Model Risk Governance Specialist Quantification

National Bank of Canada; Montreal (administrative region); Hybrid; CAD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellness program

Flexible group insurance

Generous pension plan

Employee Share Ownership Plan

Employee and family assistance program

Preferential banking services

Telemedicine service

Virtual sleep clinic

Job summary

National Bank of Canada is seeking a Model Risk Governance Specialist - Risk Assessment to evolve and calibrate the bank’s model risk rating methodologies. You will drive consistency across model types and business lines, applying quantitative and qualitative criteria to assess inherent model risk, data quality and monitoring outcomes.

The role emphasizes collaboration with model owners, validators and risk partners, with a focus on governance, lifecycle management and decision-ready reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, economics, finance, engineering, computer science, data science, actuarial science, risk management or related quantitative field with 7 years of relevant experience; OR Master’s degree in quantitative/finance/tech/risk field with 5 years of relevant experience.
• Experience in model risk management, model validation, quantitative risk assessment, risk methodology, risk analytics, statistical modelling, financial modelling or data science in financial services.
• Strong understanding of model risk concepts including inherent model risk, model vulnerabilities, materiality, uncertainty, model limitations, lifecycle governance and ongoing monitoring.
• Experience developing, maintaining or enhancing risk rating methodologies, assessment frameworks, quantitative criteria, qualitative criteria, governance tools, analytical frameworks or management reporting.
• Strong quantitative skills to assess model methodologies, assumptions, data inputs, outputs, limitations, performance indicators, monitoring results and potential impacts.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment when assessing model risk, challenging assumptions and determining whether risk conclusions are well-supported.
• Good understanding of governance frameworks, control environments, model documentation, validation practices, monitoring expectations, issue management and committee reporting.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex quantitative and governance topics clearly to senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Drive evolution, calibration and expansion of model risk rating and assessment methodology (inherent risk, vulnerabilities, materiality, uncertainty, limitations and usage).
• Define and calibrate clear, measurable criteria for consistent model risk ratings across types, lines and risk categories.
• Establish assessment dimensions considering complexity, methodology, data reliability, autonomy, intended use, business purpose, customer impact and potential effects.
• Apply quantitative judgment to key risk drivers: uncertainty, data quality, performance stability, limitations and changes in use or environment.
• Review and challenge application of rating approach to ensure complete, well‑supported and consistently applied assessments.
• Define expectations for assigning, reviewing and updating ratings throughout the lifecycle; consider trigger events.
• Analyze monitoring results, limitations, validation outcomes, usage patterns and control information for continued relevance.
• Support visibility of inherent and residual risk for governance reporting and oversight alignment.
• Identify trends, inconsistencies and areas needing methodology refinement or governance attention.
• Recommend enhancements to assessment methodology, documentation standards, governance tools and reporting practices.
• Prepare decision-ready materials for senior management and governance committees highlighting outcomes and implications.
• Collaborate with model owners, developers, validators, business lines, tech teams and risk partners to ensure understanding and integration into governance processes.
• Provide advisory support and training on model risk rating expectations (inherent risk, materiality, uncertainty, monitoring results and governance implications).

Skills

Analytical Skills

Collaboration

Influencing

Stakeholder Engagement

Synthesis Management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, economics, finance, engineering, computer science, data science, actuarial science, risk management or a related quantitative field

Master’s degree in a quantitative, finance, technology or risk‑related field

Job description

A career as a Model Risk Governance Specialist - Risk Assessment in the Model Risk Management team at National Bank means acting as a quantitative governance specialist responsible for evolving, calibrating and maintaining the Bank’s established model risk assessment methodologies.

In this role, you help strengthen model risk governance by ensuring that model risk is assessed consistently across the organization, based on the inherent risk of using a model, including model vulnerabilities, materiality of impacts, model uncertainty, limitations, usage and ongoing monitoring results.

Your job

As a Model Risk Governance Specialist - Risk Assessment, you will:

• Drive the ongoing evolution, calibration and expansion of the Bank’s established model risk rating and assessment methodology, including practices related to inherent model risk, model vulnerabilities, materiality of impacts, uncertainty, limitations and usage.
• Define and calibrate clear, measurable criteria to support consistent model risk ratings across model types, business lines and risk categories, using both quantitative and qualitative factors.
• Establish assessment dimensions that consider model complexity, methodology, assumptions, data reliability, model autonomy, intended use, business purpose, customer impact, regulatory exposure and potential financial, operational or reputational impacts.
• Apply quantitative judgment to evaluate key drivers of model risk, including model uncertainty, sensitivity to assumptions, data quality, performance stability, model limitations and changes in model use or environment.
• Review and challenge the application of the model risk rating approach by model stakeholders to ensure assessments are complete, well-supported, consistently applied and aligned with governance expectations.
• Define expectations for assigning, reviewing and updating model risk ratings throughout the model lifecycle, including when trigger events occur such as material model changes, changes in use, performance deterioration, data changes or infrastructure changes.
• Analyze ongoing monitoring results, model limitations, validation outcomes, usage patterns and control information to determine whether the model risk rating approach remains appropriate and effective.
• Support visibility of both inherent and residual model risk for governance reporting, while ensuring that oversight expectations remain aligned with the level and nature of inherent model risk.
• Identify trends, inconsistencies, emerging themes and areas requiring methodology refinement, additional guidance or governance attention.
• Recommend enhancements to the assessment methodology, rating criteria, documentation standards, governance tools and reporting practices.
• Prepare decision-ready materials for senior management and governance committees, highlighting model risk rating outcomes, methodology considerations, material limitations, impact analysis, emerging themes and items requiring attention or decision.
• Collaborate with model owners, model developers, validators, business lines, technology teams and risk partners to ensure the model risk rating methodology is understood, applied consistently and integrated into governance processes.
• Provide advisory support and training to stakeholders on model risk rating expectations, including inherent risk, materiality, uncertainty, limitations, monitoring results, trigger events and governance implications.

Your team

Within the Model Risk Management group, you are part of a team of professionals who provide second line of defence oversight for model risk across the Bank. You report to the Senior Director, Model Risk Governance.

Our team stands out for its analytical rigour, proactive governance mindset, collaborative approach and ability to influence model stakeholders across the Bank.

We ultimately aim to offer you maximum flexibility and quality of life. This notably means a hybrid work environment, as well as adaptable working hours.

The Bank values continuous development and internal mobility. Our personalized training programs enable you to master your job and develop new areas of expertise. Tools such as the Data Academy, language training, the Harvard Learning Center as well as coaching and mentoring support are available to you at all times.

Prerequisites

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, economics, finance, engineering, computer science, data science, actuarial science, risk management or a related quantitative field and 7 years of relevant experience; OR a Master’s degree in a quantitative, finance, technology or risk‑related field and 5 years of relevant experience.
• Experience in model risk management, model validation, quantitative risk assessment, risk methodology, risk analytics, statistical modelling, financial modelling or data science in financial services.
• Strong understanding of model risk concepts, including inherent model risk, model vulnerabilities, materiality, uncertainty, model limitations, lifecycle governance and ongoing monitoring.
• Experience developing, maintaining or enhancing risk rating methodologies, assessment frameworks, quantitative criteria, qualitative criteria, governance tools, analytical frameworks or management reporting.
• Strong quantitative skills, with the ability to assess model methodologies, assumptions, data inputs, outputs, limitations, performance indicators, monitoring results and potential impacts.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment when assessing model risk, challenging assumptions and determining whether risk conclusions are well‑supported and consistently applied.
• Good understanding of governance frameworks, control environments, model documentation, validation practices, monitoring expectations, issue management and committee reporting.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex quantitative and governance topics clearly to senior stakeholders.

Languages: French, English
Reason to require this language: you will need to collaborate with a regulator/authority/government body outside Quebec.
Required skills: Analytical Skills, Collaboration, Influencing, Stakeholder Engagement, Synthesis Management

Your benefits

In addition to competitive compensation, upon hiring you’ll be eligible for a wide range of flexible benefits to help promote your wellbeing and that of your family such as:

• Health and wellness program, including many options
• Flexible group insurance
• Generous pension plan
• Employee Share Ownership Plan
• Employee and family assistance program
• Preferential banking services
• Involvement in community initiatives
• Telemedicine service
• Virtual sleep clinic

We have an offer that keeps up with trends as well as your needs and those of your family.

Our dynamic work environments and cutting‑edge collaboration tools foster a positive employee experience. We value employees’ ideas. Whether through our surveys or programs, regular feedback and ongoing communication are encouraged.

Making a bold move in a people‑first environment

We’re a bank on a human scale that stands out for its courage, entrepreneurial culture, and passion for people. Our mission is to have a positive impact on people’s lives. Our core values of partnership, agility, and empowerment inspire us, and inclusion is central to our commitments. We aim, wherever possible, to provide a barrier‑free and accessible environment to all employees.

We strive to provide accessibility measures throughout the recruitment process within the limits of our available resources. If you require accommodations, feel free to let us know during our initial conversations. We welcome all candidates! What can you bring to our team?

Join us!