Director, Data Science
Position Summary and Role Impact
The Director, Data Science – Competitive Intelligence, AI Insights & Strategic Analytics is a highly visible leadership role responsible for transforming internal, external, structured, and unstructured data into actionable business intelligence, competitive insights, and strategic recommendations. This role sits at the intersection of analytics, risk, strategy, technology, and market intelligence, leading the development of enterprise reporting, competitor benchmarking, AI-driven intelligence solutions, and executive decision support capabilities across CardWorks Financial Group.
This position combines advanced analytics, machine learning, Generative AI, competitive intelligence, and industry research to identify growth opportunities, anticipate market movements, evaluate competitor performance, monitor emerging risks, and support strategic decision-making. The role serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, business unit leaders, risk management, regulators, auditors, and board stakeholders by delivering data-driven insights that influence business strategy, portfolio performance, and market positioning.
The successful candidate will champion an AI-first and market-first mindset, leveraging machine learning, Large Language Models (LLMs), Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and AI-powered automation to accelerate intelligence gathering, uncover hidden opportunities, and create sustainable competitive advantage. This leader will also drive the build-out of enterprise analytics capabilities, including KPI reporting, portfolio performance measurement, market intelligence platforms, competitor monitoring solutions, and executive AI copilots.
Essential Functions
Lead the development and delivery of enterprise reporting, executive dashboards, KPI scorecards, portfolio analytics, competitor benchmarking, and strategic business insights.
Conduct in-depth analysis of industry trends, competitive dynamics, emerging technologies, market opportunities, and regulatory developments affecting the consumer lending, credit card, banking, payments, and fintech industries.
Apply advanced statistical techniques, machine learning models, and predictive analytics to identify patterns, forecast market changes, and support strategic business decisions.
Design and implement AI-powered market intelligence and competitive research solutions that automate the collection, synthesis, and interpretation of market data.
Utilize Large Language Models (LLMs) to analyze and summarize earnings calls, SEC filings, analyst reports, press releases, industry publications, and competitor disclosures.
Develop Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) solutions and AI agents that enable continuous monitoring of competitor activity, customer trends, market signals, and regulatory developments.
Build executive AI copilots that support strategic planning, competitive analysis, and business decision-making.
Integrate external market, economic, customer, and industry datasets with internal business performance data to generate comprehensive insights.
Analyze portfolio performance across lending products, identifying opportunities related to growth, profitability, customer behavior, risk management, and operational efficiency.
Partner with business, product, marketing, digital, risk, technology, and finance leaders to translate analytical findings into actionable business recommendations.
Support board presentations, regulatory requests, audit reviews, second-line risk reviews, and executive strategic initiatives through rigorous analysis and communication.
Prepare audit-ready analyses and documentation to support regulatory, compliance, and governance requirements.
Present complex analytical findings and strategic recommendations to executive leadership in a clear, concise, and compelling manner.
Foster a culture of innovation, analytics excellence, data-driven decision-making, and AI adoption across the organization.
Requirements for Success
Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Computer Science, Data Science, Business Analytics, Financial Engineering, or related quantitative discipline required; Master's degree preferred.
Experience: 5+ years of experience in Business Analytics, Data Science, Competitive Intelligence, Market Research, Strategy Analytics, Risk Analytics, or related analytical roles. Experience within Financial Services, Consumer Lending, Credit Cards, Banking, Payments, or FinTech industries required.
Skills: Strong understanding of lending economics, including interest income, interchange, fees, charge-offs, delinquency, portfolio performance, and risk management frameworks. Proven experience applying machine learning, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics to solve business problems and generate strategic insights. Experience working with Generative AI, LLMs, RAG architectures, AI agents, and market intelligence automation solutions preferred. Strong proficiency in SQL, Python, Snowflake, AWS, and modern analytics platforms. Experience with Power BI, PowerPoint, SAS, R, or similar analytical and visualization tools preferred.
Other: Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical findings and strategic recommendations to executive leadership, regulators, auditors, and non-technical stakeholders. Highly analytical self-starter with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment.
Leadership Competencies
AI-first and market-first mindset.
Strategic thinker with strong business acumen.
Executive presence and storytelling capability.
Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
Curious-driven approach to problem solving and innovation.
Ability to challenge assumptions with data and evidence.
Commitment to driving measurable business outcomes through analytics and intelligence.
Company Information
Merrick Bank: The bank that builds
CardWorks Servicing: One partner, total performance
Carson Smithfield: Resolution with respect
Nearly 40 years of operating history, solid track record in disciplined downturns and accelerated recovery
Top three non-prime focused general purpose card issuer and top fifteen U.S. merchant acquirer
Disciplined approach in complex markets, serving roughly five million cardmembers and more than 100,000 merchant customers
Provides credit cards, recreational loans, deposit accounts, merchant services, and bank sponsorships to consumers and businesses
Founded in 1997, Merrick Bank is an FDIC®-insured financial institution headquartered in South Jordan, Utah, with over $10 billion in assets
CardWorks Servicing, LLC: End-to-end operational servicing functions for credit cards, secured cards, and installment loans
Services consumer and small business loans across the credit spectrum and offers backup servicing and due diligence services to capital providers and trustees
Founded in 1997, Merrick Bank is an FDIC®-insured financial institution headquartered in South Jordan, Utah, with over $10 billion in assets
Carson Smithfield, LLC: Provides a variety of post-charge-off debt recovery services, including digital self-service, IVR, live agent, and external agency management
Competitive Pay, including a Bonus Target or Variable Pay Incentive Program
Benefits Package - Medical, Dental, and Vision (plus much more)
401(k) Plan with Company Match
Short- & Long-Term Disability
Wellness Programs
Group Life and AD&D Insurance
Paid Vacation, Sick Days and bank Holidays
Employee Engagement Activities including Employee Appreciation Day, DEI Employee Resource Groups, Corporate Social Responsibility, Service Recognition
We offer a total rewards package comprised of a competitive base rate of pay, variable pay incentive programs based on the role, and a comprehensive benefit suite.
Offered rates of pay are determined based on job-related knowledge, relevant experience, skills, certifications, and geographic location.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to age, race, color, sex, or gender identity/expression (including pregnancy, childbirth, transgender status, or sexual orientation), religion or creed, ancestry, citizenship, national origin, disability, military or veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We do not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.