Director, Decision Science - Canada
BMO
Toronto, ON, CAN
Full-Time
$132,600
HybridDirector
Application Deadline:
Address:
33 Dundas Street WestJob Family Group:
The Director, Decision Science – Canada will lead a team of decision scientists responsible for developing, deploying, and optimizing credit risk models across the customer lifecycle. This role owns adjudication, account management, and collections analytics, ensuring models are production‑ready, compliant, and deliver strong business outcomes. The ideal candidate brings deep credit risk expertise, strong people leadership, and the ability to apply advanced analytics, ML, and AI where appropriate.
Key Responsibilities
Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing team of 10+ decision science professionals.
Own end‑to‑end development of underwriting, account management, and collections models.
Drive best‑in‑class modeling practices including reject inference, WoE binning, IV analysis, and scorecard development.
Partner with Technology and Product to ensure seamless model‑to‑production deployment, monitoring, and governance.
Oversee data preparation, feature engineering, and rigorous data cleaning using internal and credit bureau data.
Monitor model performance, stability, and drift; lead recalibration and enhancement efforts.
Apply machine learning and AI techniques selectively to improve predictive power while maintaining explainability and regulatory alignment.
Communicate insights and recommendations to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
Qualifications
MS or PhD in Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Data Science, Computer Science, or related field.
7+ years of experience in credit risk modeling within financial services or fintech.
Proven experience building and deploying models for adjudication, account management, and collections.
Strong expertise in data cleaning, reject inference, WoE binning, and credit bureau data usage.
Hands‑on experience taking models from design through production implementation.
Proficiency with analytics tools such as Python, R, SQL, or SAS.
Demonstrated people leadership and ability to influence cross‑functional partners.
Nice to Have
Experience with ML/AI models in regulated credit environments.
Familiarity with Canadian credit market and regulatory expectations.
Exposure to modern MLOps and cloud‑based analytics platforms.
This hybrid role requires in‑office collaboration a minimum of three days per week.
If you’re looking for your next dream job, consider this one in BMO’s Enterprise Risk Group where every colleague helps protect and grow the bank by providing independent review and oversight of enterprise-wide risks, working together to maintain a risk management framework and fostering a strong risk culture.#ERPMDreamJobs
Applies mathematical and statistical methods to financial and risk management problems (e.g. internal controls; enterprise-wide stress testing and scenario analysis; capital modelling; valuations). Through quantitative analytical modelling, identifies important factors to consider for financial disaster and recovery plans. Conducts research and creates tools that use data to develop scenario-based planning and implements complex mathematical models to help the business make better financial and financial decisions (e.g. investments, pricing, etc.), drive innovation and minimize the impact of uncertainty.
Develops pricing and quantitative risk models for an assigned portfolio e.g. fixed income, corporate credit and loans.
Monitors risk in strategies and portfolios alongside project managers or functional leads.
Conducts research and develops tools that use data to make better financial decisions; such as: investments, pricing, etc.
Applies knowledge of risk assessment and controls along with extensive understanding of industry compliance standards and regulations.
Identifies ways of mitigating potential risks; recommends and implements solutions based on analysis of issues and implications for the business.
Documents data flow, systems and processes to improve the design, implementation and management of business/group processes.
Conducts quantitative research in risks across strategies and portfolios.
Fosters a culture aligned to BMO purpose, values and strategy and role models BMO values and behaviours in all that they do.
Ensures alignment between values and behaviour that fosters diversity and inclusion.
Regularly connects work to BMO’s purpose, sets inspirational goals, defines clear expected outcomes, and ensures clear accountability for follow through.
Builds interdependent teams that collaborate across functional and operating groups to create the highest value for all stakeholders.
Attracts, retains, and enables the career development of top talent.
Improves team performance, recognizes and rewards performance, coaches employees, supports their development, and manages poor performance.
Operates at a group/enterprise-wide level and serves as a senior specialist resource across BMO.
Influences how teams/groups work together.
Applies expertise and thinks creatively to address unique or ambiguous situations and to find solutions to multiple, interdependent, complex problems.
Communicates abstract concepts in simple terms.
Fosters strong internal and external networks and works with and across multiple teams to achieve business objectives.
Anticipates trends and responds by implementing appropriate changes.
Broader work or accountabilities may be assigned as needed.
Take measured risks while protecting the bank by applying our Risk Management Framework in the execution of your role, in line with our Risk Culture and within our approved Risk Appetite, making sound and risk informed decisions that align to business strategy, protect assets, and adhere to applicable policy documents (Frameworks, Policies, Standards, Procedures and Supporting documents), laws and regulations.
Qualifications:
Advanced level of proficiency:
Regulatory capital and stress testing.
Compliance and regulation.
Machine learning.
Learning Agility.
Expert level of proficiency:
Model risk management.
Data visualization.
Data wrangling.
Data preprocessing.
Critical thinking.
Driving Results.
Quantitative financial modeling.
Computational thinking and programming.
Verbal & written communication skills.
Analytical and problem solving skills.
Collaboration & team skills; with a focus on cross-group collaboration.
Able to manage ambiguity.
Data driven decision making.
Typically 9+ years of relevant experience and post-secondary degree in related field of study or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Seasoned expert with extensive industry knowledge.
Technical leader viewed as a thought leader for innovation.
Salary:
Pay Type:
The above represents BMO Financial Group’s pay range and type.
Salaries will vary based on factors such as location, skills, experience, education, and qualifications for the role, and may include a commission structure. Salaries for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on number of hours regularly worked. For commission roles, the salary listed above represents BMO Financial Group’s expected target for the first year in this position.
BMO Financial Group’s total compensation package will vary based on the pay type of the position and may include performance-based incentives, discretionary bonuses, as well as other perks and rewards. BMO also offers health insurance, tuition reimbursement, accident and life insurance, and retirement savings plans. To view more details of our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.bmo.com/global/en/Total-Rewards
About Us
At BMO we are driven by a shared Purpose: Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. It calls on us to create lasting, positive change for our customers, our communities and our people. By working together, innovating and pushing boundaries, we transform lives and businesses, and power economic growth around the world.
As a member of the BMO team you are valued, respected and heard, and you have more ways to grow and make an impact. We strive to help you make an impact from day one – for yourself and our customers. We’ll support you with the tools and resources you need to reach new milestones, as you help our customers reach theirs. From in-depth training and coaching, to manager support and network-building opportunities, we’ll help you gain valuable experience, and broaden your skillset.
To find out more visit us at https://jobs.bmo.com/ca/en.
BMO is committed to an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace. By learning from each other’s differences, we gain strength through our people and our perspectives. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. To request accommodation, please contact your recruiter.
Note to Recruiters: BMO does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to BMO, directly or indirectly, will be considered BMO property. BMO will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. A recruiting agency must first have a valid, written and fully executed agency agreement contract for service to submit resumes.