Senior Model Risk & Validation Consultant

Wawanesa Insurance; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus plan

Leave of absence top-up programs

Generous vacation time

Premium-free benefits

Pension plan

Job summary

The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company is seeking a Senior Model Risk & Validation Consultant to lead independent validation across enterprise models, including AI/ML systems, in line with OSFI guidelines. You will challenge assumptions, data, methodology, and controls with high autonomy.

You will contribute to model risk governance, maintain model inventory, and support MRAC activities while communicating complex concepts to stakeholders across Canada.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in data science, actuarial science, CS, mathematics or related field.
• 6+ years of model development or validation experience is an asset.
• Strong programming skills with Python and SQL.
• Experience validating or reviewing statistical, predictive, ML models and AI systems.
• Ability to clearly explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent validation and effective challenge of enterprise-wide models across the full model lifecycle.
• Review model conceptual soundness, data inputs, assumptions, methodology, performance and limitations.
• Assess model risk severity and the adequacy of controls, overlays and governance.
• Provide independent validation of AI/ML models including data quality, bias and explainability.
• Evaluate model reproducibility, documentation quality and transparency.
• Support Model Risk Adjudication Committee activities by maintaining model inventory and preparing independent validation summaries.

Skills

Python

SQL

Model validation

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in data science, actuarial science, computer sciences, mathematics, statistics

Job description

Job ID: 10224

Employment Type: New Role

Work Environment: We offer a hybrid work environment that offers flexibility to our employees in balancing in-office (2 days per week OR 15 hours per week in a Wawanesa office) and remote work. You may work from any of the following locations: Winnipeg, MB; Wawanesa, MB; Vancouver, BC; Calgary, AB; Edmonton, AB; Lethbridge, AB; Toronto (North York), ON; Kitchener, ON; Ottawa, ON; Montreal, QC; Quebec City, QC, Moncton, NB; Dartmouth; NS.

Working Business Language: English. This role is considered a head-office role and will be required to communicate with internal stakeholders across Canada where the primary business language utilized is English.

Salary: At Wawanesa, salary is only one component of a holistic, comprehensive and competitive offering that we provide to our employees. In addition to salary, full-time and part-time permanent employees are eligible for an annual bonus plan, leave of absence top-up programs and provided with generous vacation time, personal days, premium free benefits and pension plan.

The salary offered for this role is determined with consideration to various factors, including but not limited to: your work location, local labour market conditions, external market salary data, internal pay equity and the knowledge, skills, experience and anticipated proficiency in the role. The salary offered is estimated to be within the following range: $120,000 - $145,000. Candidates with salary expectations outside of the range are still encouraged to apply.

About The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company

Founded in 1896, The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company is one of Canada’s largest mutual insurers, 100% owned by its members, with more than $4.1 billion in annual revenue and $12.5 billion in assets. Headquartered in Winnipeg, Wawanesa is the parent company of Wawanesa Life, which provides life insurance solutions throughout Canada, and Western Financial Group, a leading national distributor of personal and business insurance. In March of 2026, Wawanesa entered into an agreement to acquire Everest Insurance Company of Canada to strengthen its commercial insurance capabilities and advance its long-term growth strategy.

Wawanesa proudly serves more than 1.8 million members and we are home to more than 3,000 employees across Canada. The company actively gives back to organizations that strengthen communities, donating more than $4 million annually to charitable organizations, including more than $2 million each year in support of people on the front lines of climate change. Learn more at wawanesa.com.

We are currently looking for dedicated, driven, and enthusiastic individuals who thrive in an environment that welcomes change and are looking for an opportunity for diverse experience and advancement on a growing team.

Job Overview

Reporting into the Enterprise Risk Management function, the Senior Model Risk & Validation Consultant plays a key role in independent review, validation, and challenge of models across the enterprise, including traditional statistical models, actuarial models, machine learning and AI systems.

This role supports the organization’s compliance with OSFI Guideline E 23 and evolving regulatory expectations for AI governance, fairness, transparency, and explainability, while promoting strong model risk governance and risk aware decision making across the enterprise.

The successful candidate will bring strong data science and quantitative modeling expertise, combined with experience in model validation, independent review, or second line oversight, and will work with a high degree of autonomy to challenge model assumptions, methodologies, and controls.

Independent Model Validation & Challenge

• Conduct independent validation and effective challenge of enterprise wide models across the full model lifecycle, in line with OSFI Guideline E 23.
• Review model conceptual soundness, data inputs, assumptions, methodology, performance, stability, limitations, and intended use.
• Assess model risk severity and the adequacy of controls, overlays, monitoring, and governance arrangements.
• Provide independent validation and risk challenge of AI and ML models, including data quality, bias, explainability and performance monitoring
• Evaluate model reproducibility, explainability, documentation quality, and transparency.

Model Risk Governance

• Contribute to the ongoing enhancement of the Model Risk Management Framework, including model inventory management, risk classification, validation standards and documentation requirements.
• Support Model Risk Adjudication Committee (MRAC) activities by:
• Managing and updating enterprise model inventory.
• Preparing independent validation summaries and risk assessments.
• Tracking findings, remediation actions, and residual risk acceptance decisions.
• Provide input into updates to model risk policies, procedures, and guidance, aligned with OSFI and AMF expectations.
• Promote strong model development and monitoring practices across the organization through guidance, challenge, and education.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in data science, actuarial science, computer sciences, mathematics, statistics or other related discipline.
• More than six years of model development or validation experience an asset.
• Strong programming skills with Python and SQL.
• Experience validating or reviewing statistical, predictive, machine learning models and AI systems.
• Ability to clearly explain complex technical concepts to non technical stakeholders.

Diversity Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

At Wawanesa, we are committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) and believe that our strength lies in the diversity of our people – this is supported by having a representative workforce.

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, including racialized persons, women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, gender-diverse and neurodiverse individuals, and anyone who can contribute to the further diversification of thought and ideas.

We aim to ensure our recruitment process is accessible to all candidates. If you require accommodations during any stage of the recruitment process, please reach out in confidence to [e-mail].

All Wawanesa job applicants are subject to Wawanesa's Privacy Policy.

Please note that the recruitment process for this position may involve the use of AI tools to screen, assess, or select applicants. All final decisions are taken or reviewed by human recruiters and human hiring leaders in compliance with all applicable legislation.