SENIOR MODELING LEAD

Role: Senior Modeling Lead (AI/ML)
Locations: Plano, TX / San Antonio, TX (Onsite 1–2 days/week)
Needed: Banking / Financial Services Domain
Hire Type: Full-Time (No Contract)

Position Overview

We are seeking a Senior Modeling Lead to provide strategic and technical oversight across multiple AI/ML workstreams. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in Banking or Financial Services, with expertise in model development, quantitative modeling, model operations/monitoring, and credit risk analytics.

The role requires a strong Data Science background, hands-on proficiency in Python, and experience leading end-to-end model development initiatives. Exposure to AI/ML models, model governance, validation frameworks, and stakeholder management is highly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and technical leadership across multiple AI/ML modeling workstreams, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Oversee the full model lifecycle, including development, validation, independent assessment, performance optimization, monitoring, documentation, and governance.
• Establish and enforce consistent modeling standards, methodology frameworks, explainability practices, and bias testing protocols.
• Act as the primary escalation point for model risk, governance issues, and technical challenges while partnering with risk and compliance teams.
• Lead model review and approval processes, ensuring compliance with internal governance requirements and regulatory standards.
• Translate complex modeling outcomes and technical findings into actionable insights for executive and non-technical stakeholders.
• Drive evaluation and adoption of emerging AI/ML tools, platforms, and methodologies.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of data scientists and modelers.
• Define and execute the team's long-term analytical roadmap while balancing innovation and business-as-usual delivery.
• Collaborate with data engineering, technology, operations, and business teams to align modeling solutions with organizational objectives.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in quantitative modeling, data science, or applied AI/ML.
• Minimum 3 years of Team Lead or Senior Technical Lead experience within the Banking domain.
• Strong hands-on experience in model development and model monitoring of advanced ML, quantitative, or financial models.
• Strong proficiency in Python.
• Experience with modern AI/ML frameworks, MLOps tooling, and large-scale data platforms.
• Deep understanding of the end-to-end model lifecycle, including model risk management, validation frameworks, and regulatory expectations.
• Experience engaging with model risk, audit, compliance, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional modeling teams in a fast-paced, delivery-oriented environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Machine Learning, Generative AI, NLP, call center optimization, and marketing models.
• Track record of evaluating and implementing emerging AI/ML technologies.
• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Data Science, or a related quantitative discipline.