Data scientist

Federation Caisses Desjardins; Montreal; Hybrid; CAD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

4 weeks vacation

Pension plan

Group insurance

Job summary

Desjardins is hiring a Data Scientist within the Finance function. You will translate business needs into AI/analytic solutions, create prototypes and MVPs in short cycles, and collaborate with business teams to prove value.

You will explore generative AI, AI agents and new technologies while ensuring responsible data use and compliance. Leverage Python, SQL and APIs to integrate data sources, build models and demonstrate potential impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in statistics, mathematics, computer science, artificial intelligence, machine learning or a related field.
• 6+ years of relevant experience in data science, AI, ML or related fields.
• Hands-on experience designing prototypes, proofs of concept, pilots or MVPs in short cycles.

Responsibilities

• Understand ambiguous business problems and identify high-potential AI use cases.
• Design and develop prototypes, proofs of concept, pilots or MVPs in short cycles.
• Develop AI/data science solutions using generative AI, LLMs, AI agents, or related approaches.
• Work with APIs and data sources to rapidly build functional prototypes.
• Ensure responsible, secure, and compliant use of data and AI solutions.

Skills

Python

SQL

AI/ML

Prototyping

Education

Bachelors in a relevant field

Tools

APIs

ML libraries

Job description

Role Overview

As a Data scientist assigned to the Finance function, you play a key role in the technological aspect of Finance’s approach to innovation. You work directly with business teams to transform pain points, needs and opportunities, which are sometimes poorly defined, into concrete solutions by leveraging artificial intelligence, advanced analytics and automation. Your strength lies in building quickly and proving value. You’re comfortable in situations where the solution isn’t predefined and can quickly move from understanding a problem to creating a functional prototype. You design proofs of concept, pilots and minimum viable products (MVPs) in short cycles to test hypotheses and quickly inform the decision to continue, adjust, pivot or stop. You contribute, in particular, to developing and experimenting with new solutions using generative AI and AI agents. You also act as an artificial intelligence expert advisor for the Finance community, working closely with the Innovation team. Solutions that have demonstrated their value are then prepared for production with the relevant teams. More specifically, you will be required to: Understand and structure sometimes ambiguous business problems, then identify and qualify, with the relevant teams, use cases with high potential for the application of AI, advanced analytics, and automation. Assess the technical feasibility, business value and adoption potential of the proposed solutions to focus efforts on the most promising initiatives. Quickly design and develop prototypes, proofs of concept, pilots, and MVPs in short cycles of a few weeks to test hypotheses, measure their value, and determine whether to continue, adjust, pivot or stop. Develop artificial intelligence and data science solutions, including models, algorithms and solutions using generative AI, large language models (LLMs), AI agents or other relevant approaches depending on the problem to be solved. Integrate various technologies, models, APIs and data sources to quickly build functional prototypes and concretely demonstrate their potential to users. Explore, experiment with and compare new AI technologies and approaches in a rapidly evolving technological environment to inform choices and application possibilities within the Finance function. Analyze and leverage financial and operational data to support experimentation, identify trends, risks and optimization opportunities, and inform the development of solutions. Work directly with business teams, explain the possibilities and limitations of technologies plainly, support experimentation with users, and serve as an AI resource person for the Finance community. Ensure the responsible, secure and compliant use of data and AI solutions, in alignment with the organization’s guidelines. Prepare solutions that have demonstrated their value for production and scaling by documenting lessons learned, success factors and technical requirements, in collaboration with the relevant teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Understand and structure sometimes ambiguous business problems, then identify and qualify, with the relevant teams, use cases with high potential for the application of AI, advanced analytics, and automation.
• Assess the technical feasibility, business value and adoption potential of the proposed solutions to focus efforts on the most promising initiatives.
• Quickly design and develop prototypes, proofs of concept, pilots, and MVPs in short cycles of a few weeks to test hypotheses, measure their value, and determine whether to continue, adjust, pivot or stop.
• Develop artificial intelligence and data science solutions, including models, algorithms and solutions using generative AI, large language models (LLMs), AI agents or other relevant approaches depending on the problem to be solved.
• Integrate various technologies, models, APIs and data sources to quickly build functional prototypes and concretely demonstrate their potential to users.
• Explore, experiment with and compare new AI technologies and approaches in a rapidly evolving technological environment to inform choices and application possibilities within the Finance function.
• Analyze and leverage financial and operational data to support experimentation, identify trends, risks and optimization opportunities, and inform the development of solutions.
• Work directly with business teams, explain the possibilities and limitations of technologies plainly, support experimentation with users, and serve as an AI resource person for the Finance community.
• Ensure the responsible, secure and compliant use of data and AI solutions, in alignment with the organization’s guidelines.
• Prepare solutions that have demonstrated their value for production and scaling by documenting lessons learned, success factors and technical requirements, in collaboration with the relevant teams.

What we offer

• Competitive salary and annual bonus
• 4 weeks of flexible vacation starting in the first year
• Defined benefit pension plan that provides predictable, stable income throughout retirement
• Group insurance including telemedicine
• Reimbursement of health and wellness expenses
• Benefits apply based on eligibility criteria.
• #LI-Hybrid

What we bring to the table

• Bachelor’s degree in statistics, mathematics, computer science, artificial intelligence, machine learning or a related field
• A minimum of six years of relevant experience in data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, development of analytical solutions or related fields
• Please note that other combinations of qualifications and relevant experience may be considered
• Hands-on experience in the design and implementation of prototypes, proofs of concept, pilots or MVPs in short cycles, from understanding the business need to demonstrating value to users
• Hands-on experience in generative artificial intelligence, particularly in the design or prototyping of solutions using large language models (LLMs), AI agents, RAG approaches or other comparable technologies
• Experience with APIs and modern AI solution development environments, and the ability to integrate various services, models and data sources to quickly build functional solutions
• Demonstrated experience explaining complex technical concepts and influencing decision-making among non-technical audiences
• Experience analyzing and structuring complex or poorly defined business issues, developing relevant hypotheses and quickly transforming them into concrete and measurable experiments
• Knowledge of French is required
• Proficiency in Python and SQL, combined with a strong knowledge of the main data processing, analysis, and modelling libraries
• Knowledge of the corporate Finance/Accounting function or the ability to quickly understand a new business area
• Action oriented, Complexity, Customer Focus, Differences, Innovation, Interpersonal Savvy, Nimble learning Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility

At Desjardins, we believe in equity, diversity and inclusion. We're committed to welcoming, respecting and valuing people for who they are as individuals, learning from their differences, embracing their uniqueness, and providing a positive workplace for all. At Desjardins, we have zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind. We believe our teams should reflect the diversity of the members, clients and communities we serve. If there's something we can do to help make the recruitment process or the job you're applying for more accessible, let us know. We can provide accommodations at any stage in the recruitment process. Just ask!

About Desjardins

Desjardins Group is the largest cooperative financial group in North America. We're the choice for over 52,000 employees and we're named one of Canada's top employers by Mediacorp and Forbes. We offer a full range of financial products and services and share our expertise in personal services, business services, wealth management, life and health insurance, and property and casualty insurance. Pursuing a career at Desjardins means being part of an organization that puts people first.