Data Scientist, Model Validation

Desjardins Group uses a large number of data-driven quantitative models to support its product and service offer and to properly manage its risks, with the goal of always doing what’s best for members and clients. While these models provide indisputable decision-making support, their use leads to further risks that must in turn be analyzed, assessed and mitigated. As a data scientist, model validation, you help ensure that data is appropriately valued at each stage of the model’s life cycle. You help make business decisions, develop solutions and services tailored to business issues and interpret member/client behaviour. In this respect, you check that the validation programs in place are properly applied to ensure that the models comply with all quality criteria used by Desjardins Group. You make recommendations on the development and use of models with a high degree of operational and conceptual complexity, using your analytical skills and comprehensive, in-depth understanding of your line of business and the organization. You serve as a specialist advisor and subject matter specialist and assist the expert advisor in their role as a resource person for senior management and decision-making bodies. You interact with many interested parties who work in a wide range of fields and in model governance. More specifically, you will be required to:

• Ensure that modelling processes make appropriate use of available data based on characterization, quality and processing as part of strategic initiatives
• Ensure that predictive modelling is carried out according to the required standards and that Desjardins Group’s quality criteria are met through the validation process
• Analyze the business needs behind the model and confirm the model’s suitability through validation
• Ensure that the programming required to prepare and mine data, and to develop, evaluate, support, roll out and manage highly conceptually complex and innovative models meets the required standards
• Use advanced and innovative statistical, machine learning and artificial intelligence methods to test the methodologies proposed by the first line of defence
• Help draft guidelines and methods and shape methodological and technological choices
• Advise and train teams on quantitative model validation methods and update them to improve delivery speed
• Identify opportunities to optimize rules and systems, anticipate underlying impacts of changes and help develop data management and modelling support tools
• Represent teams with various internal interested parties
• Monitor the industry to understand and anticipate trends in your field of expertise in model validation, with a view to developing and updating practices that are contextually appropriate for the organization.

What we offer*

• Competitive salary and annual bonus
• 4 weeks of flexible vacation starting in the first year
• Defined benefit pension plan that provides predictable, stable income throughout retirement
• Group insurance including telemedicine
• Reimbursement of health and wellness expenses and telework equipment

* Benefits apply based on eligibility criteria.

What you bring to the table

• Bachelor's degree in a related field
• A minimum of four years of relevant experience,
• Please note that other combinations of qualifications and relevant experience may be considered
• Knowledge of French is required
• Intermediate knowledge of English due to the nature of the duties or work tools or because the position involves interactions with English-speaking partners, members and/or clients
• Proficiency in risk management models in at least one of the following areas:
  • Credit: Scoring models, shadow ratings, IFRS 9 and regulatory parameters (PD, LGD, EAD, SICR, ECL, for example), including economic capital calculation and stress testing using SAS, Python, MATLAB and RiskFrontier
  • Liquidity: Pre-payment models, LCR, NCCF including economic capital calculation and stress testing using QRM and Python
• Knowledge of mathematical modelling and statistics
• Knowledge of programming: C++, SQL, Python, MATLAB, VB, SAS
• Knowledge of the banking industry
• Knowledge of Basel regulations

Complexity, Innovation, Interpersonal Savvy

Trade Union (If applicable)

At Desjardins, we believe in equity, diversity and inclusion. We're committed to welcoming, respecting and valuing people for who they are as individuals, learning from their differences, embracing their uniqueness, and providing a positive workplace for all. At Desjardins, we have zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind. We believe our teams should reflect the diversity of the members, clients and communities we serve.

If there's something we can do to help make the recruitment process or the job you're applying for more accessible, let us know. We can provide accommodations at any stage in the recruitment process. Just ask!

Job Family

Data (FG)

Unposting Date

2026-08-4