Lead AI Scientist: Banking & Consumer Finance

Westpac Bank; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Westpac Bank is seeking an AI Science Lead to shape and deliver the AI portfolio for Everyday Banking and Consumer Finance. You will translate business priorities into strategy, roadmap and measurable outcomes, while staying hands-on with modelling, experimentation and production delivery.

You will lead a team of AI scientists and collaborate with product owners, risk and technology to create trusted, compliant AI solutions across pricing, credit decisioning, acquisition and engagement.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in data science and applied AI with senior leadership.
• Track record moving AI from concept to production in regulated environments.
• Deep expertise in predictive modelling, optimisation and experimentation.
• Knowledge of model validation, fairness, explainability, governance and resilience.
• Proven people leadership and talent development.
• Ability to connect AI delivery with customer outcomes and business value.
• Credibility with senior stakeholders and ability to review trade-offs clearly.
• Experience in everyday banking or consumer finance decision science.

Responsibilities

• Own the EDB and CF AI strategy and roadmap with business leaders and Product Owners.
• Frame and prioritise use cases with benefits, data needs and risk classification.
• Lead technical direction across predictive modelling, optimisation, generative AI and agentic workflows.
• Ensure end-to-end solution quality from design to deployment and monitoring.
• Ensure solutions comply with AI risk policies including privacy, fairness and explainability.
• Coordinate AI Science, data engineering, Technology, Product and Risk teams.
• Monitor delivery, model performance and realised value, escalating where needed.
• Build a high-performing AI Science team with coaching and succession planning.
• Create reusable models and agent patterns across product lines to speed delivery.

Skills

Data science leadership

Predictive modelling

Optimization

Generative AI

LLMOps

Model risk governance

Job description

Westpac Bank is seeking an AI Science Lead to shape and deliver the AI portfolio for Everyday Banking and Consumer Finance. You will translate business priorities into strategy, roadmap and measurable outcomes, while staying hands-on with modelling, experimentation and production delivery.

You will lead a team of AI scientists and collaborate with product owners, risk and technology to create trusted, compliant AI solutions across pricing, credit decisioning, acquisition and engagement.