Data Scientist, Validation of Financial and AI Models

Desjardins; Montreal West; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

4 weeks vacation

Pension plan

Group insurance

Wellness reimbursement

Job summary

Desjardins is seeking a data scientist to drive analytics and AI initiatives. You will lead stakeholder-aligned model development, validate models, and implement data science pipelines across business lines.

You will leverage ML/NLP, ensure governance and responsible AI practices, and mentor teams while collaborating with multiple departments to deliver strategic insights in a value-driven manner.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 6+ years of relevant experience.
• Fluent in French is required.
• Knowledge of AI and ML models, including predictive models and NLP.
• Experience with governance concepts and model validation.

Responsibilities

• Lead model development projects aligned with business needs in analytics and AI.
• Validate models for robustness, performance, and bias risks.
• Prepare data and implement pipelines for model development and deployment.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across the organization to drive decisions.

Skills

Python

SQL

SAS

R

C++

MATLAB

Machine Learning

Deep Learning

Natural Language Processing

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

Git

CI/CD

Job description

Required

As a data scientist, you provide the data needed to make business decisions, develop solutions and services adapted to business issues and understand member and client behaviour. You lead internal and external stakeholders in model development projects adapted to business needs and in complex strategic interventions in advanced analytics and artificial intelligence. Your initiatives require extensive, in-depth knowledge of your field. You help solve highly operationally and conceptually complex business problems using your ability to mine multiple data sources, your analytical skills and your in-depth, comprehensive understanding of the business line and the organization. You rely on your solid understanding of the various methods to make recommendations. You serve as an expert advisor and subject matter expert on data use for stakeholders, and as a resource person and coach for decision-making bodies. You interact with many stakeholders working in a wide range of fields to understand and communicate issues and influence decision-making. More specifically, you will be required to:

• Ensure modelling processes make appropriate use of available data based on characterization, quality and processing as part of strategic initiatives
• Use the validation process to ensure predictive modelling is carried out according to the established standards and meets Desjardins Group’s quality criteria
• Analyze the business needs behind the model and confirm the model’s suitability through validation
• Ensure the programming required to prepare and mine data and to develop, evaluate, support, roll out and manage innovative and conceptually complex models meets the required standards
• Use advanced and innovative statistical, machine learning and AI methods to test the methodologies proposed by the first line of defence
• Validate various types of models, including risk and financial valuation models, predictive models, machine learning models, natural language processing models, speech recognition models and generative AI solutions
• Assess model robustness, performance, stability and explainability, as well as model-related risks, including algorithmic bias, model drift and issues related to responsible use of AI
• Help draft governance documents, methods and methodological and technological approaches. Advise and train teams on quantitative model validation methods and help advance these methods to accelerate delivery
• Represent the teams in dealings with various internal stakeholders
• Monitor the industry to understand and anticipate emerging trends in your area of expertise.

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 and telework equipment
• Benefits apply based on eligibility criteria.

What You Bring To The Table

• Bachelor's degree in a related field
• A minimum of sixyears of relevant experience
• Please note that other combinations of qualifications and relevant experience may be considered
• Knowledge of French is required
• Advanced knowledge of models and modelling methodologies in at least one of the following areas:
• Credit: Scoring models, shadow ratings, regulatory and IFRS 9 parameters, including ECL and term structures for PD, LGD, EAD and SICR, as well as economic capital calculations and stress testing
• Liquidity: Prepayment, LCR and NCCF models, including economic capital calculations and stress testing
• Knowledge of AI and machine learning models, including predictive models, supervised and unsupervised models, recommendation systems, anomaly detection and decision optimization
• Knowledge of generative AI, natural language processing and speech recognition models, including large language models, conversational agents, content generation and decision-support systems, classification, information extraction, language comprehension, transcription and content analysis
• Knowledge of mathematical modelling, statistics and quantitative model validation
• Knowledge of model explainability, robustness, monitoring and governance concepts
• Programming knowledge using Python, SQL, SAS, R, C++, MATLAB or equivalent technologies
• Knowledge of Basel regulations and interest in emerging AI governance frameworks

Communicates effectively, Complexity, Innovation, Interpersonal Savvy, Strategic mindset

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!

Job Family

Data (FG)