Principal Modeler – Model Development

Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC); San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 240,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision plans for you

401(k) match

Parental leave

Flexible time off

Job summary

Happen Bank is seeking a VP for Modeling & Data Science in San Francisco to lead enterprise modeling across credit, fraud, marketing, and deposits. You will set the vision for modeling excellence, integrate AI/ML capabilities, and lead a high-performing team of modelers.

As part of the leadership team, you will partner with Risk, Compliance, Engineering, and Credit Strategy, drive governance, and champion data-driven decision making.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of relevant experience, with consumer lending experience.
• 10+ years of people management leading analytical teams.
• Hands-on predictive modeling methods incl. logistic regression, tree-based methods.
• Deep learning and ML toolkit proficiency.
• Experience building/scale enterprise ML platforms.
• Knowledge of model governance, validation, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong communication and cross-functional influence.
• Bachelor's degree or higher.

Responsibilities

• Set the enterprise modeling strategy across credit underwriting, fraud, marketing, pricing, and operations.
• Champion AI/ML model innovation and deployment across the ecosystem.
• Govern a suite of models for performance, interpretability, and compliance.
• Collaborate with Technology to evolve the ML platform for scalable experimentation.
• Lead a team of 6-10 modeling and data science professionals.
• Partner with Credit Strategy, Marketing, Risk, Operations, Engineering, and Compliance.
• Evaluate emerging data sources to unlock new insights.
• Drive continuous improvement in tools, tech, and methodologies.
• Represent Happen Bank in industry forums and regulatory discussions.
• Coordinate with Model Risk Management for governance alignment.
• Communicate complex topics to senior leadership and regulators.

Skills

Leadership

AI/ML modeling

Predictive modeling

Model governance

Enterprise ML platforms

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Fintech/consumer lending experience

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

NumPy

Scikit-Learn

Pandas

Job description

Happen Bank (formerly LendingClub) is built around a simple purpose: to clear the way to help people turn intention into action, and action into financial progress. That means offering focused products, a frictionless mobile-first experience, and clear terms with no gotchas. Respect and fairness is part of our DNA, and that ideal shapes how we work, how we treat each other, and how we invest in our employees and our community. Join us in using data, bold thinking, and a commitment to innovation to help clear the way for millions of Americans to achieve more.

About the Role

Happen Bank’s Decision Science group is seeking an innovative and highly experienced quantitative data science leader to join us as our VP, Modeling & Data Science. This pivotal role will shape the next generation of modeling strategies across Happen Bank's enterprise- spanning personal loans, auto, purchase finance, and deposits.

As a key member of the leadership team, you will be responsible for setting a clear strategic vision for modeling excellence, including integrating next-generation machine learning (ML), AI capabilities, and advanced data sources into our credit, fraud, and marketing ecosystems. We're looking for a leader with extensive experience in the consumer lending or Fintech industry who is passionate about leveraging advanced analytics and machine learning to solve complex business problems. You will lead a high-performing team of modelers and partner cross-functionally to build an agile, future-ready modeling infrastructure.

What You’ll Do

• Set the enterprise modeling strategy across key domains: credit underwriting, fraud detection, marketing targeting, pricing, and operational decisioning.

• Champion AI/ML model innovation and oversee deployment of advanced statistical and ML models across the Happen Bank's ecosystem.

• Drive the development, enhancement, and governance of a comprehensive suite of models, ensuring performance, interpretability, and compliance.

• Collaborate with Technology to evolve our machine learning platform for scalable experimentation, deployment, and monitoring.

• Lead a team of 6-10 seasoned modeling and data science professionals, fostering a culture of innovation, curiosity, and rigor.

• Build robust partnerships with cross-functional teams including Credit Strategy, Marketing, Risk, Operations, Engineering, and Compliance.

• Evaluate and integrate emerging data sources to unlock new insights and opportunities across our lending and deposit products.

• Set the agenda for continuous improvement in tools, technologies, and methodologies.

• Serve as a modeling thought leader, representing Happen Bank's in industry forums and regulatory discussions, and benchmarking best-in-class practices.

• Partner closely with Model Risk Management to ensure strong governance and alignment with evolving regulatory expectations.

• Communicate complex technical and business topics with clarity and impact to senior leadership, the board, and regulators, on all aspects pertaining to the management of the modeling/AI/ML function.

About You

• 15+ years of relevant business experience, with a significant portionin consumer lending.

• 10+ years of experience in people management leading and developing teams of modelers, data scientists, or other analytical functions.

• Extensive hands-on experience with predictive modeling methods (e.g., logistic regression, multivariate linear regression, decision tree, cluster analysis), with a strong command of a wide range of advanced data mining and machine learning techniques.

• Deep practical experience and solid understanding of machine learning and deep learning methods (e.g., GBM, Neural Networks).

• Proficiency with leading machine learning and deep learning toolkits (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, NumPy, Scikit-Learn, Pandas).

• Experience establishing or scaling enterprise-level ML platforms and practices.

• Experience with consumer credit portfolios and data science/decision science/risk management within the banking sector is a significant plus.

• Hands-on knowledge of credit and fraud functions development in a regulated banking or fintech environment.

• Strong understanding of model governance, validation, and regulatory compliance in financial services.

• A systems thinker who is comfortable operating in both strategic and technical dimensions.

• Ability to develop sophisticated quantitative measurements and analyses to address multi-dimensional business needs.

• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to clearly and precisely articulate technical and business topics across all levels of management, including senior executives and regulators.

• Proven ability to influence and drive change cross-functionally, championing new ideas and approaches.

• Bachelor's degree or higher, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Work Location

San Francisco

The above locations are eligible offices for this role. The locations have been determined to foster in-person collaboration with this role’s team or the related business lines. We utilize a hybrid work model, and our teams are in-office Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. In-person attendance is essential for this role’s success, and remote placement will not be considered. Happen Bank offers relocation, based on actual job level.

Time Zone Requirements

Primarily PT

Travel Requirements

Monthly/quarterly/as needed travel to Happen Bank offices and/or other locations, as needed.

Compensation

The target base salary range for this position is 240,000-270,000. The base salary of the role will be determined by job-related knowledge, experience, education, skills, and location. Base salary is just one part of Happen Banks Total Rewards package. You may also be eligible for long-term awards (equity) and an annual bonus (which is based on company performance, employee performance and eligible earnings).

We’re creating new financial services solutions for our members based on fairness, simplicity, and heart, and we treat our employees the same way. We offer a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision plans for employees and their families, 401(k) match, health and wellness programs, flexible time off policies for salaried employees, up to 16 weeks paid parental leave and more.

Notice on AI Tool Use

For select roles and locations, candidate interviews may be recorded, transcribed and summarized by tools such as artificial intelligence (AI) to assist our hiring managers with the application process.

You will have the opportunity to opt out of recording, transcription, and summarization prior to any scheduled interviews. We will not discriminate against you if you choose to opt out.

During the interview, we will collect the following categories of personal information from or about you: contact information, identifiers, professional and employment-related information, sensory information (audio/video recording), and any other categories of personal information you choose to share with us. We will use this information to evaluate your application for employment.

We will only share your interview, transcription, or summary with persons whose expertise or technology is necessary to process your application, evaluate your fitness for a position, and administer or support the tool. We will not sell your personal information or disclose it to any third party for their marketing purposes. For more information about how we will handle your personal information, please refer to our .

We will delete any recording of your interview promptly but in no event later than 30 days after making a hiring decision.

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Happen Bank is an equal opportunity employer and dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We believe that a variety of perspectives will make our teams and business stronger as we work together to transform the traditional banking system.