VP, Model Validation and Validation COE

Job Description:

Role Summary/Purpose:

The VP, Model Validation and Validation COE is responsible for performing model validation for all the fraud models, and ensure they are meeting the related MRM policies, standards, procedures as well as regulations (SR 11-7). In addition, this role will establish and maintain a validation center of excellence to support the model governance team in designing the quality assurance process and leading the execution across all validations,  act as an incubation center to test and run innovation, provide standardized training and staff development, and support the improvement of the model risk professional practice to improve the model stakeholder experience.  

This role requires high level of expertise with minimal technical supervision to serve as project lead as well as being accountable for validation results. The COE will closely partner with the model governance lead as well as other validation leads to drive tangible improvements to the model risk practice.  

Our Way of Working

We’re proud to offer you choice and flexibility. At Synchrony, our way of working allows you to have the option to work from home, near one of our Hubs or come into one of our offices. Occasionally you may be required to commute to our nearest office for in person engagement activities such as business or team meetings, training and culture events.

Essential Responsibilities:

Candidate will be responsible for work related to model validation and validation COE, both of which are outlined below:

Model Validation COE:

The candidate is expected to draw experience from validation to establish a validation center of excellence and support the model governance lead to drive best practice, specifically the objectives of the COE are:  

• Quality assurance: Establish a quality assurance process to deep dive on validation practice across all model types. Challenge status quo and identify requirements and/or validation gaps proactively. Support the Model Governance team to make improvement recommendations and implement enhancements.

• Strategy &  Innovation: Act as an incubation center to test and run innovative ideas to improve model validation speed, efficiency, and quality (e.g. use Gen AI insights). Support the model governance team in implementing the changes.

• Training and Staff Development: Provide standardized but individualized training to ensure new validation hires are brough up to speed within a time window. Formalize career development and training programs to support existing employees’ career goals.

• Professional Practice: Support the Model Governance team to improve 1LOD model owner experience and bring value focused validation practice.

Model Validation:

• Accountable for all fraud model risk management and drive the timeline and completion of the projects with minimal guidance.

• Supervisory role working with junior reviewers in validation projects.

• Handle escalation of issues and dispute with model owner level independently. See through the issues remediation, root cause analysis, and potential risk acceptance.

• Support regulatory examinations and internal audits of the modeling process and selected models samples.

• Perform other duties and/or special projects as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Master's degree (or foreign equivalent) in Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science or related quantitative field and 5+ years' experience in model development / model validation experience in financial services, banking, or retail; in lieu of a Master’s degree, 9+ years’ experience in model development / model validation experience in financial services, banking, or retail

• 4+ years’ hands-on and proven experience with data science and statistical tools including Python, R, SAS, and SQL, SPARK, and Data Lake.

• 4+ years of statistical analysis and the handling large amounts of data and analyzing for trends.

• 4+ years’ experience with the application of US regulatory requirements for Model Risk Management.

Desired Characteristics:

• Strong knowledge of Regulatory requirements for Model Risk Management with proven track records of delivering Regulatory requirements.

• 5+ years in Model Risk Management in modeling and validation in the financial services industry including both analytic/modeling/quantitative experience and governance or other credit/financial discipline.

• Experience in machine learning model development or validation in fraud and credit

• Experience in people and project management, including demonstrated ability to develop actionable plan to meet high level objectives, strong execution, and timeline sensitive deliverables.

• Sharp focus on accuracy with extreme attention to detail.

• Knowledge of Credit Card/Consumer Finance products and business model.

• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills.

Grade/Level: 12

The salary range for this position is 130,000.00 - 210,000.00 USD Annual and is eligible for an annual bonus based on individual and company performance.

Actual compensation offered within the posted salary range will be based upon work experience, skill level or knowledge.

Salaries are adjusted according to market in CA, NY Metro and Seattle.

Eligibility Requirements:

• You must be 18 years or older

• You must have a high school diploma or equivalent

• You must be willing to take a drug test, submit to a background investigation and submit fingerprints as part of the onboarding process

• You must be able to satisfy the requirements of Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.

• New hires (Level 4-7) must have 9 months of continuous service with the company before they are eligible to post on other roles.  Once this new hire time in position requirement is met, the associate will have a minimum 6 months’ time in position before they can post for future non-exempt roles.  Employees, level 8 or greater, must have at least 18 months’ time in position before they can post.  All internal employees must consistently meet performance expectations and have approval from your manager to post (or the approval of your manager and HR if you don’t meet the time in position or performance expectations).

Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required.  We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. 

Our Commitment:

When you join us, you’ll be part of a diverse, inclusive culture where your skills, experience, and voice are not only heard—but valued. We celebrate the differences in all of us and believe that our individual, unique perspectives is what makes Synchrony truly a great place to work. Together, we’re building a future where we can all belong, connect and turn ideals into action. Through the power of our 8 Diversity Networks+, with more than 60% of our workforce engaged, you’ll find community to connect with an opportunity to go beyond your passions.

This starts when you choose to apply for a role at Synchrony. We ensure all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Reasonable Accommodation Notice:

• Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

• If you need special accommodations, please call our Career Support Line so that we can discuss your specific situation. We can be reached at 1-866-301-5627.   Representatives are available from 8am – 5pm Monday to Friday, Central Standard Time

Job Family Group: