Data Scientist I

About the Role

We are seeking a Lead Data Scientist to drive advanced risk and financial modeling initiatives that directly influence business performance. This highly visible individual contributor role is suited to a senior-level Data Scientist who can independently lead complex projects, quantify business impact, and communicate technical insights effectively to senior and executive stakeholders. The role focuses on identifying significant financial opportunities, developing and validating predictive and risk models, and delivering measurable business outcomes. Success requires strong expertise in Data Science, quantitative analytics, predictive modeling, and financial risk, along with the ability to support model governance and defend analytical models in regulated environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end Data Science projects from problem definition through implementation.
• Develop, validate, and monitor predictive and risk models using large-scale financial and customer datasets.
• Apply advanced statistical and machine learning techniques, including gradient boosting models.
• Translate model outputs into actionable business recommendations and measurable financial impact.
• Present findings, model performance, and recommendations to senior leadership and executive stakeholders.
• Support model governance activities, audits, and validation reviews.
• Independently own and deliver complex Data Science and modeling projects.
• Mentor and support team members while providing technical leadership within the organization.
• Identify and support opportunities with significant financial and business impact.

Required Qualifications

• 6–8+ years of experience in Data Science, quantitative analytics, or predictive modeling.
• Strong background in finance, credit, or risk modeling within a regulated industry.
• Advanced Python and SQL skills.
• Strong foundation in mathematics, statistics, and predictive modeling.
• Experience building and validating models used for financial or risk-related decision-making.
• Experience presenting technical concepts, analytical findings, and model results to executive audiences.
• Proven ability to independently own and deliver complex projects.
• Experience supporting external audits and defending analytical models.
• Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, Computer Science, Engineering, or another quantitative discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Engineering, or a related quantitative field.
• Credit risk modeling experience.
• Probability of Default (PD) modeling experience.
• Credit loss or loss forecasting model experience.
• Scorecard development experience.
• Payment behavior analytics experience.
• Experience with banking, lending, mortgage, credit card, or credit bureau data.
• Financial impact and