Senior Data Scientist - Model validation

Banque Nationale du Canada; Montreal (administrative region); Hybrid; CAD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellness program

Employee Share Ownership Plan

Employee and family assistance program

Preferential banking services

Involvement in community initiatives

Virtual sleep clinic

Job summary

National Bank of Canada is seeking a Senior Data Scientist within the Credit Governance and Quality team to validate credit decision models across Retail Banking and SME segments. You will apply advanced quantitative methods and risk modeling expertise to support governance, regulatory compliance, and sound decision making.

In this hybrid role, you will collaborate with modeling, governance, technology and operations partners to challenge methodologies, document findings, monitor model

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Quantitative methods

Statistical modeling

Artificial intelligence

SAS/R/Python

Credit risk management

Retail & SME banking

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree in related field

Tools

SAS

R

Python

Job description

Hybrid

Job number

34532

Category

Senior Professional

Status: Permanent

Schedule: Full-Time

31-Jul-2026

Area(s) of interest: Business intelligence and data

Location(s): Montreal

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

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

Skills

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

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
• Employee Share Ownership Plan
• Employee and family assistance program
• Preferential banking services
• Involvement in community initiatives
• 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?

Why work at National Bank?

For an environment that supports your career path

There are many varied opportunities for you to progress and develop, and move ahead in your career. This includes on-the-job learning and training, co-development and pairing with other employees, professional support and mentoring, internal career days or discussion forums with our leaders.

For an inclusive and diverse environment

We foster inclusion in an environment where each person’s unique qualities, whether visible or invisible, are celebrated and valued. We welcome all candidates! What can you bring to our team?