Model Governance Lead, Credit

Plaid; New York (NY); On-site; USD 208,000 - 307,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity compensation

Comprehensive benefits (medical,Dental

Vision, 401(k)

Job summary

Plaid is seeking a Model Governance Lead, Credit to own and execute Plaid’s governance program for its credit models. You will ensure conceptual soundness, validation, and documentation, while partnering with cross-functional teams to improve practices and risk controls.

You will independently assess model inputs, performance, and limitations, translating weaknesses into actionable remediation with product, data science, and engineering teams. Strong governance in FinTech is a plus.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience building and owning a model governance program.
• Experience in model validation, model risk management, model development, or Data Science.
• Deep knowledge of models built for credit purposes.
• Strong understanding of machine learning modeling concepts and techniques.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute the Model Governance program for Plaid’s Credit products.
• Ensure models are sound, validated, documented, and fit for use.
• Identify risks and remediation plans; provide independent challenge to teams.

Skills

Model governance

Model validation

Data analysis

ML concepts

XGBoost

Foundation models

Neural networks

Independent mindset

Tools

XGBoost

Job description

We believe that the way people interact with their finances will drastically improve in the next few years. We’re dedicated to empowering this transformation by building the tools and experiences that thousands of developers use to create their own products. Plaid powers the tools millions of people rely on to live a healthier financial life. We work with thousands of companies like Venmo, SoFi, several of the Fortune 500, and many of the largest banks to make it easy for people to connect their financial accounts to the apps and services they want to use. Plaid’s network covers 12,000 financial institutions across the US, Canada, UK and Europe. Founded in 2013, the company is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in New York, Seattle, Washington D.C., Raleigh, London, and Amsterdam.

About the Team

We drive the evolution of Model Governance for Plaid’s Credit products. We work closely with Plaid’s Credit insights team, including Product, Data Science, and Engineering, to support the development and responsible use of next-generation Credit scores and attributes based on cash flow and Plaid’s network.

About the Role

As the Model Governance Lead, Credit, you will own and execute the Model Governance program for Plaid’s Credit products. You will help ensure that the models supporting Plaid’s Credit Score and Insights products are conceptually sound, appropriately validated, well-documented, and fit for their intended use.

You will work independently while partnering closely with model owners and cross-functional stakeholders. You will provide thoughtful challenge, identify risks and limitations, and help teams improve models and governance practices over time.

What Excites You

• - Building and evolving a model risk governance framework for an important Credit product portfolio.
• - Independently assessing the conceptual soundness, data, features, performance, stability, and intended use of credit models.
• - Identifying model weaknesses and translating them into clear, actionable remediation plans.
• - Partnering with Product, Data Science, and Engineering teams to strengthen model development and validation practices.
• - Creating clear, rigorous documentation that helps customers understand and trust the models behind Plaid’s Credit products.
• - Bringing curiosity, sound judgment, and constructive challenge to complex modeling decisions.
• - Helping shape responsible use of machine learning as Plaid develops new Credit scores and attributes.

What Excites Us

• - 7+ years of experience building and owning a model governance program.
• - Experience in model validation, model risk management, model development, or Data Science.
• - Deep knowledge of models built for credit purposes.
• - Strong understanding of machine learning modeling concepts and techniques, such as XGBoost, and what constitutes rigorous, defensible model validation.
• - Familiarity with newer modeling techniques, such as foundation models and neural networks.
• - Experience assessing data and feature inputs, conceptual soundness, model performance, stability, limitations, and appropriateness of use.
• - A genuinely independent, detail-oriented, and curious mindset.
• - Comfort providing meaningful challenge to model owners and stakeholders rather than simply documenting their work.
• - Experience working at a FinTech is a plus.

Our mission at Plaid is to unlock financial freedom for everyone. To support that mission, we seek to build a diverse team of driven individuals who care deeply about making the financial ecosystem more equitable. We recognize that strong qualifications can come from both prior work experiences and lived experiences. We encourage you to apply to a role even if your experience doesn't fully match the job description. We are always looking for team members that will bring something unique to Plaid!

Plaid is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion or religious belief, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, military or veteran status, disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Plaid is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance with your application or interviews due to a disability, please let us know at [e-mail].

Please review our Candidate Privacy Notice here .

Additional compensation in the form(s) of equity and/or commission are dependent on the position offered. Plaid provides a comprehensive benefit plan, including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k). Pay is based on factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience and skillset, and location. Pay and benefits are subject to change at any time, consistent with the terms of any applicable compensation or benefit plans.

Compensation

Zone A: $207,600 - $306,600 $207.6K – $306.6K Offers Equity