VP, Credit Model Development

Role Summary/Purpose:

Synchrony’s Credit Account Management (ACM) - Model Development role will provide unprecedented opportunities to develop and deliver our future ACM analytics and modeling capabilities and vision.  In this role, you will lead the design, innovation and development  of models risk for customer account management. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing key aspects of model development lifecycle, including internal model development, co-development and review of vendor models, monitoring analysis, validation support, implementation and regulatory responses. We are looking for a candidate who is curious and passionate about developing innovative solutions and has experience in big data environments, computer programming, Python, AWS, Machine Learning (ML), AI/GenAI, etc.  The successful candidate will have excellent communication & project management skills, strong model development experience and good understanding of model risk. The role will be responsible for hands-on model development to support account management and transaction fraud detection models. 

Essential Responsibilities:

• Lead ACM model projects working closely with business leadership, vendors and other key stakeholders
• Identify opportunities to design or enhance models through data, modeling approaches and operational strategies
• Leverage ML/AI techniques to enhance data mining to identify new customer profiles and risk analysis
• Engagement organization and Enterprise Operations Strategic Modeling team
• Identify and test appropriate ACM models for SYF
• Work on data collection, data cleansing, methodology evaluation, model assessment, model development, testing and validation.
• Maintain comprehensive model documentations needed to meet regulatory requirements.
• Analyze datasets in order to find opportunities through data analytics 
• Lead the model monitoring process for ACM models, including root cause drivers of any material shifts in model performance, manage discussions with Model Owners, maintain model change logs
• Manage model approval process with legal/compliance, model validation & development, business user and other governance teams 
• Assist the model sponsor and model owners in providing model technical documentation and responses related to model risk management for internal/ external reviews
• Manage model Inventory & model changes; drive model simplification in business
• Manage audit and validation requests, and develop remediation plan for timely resolution on any issues uncovered through those requests
• Perform other duties and/or special projects as assigned

Qualifications/Requirements:

• 8+ years of experience in marketing/credit/fraud model development or model validation within financial services.
• Master’s degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, or a related quantitative field; or 9+ years of equivalent model development/validation experience in financial services, banking, or retail.
• 4+ years of hands-on experience with data science/statistical tools and environments such as Python, Spark, data lake technologies, AWS SageMaker, H2O, and SAS.
• 4+ years of machine learning/advanced analytics experience, including handling large datasets.
• 4+ years of experience applying U.S. model risk management guidance (e.g. SR 11-7/OCC 2011-12).
• Ability and flexibility to travel for business as required

Desired Characteristics:

• Demonstrated experience building a variety of partner custom models, presenting to client teams/stakeholders, guiding stakeholders through the governance process, and delivering value.
• Demonstrated ability to consult with business leaders, structure ambiguous problems, and deliver measurable outcomes. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, and influencing skills; ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• People leadership and project management experience (formal manager or strong matrix/team lead), including coaching, prioritization, and quality oversight. 
• Experience reducing cycle times through automation (e.g. AutoML, GenAI-assisted workflows), including designing or partnering to build enabling infrastructure. 
• Experience applying CI/CD practices within a model risk management framework.
• Exposure to AWS services such as Amazon SageMaker, Amazon Bedrock, and Amazon Redshift.

Grade/Level: 13

The salary range for this position is 155,000.00 - 260,000.00 USD Annual and is eligible for an annual bonus based on individual and company performance.

Actual compensation offered within the posted salary range will be based upon work experience, skill level or knowledge.

Salaries are adjusted according to market in CA, NY Metro and Seattle.

Our Way of Working:

We’re proud to offer you flexibility. At Synchrony, our way of working allows you to have the option to work from home near one of our Hubs or come into one of our offices. You will be required to commute to our nearest Hub (either virtual or physical) for in-person engagement activities such as weekly business or team meetings, training and culture events. 

*Field Sales and some Commercial team roles may have varied location requirements based upon partner obligations or preferences.

Eligibility Requirements:

• 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’ time in position before they can post.  All internal employees must consistently meet performance expectations and have approval from your manager to post (or the approval of your manager and HR if you don’t meet the time in position or performance expectations).

Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required.  We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. 

Our Commitment:

When you join us, you’ll be part of an inclusive culture where your individual skills, experience, and voice are not only heard – but valued. Together, we’re building a future where we can all belong, connect, and turn ideals into action. More than 50% of our workforce is engaged in our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), where community and passion intersect to offer a safe space to learn and grow.

This starts when you choose to apply for a role at Synchrony. We ensure all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. We’re proud to have an award-winning culture for all. 

Reasonable Accommodation Notice:

• Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.
• If you need special accommodations, please call our Career Support Line so that we can discuss your specific situation. We can be reached at 1-866-301-5627.   Representatives are available from 8am – 5pm Monday to Friday, Central Standard Time

Job Family Group: