Scotiabank

Lead Data Scientist, Canadian Commercial Banking

Scotiabank • $110K — $130K *
Toronto, ON M3C 0E3In-Person
Finance & Insurance
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Extensive experience in data science, predictive modeling, or advanced analytics with accountability for production assets.
  • Ownership of a complex analytical platform or enterprise data asset with successful stabilization history.
  • Ability to rapidly understand complex business processes, data structures, and code bases.
  • Deep expertise in statistical modeling and machine learning, along with performance assessment and validation support.
  • Strong experience with large-scale enterprise datasets, data lineage, and quality investigation.
  • Advanced Python and SQL skills, with GCP and BigQuery experience preferred.
  • Understanding of production data pipelines, deployment practices, and collaboration with tech teams.

Responsibilities

  • Assume technical ownership of a critical enterprise analytics platform including predictive models and business rules.
  • Rapidly acquire platform knowledge and navigate interconnected components.
  • Lead platform stabilization by identifying key risks and establishing a support model.
  • Own model stewardship including monitoring and validation activities.
  • Investigate complex data quality and production issues through root cause analysis.
  • Develop understanding of data lineage and ensure changes are documented.
  • Maintain documentation of data sources, model methodologies, and operational procedures.

Benefits

  • Competitive Total Rewards package including performance-based bonus and flexible benefits.
  • Ongoing career development opportunities with coaching from experienced leaders.
  • Lead impactful work on analytics platforms supporting commercial banking decisions.
  • Collaborative team environment that values partnership and analytical rigor.
  • Exposure to complex data ecosystems and cross-functional challenges for accelerated learning.
Full Job Description
Requisition ID: 271520

About the Opportunity:

As a Lead Data Scientist within Commercial Banking Data and Analytics at Scotiabank, you will play a critical role in the stewardship, stability, enhancement, and ongoing operation of a business-critical analytics and predictive modeling platform supporting Commercial Banking and Risk stakeholders.

In this role, you will provide technical leadership across complex data assets, predictive models, business rules, and production processes. You will work through ambiguity, reverse engineer existing methodologies and code, assess data and model risks, and partner across Analytics, Credit, Risk, Data, and Technology teams to strengthen analytical capabilities that help enable sound business decisions.

How You Will Make an Impact:
  • Assume technical ownership of a critical enterprise analytics platform, including its predictive models, methodologies, data assets, business rules, code base, and production processes
  • Rapidly acquire platform knowledge and independently determine how complex, interconnected components operate, including areas with limited documentation or institutional knowledge
  • Lead platform stabilization by identifying key data, model, process, and operational risks; prioritizing remediation; and establishing a sustainable support model
  • Own model stewardship, including performance monitoring, methodology assessment, recalibration, enhancements, controls, and support for governance and validation activities
  • Investigate and resolve complex data quality, model output, pipeline, and production issues through structured root cause analysis
  • Develop a detailed understanding of data lineage, transformations, feature logic, source-system dependencies, and downstream uses; ensure that material changes are assessed and documented
  • Maintain clear documentation of data sources, model methodologies, code, controls, operating procedures, issue resolution, and key business rules
  • Partner with Commercial Banking, Credit, Risk, Data, and Technology stakeholders to ensure the platform remains reliable and fit for purpose
  • Provide technical direction across the cross-functional resources supporting the platform, with clear accountability across data, modeling, credit, and operational activities
  • Establish repeatable development, testing, release, monitoring, and incident-management practices that strengthen resiliency and reduce key-person dependency
  • Identify opportunities to simplify and modernize legacy analytical processes and, as capacity allows, contribute to broader advanced analytics and AI initiatives
  • Mentor data scientists and analysts and promote high standards for analytical rigor, documentation, reproducibility, and responsible model use


What You Will Bring:
  • Extensive experience in data science, predictive modeling, advanced analytics, or a related quantitative discipline, including accountability for production analytical assets
  • Proven experience assuming ownership of a complex analytical platform, predictive model, or enterprise data asset and successfully stabilizing and operationalizing it
  • Demonstrated ability to rapidly understand complex or partially documented business processes, data structures, model methodologies, code bases, and system dependencies
  • Deep expertise in statistical modeling and machine learning, including model performance assessment, monitoring, recalibration, feature evaluation, validation support, and interpretation
  • Strong experience with large-scale, multi-source enterprise datasets, including data lineage, quality investigation, transformation logic, and reproducible analysis
  • Advanced Python and SQL skills for data investigation, feature engineering, model development, testing, and production support; GCP and BigQuery experience is preferred
  • Strong understanding of production data and ML pipelines, orchestration, version control, testing, deployment practices, and collaboration with data engineering and technology teams
  • Experience with model governance, model risk management, documentation, controls, and audit or validation support in a regulated environment
  • Strong structured problem-solving skills and sound judgment when working through ambiguous, high-impact technical or business issues
  • Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain complex data and model concepts to senior business, Risk, Credit, and technical stakeholders
  • Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership, influence cross-functional teams, and mentor data professionals without formal reporting authority
  • Experience in financial services, commercial banking, credit risk, portfolio management, or early warning analytics is strongly preferred
  • Experience applying GenAI, large language models, agentic workflows, or AI-assisted development is an asset, but secondary to deep data and modeling experience


Nice-to-have:
  • Experience in financial services, commercial banking, credit risk, portfolio management, or early warning analytics
  • Experience with GCP, BigQuery, or similar cloud-based data platforms
  • Experience applying GenAI, large language models, agentic workflows, or AI-assisted development
  • Familiarity with credit, risk, or commercial banking data ecosystems and related business processes


Education:
  • University degree in a relevant quantitative discipline such as Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, or a related field. A Master's degree or PhD is preferred.


What's in it for You?

  • A competitive Total Rewards package including performance-based bonus and flexible benefits
  • Ongoing career development and coaching from experienced leaders, with opportunities to grow within Commercial Banking, analytics, technology, and across Scotiabank
  • The opportunity to lead meaningful work on business-critical analytics and predictive modeling platforms that support Commercial Banking and Risk decision-making
  • A dynamic, collaborative, and high-performing team that values partnership, inclusion, analytical rigor, and shared success
  • Exposure to complex data ecosystems, advanced analytics, model governance, and cross-functional business challenges that will accelerate your learning and impact


Working Conditions:
  • Work in a standard office-based environment; Additional hours may occasionally be required to support critical production issues, releases, or business priorities.


Location(s): Canada : Ontario : Toronto

About Scotiabank

Scotiabankers are committed to helping individuals, companies, and communities to thrive in a changing world. From personal and business banking, brokerage, and insurance, to private wealth, and the most sophisticated commercial, corporate and institutional services, they serve the diverse needs of some 21 million customers in more than 55 countries. Founded in 1832 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, their growth has always been fuelled by the success of their customers and their longevity secured by an unshakable commitment to carefully and expertly managing risk and capital. That focus on doing what's right for customers—short- andlong-term—has made us a global financial services leader. Headquartered in Canada, they are over 86, 000 Scotiabankers strong. Each of us are committed to being the best at understanding their customers' needs and all of us working together to deliver practical advice and relevant solutions that help their customers become financially better off.

Scotiabank Careers

Join Scotiabank, a premier financial institution, and become part of a diverse and inclusive team that’s leading the way in global banking. At Scotiabank, we offer more than just job opportunities; we provide a platform for professional growth and innovation in the financial services industry.

Work You’ll Do

At Scotiabank, we’re not just filling positions; we’re cultivating leaders. Dive into a workplace where diversity training and leadership development shape the path to your future. Our commitment to professional growth is evident in our robust training programs and continuous learning opportunities that foster innovation and strategic thinking.

Explore a World of Opportunities

Whether you’re looking for a full-time position, an internship, or a leadership role, Scotiabank has a spectrum of opportunities to fit your career ambitions. Our team is composed of individuals who bring a wealth of skills and perspectives to our company, driving us forward with their creativity and strategic insights.

Innovative Work Environment

Scotiabank’s culture is one of collaboration and respect, where each team member’s contribution is valued. Engage in meaningful work that challenges you to leverage your skills and push the boundaries of what’s possible in the banking sector. Our innovative projects not only support the growth of the company but also ensure our position as a leader in the industry.

Benefits and Growth

Choosing a career at Scotiabank means opting for a life of growth and opportunity. Our employees enjoy competitive benefits, including comprehensive health coverage, retirement plans, and flexible working conditions, all designed to support your career and personal life. We believe in nurturing our team’s potential by providing them with the tools they need to succeed both professionally and personally.

Join Our Team

Ready to take the next step in your career? Explore the job opportunities at Scotiabank by searching our open positions that match your skills and interests. We are continuously hiring and looking for passionate, curious, and solution-driven team players.

Networking and Professional Development

Stay connected and advance your career through Scotiabank’s extensive networking opportunities. Participate in events that connect you with other professionals and leaders within the industry. Our career resources will help you prepare your resume, ace your interviews, and land the job that best suits your career goals.

Stay Ahead

Keep up to date with the latest in career tips, industry insights, and company news—all from the people who work here at Scotiabank. Personalize your experience by subscribing to job alert emails tailored to your preferences and be the first to know about new openings and exciting developments. Join Scotiabank and be part of a team that values integrity, respect, and accountability. Discover how your career can flourish in an environment committed to your professional development and personal growth.
Learn more about Scotiabank
Size
90,619 employees
Market Cap
$57.5 billion
Industry
Finance & Insurance
5 Year Trend
+7%
NASDAQ
BNS
* Ladders Estimates

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