Lead Model Validation

Join building a bank that puts people first — a place where motivated, curious, and energetic individuals can grow, innovate, and make a real impact. The Model Validation Lead must have solid data science experience to help strengthen and shape how models are reviewed across the organisation. In this role, you’ll take the lead on validating advanced AI and machine learning models, support and mentor analysts, and make sure our governance and risk standards are consistently met. You’ll run independent validation projects, build challenger models, and work closely with teams across the business to influence decisions in a fast-moving, evolving environment.

Responsibilities:

• Provide subject matter expertise, oversight, and guidance in the technical review and validation of the organisation’s models, with a focus on machine learning.
• Ensure robust model governance, documentation, and model risk management practices to enhance model quality, methodology, and usage.
• Lead and execute independent validations across diverse model types, including credit risk, operational optimisation, financial crime, and marketing analytics.
• Design, build, and assess challenger models using advanced machine learning techniques.
• Research new and emerging algorithms to ensure model approaches are fit-for-purpose and aligned to industry best practice.
• Ensure models meet regulatory, governance, and internal risk standards.
• Collaborate with model development teams and business stakeholders, delivering effective challenge and assurance.
• Contribute to the continuous enhancement of validation methodologies, frameworks, and best practice standards.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Minimum 6 years’ experience in data science model development, with direct model validation or review experience strongly preferred.
• Strong technical expertise in tree-based methods, neural networks, clustering, anomaly detection, and other advanced ML/statistical techniques.
• Exposure to cloud environments (AWS preferred) and emerging technologies, including large language models (LLMs).
• Ability to independently design and deliver all components of ML projects, except the most complex.
• Experience in data mining, feature engineering, and preparing data for advanced analytics and predictive modelling.
• Experience having your own models independently validated, or direct experience conducting validations.

The Reference Number for this position is NG60939 which is a Permanent Hybrid position based in Stellenbosch, Cape Town offering a salary of up to R1.4mil CTC negotiable on experience and ability. Contact Nokuthula at nokuthulag@ e-merge.co.za or call her on 011 463 3633 to discuss this and other opportunities.

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Posted on 09 Dec 15:21, Closing date 7 Feb