Senior Insurance Data Scientist

Established in 2021, Independence Pet Holdings is a corporate holding company that manages a diverse portfolio of modern pet health brands and services, including insurance, pet education, lost recovery services, and more throughout North America. We believe pet insurance is more than a financial product and build solutions to simplify the pet parenting journey and help improve the well-being of pets. As a leading authority in the pet category, we operate with a full stack of resources, capital, and services to support pet parents. Our multi-brand and omni-channel approach includes our own insurance carrier, insurance brands, and partner brands. Independence American Insurance Company (IAIC), a subsidiary of IPH, has over 50 years of underwriting experience and a history of innovation in the pet insurance industry. IAIC has built a reputation as a trusted and dependable partner.

Job Location: Remote (U.S.) with teams hubs in Chicago, IL | New York, NY | Scottsdale, AZ | Cleveland, OH

About the role

We are seeking a Lead Data Scientist with hands-on experience in P&C or Pet Insurance pricing to join our growing R&D team. This is a senior individual contributor role responsible for leading pricing model development, driving analytical best practices, and serving as a subject matter expert in insurance pricing. You will own projects end-to-end — from scoping to delivery — and balance a portfolio of 2–4 concurrent initiatives across pricing, research, and model enhancement. This role requires someone who can independently run a project to ground, ask the right questions when roadblocks arise, and communicate complex modeling work to both technical and non-technical audiences. You will partner closely with actuarial, product, engineering, and business stakeholders while helping shape the analytical culture of the team.

Responsibilities

• Pricing & Modeling Leadership
  • Develop, refine, and maintain GLM-based pricing models and related regression approaches used for rate setting, segmentation, and performance forecasting.
  • Apply machine learning techniques where appropriate to enhance predictive accuracy and customer behavior insights.
  • Serve as a technical lead on pricing initiatives, ensuring methodological rigor and regulatory awareness.
• End-to-End Project Ownership
  • Take a scoped project and drive it independently to completion, escalating questions or blockers appropriately.
  • Manage a rotating portfolio of 2–4 active projects, including pricing model builds, research initiatives, and support for regulatory filings.
• Data Exploration & Analytical Insight
  • Conduct exploratory data analysis to understand relationships across pricing, conversion, retention, and risk segmentation.
  • Perform advanced root-cause analysis using SQL and statistical techniques to investigate data issues and collaborate with engineering to resolve them.
  • Translate complex analytical findings into clear, actionable insights for leadership across varying technical backgrounds.
• Communication & Influence
  • Present modeling results, assumptions, and recommendations to senior leadership in a way that is accessible and compelling.
  • Become an SME in a key area of insurance pricing, providing guidance to peers, leaders, and cross-functional partners.
• Team Leadership & Mentorship
  • Mentor junior team members and contribute to elevating data science best practices across the organization.
  • Demonstrate flexibility in leading or following depending on project needs, contributing to a collaborative and high-trust team environment.

Requirements

• Graduate degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, Actuarial Science, or related quantitative field and 2+ years of experience in a data science or analytical role OR 4+ years of progressive experience in data science or analytics.
• At least 1 year of experience in P&C or Pet Insurance pricing (rate modeling, GLMs, segmentation, or related actuarial/data science work).
• Strong proficiency in Python and SQL for data manipulation, modeling, and analysis.
• Deep understanding of GLMs, regression modeling, and statistical inference.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with a small, high-impact team.
• Strong problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Snowflake, Databricks, or SQL Server.
• Familiarity with data warehousing concepts.
• Hands-on experience with WTW Radar, Emblem, or Earnix.
• Experience building dashboards in Power BI or similar tools.

Who Thrives Here

This role is ideal for someone who:

• Enjoys owning complex analytical work from start to finish.
• Can balance multiple projects without losing quality or momentum.
• Communicates with clarity, confidence, and humility.
• Wants to grow into a pricing SME and influence decisions across the business.
• Values both leading and following depending on what the project requires.

Benefits

• Comprehensive full medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Basic Life Insurance at no cost to the employee.
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability.
• 12 weeks of 100% paid Parental Leave.
• Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• Retirement savings plan.
• Personal Paid Time Off.
• Paid holidays and company-wide Wellness Day off.
• Paid time off to volunteer at nonprofit organizations.
• Pet-friendly office environment.
• Commuter Benefits.
• Group Pet Insurance.
• On-the-job training and skills development.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).