Senior Data Scientist - Model validation

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

Job summary

National Bank of Canada is seeking a Senior Data Scientist in the Credit Governance and Quality team to validate credit decision models for retail and SME portfolios, with an emphasis on governance and regulatory compliance. The role offers collaboration across analytics, risk, and technology to strengthen model soundness and risk controls.

You will work with business units, modeling teams, governance professionals and IT partners to influence strategic decisions and ensure robust validation

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or Master's with relevant experience.
• Strong expertise in quantitative methods, including statistical modeling and AI.
• Proficiency with SAS, R or Python.
• Experience in credit risk management.
• Good knowledge of Retail Banking and SME sectors.

Responsibilities

• Assess robustness of credit decision models for Retail Banking and SME by challenging methodologies, assumptions, limitations and regulatory compliance.
• Recommend approval of credit decision models with complete, accurate documentation aligned with standards.
• Identify risks related to approval, implementation and use of models and communicate issues to management.
• Monitor model performance in production to ensure alignment with risk appetite and governance.
• Prepare clear validation reports highlighting findings, conclusions, and impacts on risk management practices.
• Collaborate with business units, modeling teams, governance professionals, technology teams and operations partners to support strategic initiatives.

Skills

Quantitative methods

Statistical modeling

Artificial intelligence

Python

R

SAS

Credit risk management

Retail Banking knowledge

SME knowledge

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Master's degree in a related field

Job description

A career as a Senior Data Scientist within the Credit Governance and Quality team at National Bank means acting as a recognized expert in credit decision model validation. In this role, you will have a direct impact on the organization through your expertise in retail credit, credit risk modeling, and decision model governance. You will contribute to ensuring the soundness, effectiveness, and regulatory compliance of credit decision models while supporting strategic initiatives across the organization.

Your role

• Assess the robustness of credit decision models for Retail Banking and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises by challenging statistical methodologies, assumptions, limitations, and regulatory compliance.
• Recommend the approval of credit decision models by ensuring that documentation is complete, accurate, and aligned with internal standards and guidelines.
• Identify risks related to the approval, implementation, and use of models, and communicate significant issues and performance concerns to management.
• Monitor model performance in production to ensure alignment with risk appetite, governance frameworks, and regulatory requirements throughout the model lifecycle.
• Prepare clear and structured validation reports highlighting findings, conclusions, recommendations, and impacts on risk management practices.
• Collaborate with business units, modeling teams, governance professionals, technology teams, and operations partners to influence strategic decisions and support the successful implementation of initiatives.

Your team

The Credit Governance and Quality sector within the Credit Analytics and Integrated Risk Management Executive Vice-Presidency brings together more than 35 specialists who collaborate to develop innovative solutions tailored to evolving industry challenges. You will join a team recognized for its diverse expertise, rigor, and commitment to delivering high-quality results. We strive to offer flexibility that supports work-life balance through a hybrid work environment and adaptable scheduling options.

National Bank values continuous development and internal mobility. Our personalized training programs, based on learning by doing, help you master your role and develop new areas of expertise. Resources such as the Data Academy, language training, Harvard Learning Center, coaching, and mentoring are available to you at all times.

Prerequisites

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and five years of relevant experience, or Master's degree in a related field and three years of relevant experience.
• Strong expertise in quantitative methods, including statistical modeling and artificial intelligence techniques.
• Proficiency with SAS, R, or Python.
• Experience in credit risk management.
• Good knowledge of Retail Banking and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise business sectors and products.

Languages: French, English
Reason to require this language: you will need to collaborate with a regulator/authority/government body outside Quebec.

Required skills: Banking, Business Acumen, Data Structures, Data Visualization, Detail-oriented, Influencing, Initiative, Innovation, Interpersonal Skills, Leadership, Learning Agility, Problem Solving, Resiliency, Self-Sufficiency

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!