Senior data scientist

National Bank; Montreal; Hybrid; CAD 115,000 - 155,000; 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

Involvement in community initiatives

Telemedicine service

Virtual sleep clinic

Job summary

National Bank is seeking a Senior Data Scientist, Team Lead, in the Governance and Credit quality team in Montreal. You will lead independent model risk assessments for credit decision models for individuals and SMEs, and drive model lifecycle governance within a risk-aware framework.

You will monitor production models, identify gaps and proposed mitigations, and coordinate tech leadership across analytics colleagues while supporting audits and regulatory reviews.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a related field and 7–10 years of relevant experience.
• Excellent knowledge of quantitative methods, particularly modelling and artificial intelligence techniques.
• Proficiency in SAS, R or Python.
• Extensive experience in credit risk and model validation.
• Analytical functions experience with risk management or audits in regulated environments.
• Knowledge of Personal Banking and SME products.
• Experience coordinating, coaching or developing colleagues in analytics.

Responsibilities

• Carry out and oversee independent model risk assessments for credit decision models for individuals and SMEs, analysing methodological robustness, assumptions and risks.
• Monitor production model performance, analyse results, identify gaps and drifts, and recommend actions to maintain risk levels.
• Manage the model lifecycle, ensuring regulatory requirements and internal policies are followed.
• Draft and review validation reports, communicating findings, issues, risks and impacts clearly.
• Participate in strategic projects affecting retail and SME credit models and decision processes.
• Serve as a technical reference, support audits/regulatory reviews and promote continuous improvement.

Skills

Quantitative methods

AI techniques

SAS/R/Python

Credit risk

Model validation

Analytics coordination

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a related field

Tools

None

Job description

A career as a Senior Data scientist, Team Lead, in the Governance and Credit quality team at National Bank means serving as a specialist in credit decision model validation. This position allows you to have a positive impact on the Bank's risk management thanks to your expertise in modelling, credit risk and quantitative methods. You contribute to the independent assessment of the models used for credit activities for Personal Banking and small and Medium-sized businesses. You also provide technical leadership to your colleagues and participate in strategic projects that influence the Bank's models, decision-making strategies and risk profile.

Your job

• Carry out and oversee independent model risk assessments for credit decision models intended for individuals and SMEs, by analysing their methodological robustness, assumptions, limitations, and risks related to their approval, implementation and use.
• Monitor the performance of models in production by analysing results, identifying gaps, drifts and emerging risks, and recommending the actions required to maintain an acceptable level of risk.
• Act as a reference in managing the model lifecycle, ensuring the consistent application of regulatory requirements, internal policies and model risk management standards.
• Draft and review validation reports, conclusions and recommendations, clearly communicating findings, issues, risks and impacts on credit decisions and risk management.
• Participate in strategic projects related to retail and SME credit activities by assessing the impact of the proposed changes on the Bank's models, decision-making strategies, credit processes and risk profile.
• Act as a technical reference for the team and business partners, contributing to the resolution of complex issues, supporting audits and regulatory reviews, and promoting the continuous improvement of model risk validation and management practises.

Your team

Governance and Credit quality, under Senior Vice-President - Credit Analytics and Integrated risk Management, brings together more than 35 specialists who collaborate to develop innovative solutions adapted to industry challenges. You are part of a team recognised for its diversity of expertise, rigour and ability to deliver quality results. Our goal is to offer you maximum flexibility to promote your quality of life, particularly through a flexible, hybrid work environment.

The Bank values continuous development and internal mobility. Our personalised training programs, based on on on-the-job learning, help you master your profession and develop new fields of expertise. Tools such as the Data Academy, language training, the Harvard Learning Centre and coaching and mentoring support are available to you at any time.

Prerequisites

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field and 7 to 10 years of relevant experience.
• Excellent knowledge of quantitative methods, particularly modelling and artificial intelligence techniques.
• Proficiency in at least one of the following languages or software: SAS, R or Python.
• Extensive experience in credit risk and model validation
• Proven experience in analytical functions, supplemented by exposure to risk management or audit or oversight activities in regulated environments.
• Solid knowledge of activities and products related to Personal Banking and small and medium-sized businesses.
• Experience in technical coordination, coaching or developing colleagues in an analytical or validation environment.

Your benefits

• 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!