Quantitative Modeler & Data Scientist

Columbia Bank•Lake Oswego, OR

3d•Onsite

About The Position

In this role, you will develop, implement, and support statistical, mathematical, economic, financial, and AI/ML-driven models that inform business decisions, strengthen risk management, and support strategic initiatives across the bank. The role provides exposure to a broad range of modeling and analytics applications, including financial planning, fraud detection, customer analytics, credit risk, anti-money laundering, asset liability management, and AI-enabled capabilities in areas such as fraud analytics, customer intelligence, process automation, and model monitoring. You will contribute to model validation, governance, documentation, and performance monitoring for financial, non-financial, and AI/ML-enabled models used across the organization. In partnership with stakeholders across the bank, you will provide guidance on model design, selection, implementation, monitoring, and appropriate use, with a focus on sound methodology, regulatory alignment, business value, and responsible adoption of emerging AI technologies. Design, estimate, implement, test, document, monitor, and maintain statistical, financial, economic, machine learning, and AI-enabled models used for business decision-making, risk management, forecasting, and strategic initiatives. Develop and support models for default, loss severity, fraud detection, customer analytics, financial planning, credit risk, anti-money laundering, asset liability management, model monitoring, and other financial and non-financial applications across the bank. Support responsible adoption of AI/ML capabilities by contributing to governance, documentation, monitoring, control design, and appropriate use standards for emerging analytics technologies. Conduct quantitative analysis, modeling, data mining, and programming using tools such as Databricks, Snowflake, SQL, R, Python, and other approved analytics platforms to generate insights, test hypotheses, and provide actionable recommendations. Partner with business units, technology, risk, compliance, and governance stakeholders to identify business needs, define analytical approaches, and develop modeling solutions aligned with internal standards and applicable regulatory expectations, including SR 26-2. Research and Develop quantitative tools and techniques to measure and analyze model risks and establish conclusions on strengths and limitations of the model. Assess conceptual foundations of a model, model specification, underlying assumptions, limitations, variable selection, underlying data, developmental evidence, documentation. Interview model developers/vendors and model owners to understand the business context for model use and facilitate the adoption of model risk management standards. Keep up-to-date with any banking regulations affecting model risk management practices across the bank. Advocate sound quantitative, model development, model monitoring, and AI governance practices across the bank. Propose and execute model validation tests for new and existing models in the inventory. Assist manager in production of regular and ad-hoc reports on individual and Bank-level model findings for Senior Management and regulators. Coordinate with model validation team on any changes to the Bank’s model inventory or End user Applications. Demonstrates compliance with all bank regulations for assigned job function and applies to designated job responsibilities – knowledge may be gained through coursework and on-the-job training. Keeps up to date on regulation changes. Follows all Bank policies and procedures, compliance regulations, and completes all required annual or job-specific training. Maintain a working knowledge of Bank's written policies and procedures regarding Bank Secrecy Act, Regulation CC, Regulation E, Bank Security and other regulations as applicable to this job description. May be asked to coach, mentor, or train others and teach coursework as subject matter expert. Actively learns, demonstrates, and fosters the Columbia corporate culture in all actions and words. Takes personal initiative and is a positive example for others to emulate. Embraces our vision to become “Business Bank of Choice” May perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in economics, mathematics, statistics, financial engineering, quantitative finance, or actuarial sciences.
2-4 years in banking or financial services as a Data Scientist, Statistician, Quantitative Risk Analyst, Model Developer, Model Validator, or similar.
Knowledge of regulatory requirements related to model risk management (FRB/OCC SR 26-2), Basel II/III capital requirements, and Dodd-Frank Act Stress Testing (DFAST).
Advanced understanding of statistical modeling, econometric forecasting, machine learning, data extraction and processing techniques; and demonstrated ability to apply such methods.
Experience with analytics software (Python, PySpark, R, Matlab, Excel VBA, SQL), relational databases and/or cloud computing platforms like Azure, AWS, Databricks, Snowflake.
Possess communication skills, both oral and written, with ability to translate complex statistical or economic theories and analysis into practical implications for business teams and Senior Management.
Demonstrate strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.
Ability to proactively learn newly emerging statistical, econometric, and mathematical modeling techniques, and understand the implications of their use in a banking organization.
Proven organizational skills are required to perform multiple tasks simultaneously to meet strict deadlines.
Critical thinker with business intuition, intellectual curiosity, and ability to execute.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. Doctoral degree or equivalent experience.
Certification as Financial Risk Manager (FRM), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), or Certificate in Quantitative Finance (CQF) or progress toward the Certification.

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and support statistical, mathematical, economic, financial, and AI/ML-driven models.
Contribute to model validation, governance, documentation, and performance monitoring.
Provide guidance on model design, selection, implementation, monitoring, and appropriate use.
Design, estimate, implement, test, document, monitor, and maintain statistical, financial, economic, machine learning, and AI-enabled models.
Develop and support models for default, loss severity, fraud detection, customer analytics, financial planning, credit risk, anti-money laundering, asset liability management, model monitoring, and other financial and non-financial applications.
Support responsible adoption of AI/ML capabilities by contributing to governance, documentation, monitoring, control design, and appropriate use standards.
Conduct quantitative analysis, modeling, data mining, and programming using tools such as Databricks, Snowflake, SQL, R, Python, and other approved analytics platforms.
Partner with business units, technology, risk, compliance, and governance stakeholders to identify business needs, define analytical approaches, and develop modeling solutions.
Research and Develop quantitative tools and techniques to measure and analyze model risks.
Assess conceptual foundations of a model, model specification, underlying assumptions, limitations, variable selection, underlying data, developmental evidence, documentation.
Interview model developers/vendors and model owners to understand the business context for model use and facilitate the adoption of model risk management standards.
Keep up-to-date with any banking regulations affecting model risk management practices.
Advocate sound quantitative, model development, model monitoring, and AI governance practices.
Propose and execute model validation tests for new and existing models in the inventory.
Assist manager in production of regular and ad-hoc reports on individual and Bank-level model findings for Senior Management and regulators.
Coordinate with model validation team on any changes to the Bank’s model inventory or End user Applications.
Demonstrates compliance with all bank regulations for assigned job function.
Keeps up to date on regulation changes.
Follows all Bank policies and procedures, compliance regulations, and completes all required annual or job-specific training.
Maintain a working knowledge of Bank's written policies and procedures regarding Bank Secrecy Act, Regulation CC, Regulation E, Bank Security and other regulations as applicable.
May be asked to coach, mentor, or train others and teach coursework as subject matter expert.
Actively learns, demonstrates, and fosters the Columbia corporate culture in all actions and words.
Takes personal initiative and is a positive example for others to emulate.
Embraces our vision to become “Business Bank of Choice”
May perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

competitive total rewards package
base wages
comprehensive benefits
comprehensive healthcare coverage (medical, dental, and vision plans)
401(k)-retirement savings plan with employer match for qualifying associate contributions
employee assistance program
life insurance
disability insurance
tuition assistance
mental health resources
identity theft protection
legal support
auto and home insurance
pet insurance
access to an online discount marketplace
paid vacation
sick days
volunteer days
holidays