Senior Manager, Model Validation

EQ Bank | Canada's Challenger Bank; Toronto; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive discretionary bonus

RRSP match program

Medical, dental, vision, life" and "d"

Employee Share Purchase Plan

Maternity/Parental top-up

Generous vacation policy

Job summary

EQ Bank, Canada's Challenger Bank, seeks a Senior Manager, Model Validation in Toronto to lead validation programs for credit, treasury, IFRS 9 ECL, and related risk models. You will develop strategies, assess model inputs, and produce reports within the Bank's MRMG framework.

This hybrid role involves coordinating with risk stakeholders, guiding governance, and communicating model risk. In-office time is spent at 2200-25 Ontario Street, Toronto, integrating with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in Mathematics, Mathematical Finance, Statistics, Physics, Engineering, Economics, or equivalent.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in quantitative modeling and/or model validation.
• Strong programming experience in Python, R, SAS, C++, C#, Java, or MATLAB.

Responsibilities

• Develop model validation strategies and maintain validation plans.
• Assess appropriateness of model framework, data, and implementation.
• Produce validation reports per MRMF with identified limitations and risks.
• Communicate model risk issues and recommendations to stakeholders during validation.
• Support model governance activities and annual model attestations.

Skills

Python

R

SAS

C++

C#

Java

MATLAB

Education

Master's degree in quantitative field

Job description

Join a Challenger

At EQ, we're remaking banking so every Canadian gets ahead, every day. Serving nearly 4 million Canadians from coast to coast, we offer a wide variety of financial services from banking and lending, to trust and credit union solutions.

We've been at this since 1970, challenging the conventions of traditional banking with smarter, faster, and more connected financial experiences.

What's kept us moving? The people behind it all: challengers who ask better questions, push back on old assumptions, and look for a better way forward.

If you're driven to help reshape how banking works for Canadians and the businesses that power our economy, this could be your next big opportunity.

We can’t wait to get to know you!

The Work

The Senior Manager, Model Validation reports to the Director, Model Risk Management, and supports the Director and the VP, Model Risk Management, with respect to all aspects of model validation activities within the Bank. The incumbent is responsible for assisting in the development of strategies to validate models through effective challenge and for executing the related validation procedures. The incumbent will also be responsible for ensuring model risk is appropriately managed in accordance with the Bank’s Model Risk Management Framework and applicable regulatory requirements. This includes models for credit and treasury risk management (such as AIRB and IFRS 9 ECL models, interest), interest rate risk, liquidity, and stress testing approaches used to support ICAAP.

The incumbent will be instrumental in fostering relationships with model risk stakeholders. The scope of work includes validating model methodology, evaluating the reasonableness of assumptions, identifying the model effective range of use, limitations, assessing the quality of model inputs, developing benchmark analysis, articulating and communicating identified issues and recommendations, drawing conclusions, and creating model validation reports in accordance to the Bank’s Model Risk Management Framework (MRMF). The incumbent’s primary focus will be on conducting model validation activities. The incumbent may also support model governance activities, such as self-assessments against regulatory guidance and requirements, as well as risk reporting.

Model Validation Projects (85%)

• Develop model Elaborate model validation strategies and maintain model validation plans.
• Assess the appropriateness of the model framework with respect to current or planned use, its assumptions, mathematical implementation, underlying data, and system implementation.
• Assess the modeling data from extraction to preparation, cleansing, and treatment for model development suitability. Review and conduct model testing, including outcome analysis through sensitivity, scenario, and stress testing; conduct benchmark analysis; review implementation and user acceptance testing.
• Produce validation reports in accordance with the MRMF, including the identification of model limitations, weaknesses, effective range of model use, and assess the level of model risk according to the MRMF principles.
• Ensure effective communication with model risk stakeholders by setting expectations, obtaining and providing model-related information, and communicating model risk issues and independent recommendations during the validation process.
• Support model governance by ensuring that model metadata is captured and tracked accurately in the model risk management system, and support other model governance related activities such as annual model attestation or model risk reporting.

Model Risk Management Culture Enablement and Stakeholder Relationship (15%)

• Stay current with industry trends and practices in model risk management and act as a sounding board for model risk stakeholders.
• Educate, influence, and hold accountable key stakeholders accountable for managing model risk in accordance with the Bank’s MRMF and relevant regulatory guidelines.
• Provide independent feedback to model developers and/or risk management groups during model development to proactively identify and remediate model risk issues. Such input should be managed effectively to ensure that Model Validation independence is not compromised.
• Promote knowledge sharing. In their capacity, the incumbent may provide supervision to more junior validators.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with model risk stakeholders across the Bank, and act as a trusted advisor regarding model risk management.
• Escalate difficult or complex project-related issues, as appropriate.

Let's Talk About You!

• A Master’s degree or higher in Mathematics, Mathematical Finance, Statistics, Physics, Engineering, Economics, or an equivalent quantitative discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience (7 years preferred) in quantitative modeling and/or model validation within the financial industry.
• Experience within financial services or another highly regulated environment strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of model risk management and governance.
• Strong understanding of risk management principles and practices.
• Strong experience with programming languages, which may include Python, R, SAS, C++, C#, Java, and MATLAB.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Excellent project management, time management, and organizational skills.
• Excellent technical documentation and report‑writing skills.
• Excellent communication skills.

What we offer [For full‑time permanent roles]

Competitive discretionary bonus

Market leading RRSP match program

Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits

Employee Share Purchase Plan

Maternity/Parental top‑up while you care for your little one

Generous vacation policy and personal days

Virtual events to connect with your fellow colleagues

Professional development and comprehensive Career Development program

A fulfilling opportunity to join one of the top FinTechs and help create a new kind of banking experience

The incumbent will be working hybrid and in office time will be spent working from EQ Bank’s additional office space located at 2200-25 Ontario Street, Toronto, ON.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

EQ is committed to building an inclusive, accessible environment where every employee feels valued, respected, and supported. We believe our organization is stronger — and our people thrive — when we honour and celebrate diverse experiences, identities, and perspectives. We’re equally committed to supporting your growth, both professionally and personally.

We provide a barrier‑free recruitment process and work environment. If you require accommodations at any stage, we will work with you to ensure you can bring your best self to the process and beyond.

As part of our recruitment process, EQ uses AI to help screen, assess, and/or select applicants for this position. All AI‑enabled outputs are reviewed and validated by our talent team. All candidates considered for hire must successfully complete a criminal background check and credit check. While we appreciate every application, an EQ recruiter will contact only those whose skills and experience most closely match the requirements of the role.

EQB Inc. (TSX: EQB) is the parent company of Equitable Bank, the country's seventh‑largest Schedule I bank by assets, which operates EQ Bank, Canada's Challenger Bank™. EQB Inc. serves nearly 4 million Canadians and manages approximately $150 billion in combined assets under management and administration.

To learn more, visit eqb.investorroom.com and eqbank.ca.