Senior Modeling Lead (AI/ML)

Role: Senior Modeling Lead (AI/ML) Locations: Plano, TX / San Antonio, TX (Onsite 3 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.