VP, Model Validation and Validation COE

VP, Model Validation and Validation COE – Synchrony

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The VP, Fraud/GEN AI Validation COE is responsible for performing model validation for all the fraud models and ensuring they meet the related MRM policies, standards, procedures, and regulations (SR 11‑7). In addition, this role establishes and maintains a validation center of excellence to support the model governance team in designing quality‑assurance processes, leading execution across all validations, acting as an incubation center for innovation, providing standardized training and staff development, and improving the model risk professional practice to enhance stakeholder experience.

• Lead the creation and implementation of a comprehensive end‑to‑end governance framework for Generative AI models, establishing standards, procedures, documentation templates, and processes to manage model risks such as hallucination, accuracy, and bias.
• Establish and maintain a quality‑assurance process to thoroughly review and assess validation practices, proactively identifying gaps or improvement opportunities.
• Serve as an incubation center to explore, test, and implement innovative approaches leveraging Generative AI to accelerate and improve model validation processes.
• Support the Model Governance team to improve the 1
  
  LODs model owner experience and bring value‑focused validation practice.

• Accountable for all fraud model risk management and driving project timelines and completion with minimal guidance.
• Supervisory role working with junior reviewers on validation projects.
• Handle escalation of issues and disputes with model owners independently, seeing to remediation, root‑cause analysis, and potential risk acceptance.
• Support regulatory examinations and internal audits of the modeling process and selected model samples.
• Perform other duties and/or special projects as assigned.

• 5+ years of experience in acquisition/transaction fraud model development or model validation in financial services, with experience in CI/CD frameworks preferred.
• Experience with generative AI model validation, framework development, or complex use‑case development.
• Proven experience automating validation processes and reducing cycle times using AutoML, generative AI, and related tools, including the ability to design and build necessary supporting infrastructure.
• Master’s degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, or related quantitative field; or 9+ years of equivalent experience in model development/validation within financial services, banking, or retail.
• 4+ years hands‑on experience with data science and statistical tools such as Python, Spark, Data Lake, AWS Sage Maker, H2O, and SAS.
• 4+ years of machine learning experience, including handling large datasets and trend analysis.
• 4+ years applying US regulatory requirements for Model Risk Management.
• Ability and flexibility to travel for business as required.

• Strong knowledge of Model Risk Management regulatory requirements with a proven track record of compliance delivery.
• Experience in people and project management, including developing actionable plans, executing effectively, and meeting deadline‑driven objectives.
• Familiarity with credit card and consumer finance products and business models.
• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills.

• 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’…