of stress tests, P&L effects and Euribor movements.

  • Derivative, 18%

    Streamlined and supported the planning and implementation of the Out-Source Initiative for the entire Derivatives Collateral Management Operation.

  • VAR, 16%

    Monitored VaR limits and provided explanation of significant VaR movement to front office and senior management.

  • Credit Risk, 7%

    Performed diagnostic analysis on credit risk deterioration and isolated key geographic areas and other factors as main sources for the deterioration.

  • Liability Management, 5%

    Generated and distributed the monthly reconciliation reports, which helped to explain asset liability management differences.

  • Foreign Exchange, 2%

    Assigned project manager on integrating energy and foreign exchange transaction into in house risk monitoring application.

Most market risk specialists use their skills in "risk management," "derivative," and "var" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential market risk specialist responsibilities here:

Analytical skills. market risk specialists are also known for analytical skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to market risk specialist responsibilities, because "market research analysts must evaluate large amounts of data and information related to market conditions." A market risk specialist resume example shows how analytical skills is used in the workplace: "performed data analysis and provided recommendations to achieve overall reduction in premiums and experience modifier. "

Communication skills. A big part of what market risk specialists do relies on "communication skills." You can see how essential it is to market risk specialist responsibilities because "market research analysts must be able to clearly convey information when gathering material, interpreting data, and presenting results to clients." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical market risk specialist tasks: "improved communication with stakeholders of the risk management process. "

Detail oriented. A commonly-found skill in market risk specialist job descriptions, "detail oriented" is essential to what market risk specialists do. Market risk specialist responsibilities rely on this skill because "market research analysts must pay attention to minutiae to evaluate data." You can also see how market risk specialist duties rely on detail oriented in this resume example: "recognized for quality and timely reports, attention to detail, exemplary customer service delivery and team-player attitude. "

All market risk specialist skills

Compare different market risk specialists

Market risk specialist vs. Risk management director

A risk management director is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of all the people, assets, and processes across the organization. Risk management directors facilitate risk management programs to mitigate company risks that may affect the organization's reputation and stability. They coordinate with upper management to identify a strategic approach and strengthen risk management policies. A risk management director must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing and investigating incident reports and resolving internal escalations immediately and efficiently.

If we compare the average market risk specialist annual salary with that of a risk management director, we find that risk management directors typically earn a $45,551 higher salary than market risk specialists make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between market risk specialists and risk management directors are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like risk management, derivative, and var.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between market risk specialists and risk management director. For instance, market risk specialist responsibilities require skills such as "counterparty," "cva," "ccr," and "asset liability." Whereas a risk management director is skilled in "oversight," "risk assessments," "governance," and "project management." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Risk management directors tend to reach lower levels of education than market risk specialists. In fact, risk management directors are 40.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 5.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Market risk specialist vs. Global risk management director

A global risk management director is responsible for the development and administration of risk management programs. They organize and develop programs that cut across their whole organization for risk-free services. Additionally, they promote a proper understanding of risks and risk management strategies in their organization. They are required to investigate any incident that may result in an asset loss. They report to top management.

Global risk management director positions earn higher pay than market risk specialist roles. They earn a $57,615 higher salary than market risk specialists per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Market risk specialists and global risk management directors both require similar skills like "risk management," "derivative," and "credit risk" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that market risk specialist responsibilities requires skills like "var," "counterparty," "liability management," and "cva." But a global risk management director might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "client facing," "litigation," "continuous improvement," and "global product."

Global risk management directors earn lower levels of education than market risk specialists in general. They're 35.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 5.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Market risk specialist vs. Risk management specialist

A risk management specialist is in charge of performing extensive research and analysis to determine the financial risks that a company may face. Through their expertise, a risk management analyst develops strategies to thwart these risks or lessen its impact and prevent significant financial losses. They may also devise programs and projects, providing support to employees as needed. Furthermore, they must recommend solutions in adherence to the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.

An average risk management specialist eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of market risk specialists. The difference in salaries amounts to risk management specialists earning a $17,916 lower average salary than market risk specialists.Using the responsibilities included on market risk specialists and risk management specialists resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "risk management," "derivative," and "credit risk.rdquo;

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a market risk specialist is likely to be skilled in "var," "counterparty," "liability management," and "cva," while a typical risk management specialist is skilled in "risk assessments," "powerpoint," "patient safety," and "strong problem-solving."

Risk management specialists typically earn lower educational levels compared to market risk specialists. Specifically, they're 47.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Market risk specialist vs. At-risk specialist

An at-risk specialist is responsible for identifying risk events that may pose harm to the business reputation and financial stability of an organization. At-risk specialists strategize on plans and techniques to minimize financial loss and excessive costings, developing methods and opportunities that would increase the company's revenues and profits. They resolve insurance discrepancies and manage financial disputes that may have litigation impact on the business. An at-risk specialist reviews financial documents and incident reports, file claims, and process requirements for any fraudulent activities.

At-risk specialists average a lower salary than the annual salary of market risk specialists. The difference is about $28,934 per year.While their salaries may vary, market risk specialists and at-risk specialists both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "risk management," "derivative," and "credit risk. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "var," "counterparty," "liability management," and "cva" are skills that commonly show up on market risk specialist resumes. On the other hand, at-risk specialists use skills like customer service, operational risk, risk assessments, and sql on their resumes.The average resume of at-risk specialists showed that they earn lower levels of education compared to market risk specialists. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 47.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 1.1%.

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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