Lead Data Scientist

Vizient, Inc; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 118,000 - 206,000; Full time

Job summary

Vizient, Inc. is seeking a data science leader to develop automated analytics products and deploy advanced AI solutions across healthcare domains. You will lead predictive analytics, ML, generative AI, and agentic AI, translating insights into actionable outcomes to improve clinical, operational, and economic results.

You will guide data scientists and shape technical strategy. You will collaborate with engineering and clients to deploy scalable AI solutions and ensure responsible governance

Qualifications

• 7+ years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning, NLP, generative AI.
• Experience with agentic AI concepts and LLM-based workflows.
• Experience with healthcare data preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of ML, generative AI, and NLP solutions across structured and unstructured data.
• Design agentic AI workflows using LLMs, retrieval systems, APIs, tools, and business rules.
• Build and deploy scalable, automated data science products and reusable assets.
• Apply end-to-end data science workflows from discovery to insight delivery.
• Establish governance, explainability, bias assessment, and responsible AI practices.

Skills

Machine learning

NLP

Generative AI

Agentic AI

Python

SQL

Communication

Education

Advanced degree preferred

Statistics/CS background

Tools

Databricks

Apache Spark

Hadoop

Vector databases

Knowledge graphs

Git

Job description

When you're the best, we're the best. We instill an environment where employees feel engaged, satisfied and able to contribute their unique skills and talents while living and working as their authentic selves. We provide extensive opportunities for personal and professional development, building both employee competence and organizational capability to fuel exceptional performance through an inclusive environment both now and in the future.

Summary

In this role, you will develop automated analytics products and design, implement, and deploy advanced data science solutions across multiple domains to address complex business and client challenges. You will lead predictive analytics, machine learning, generative AI, and agentic AI approaches, translating sophisticated analysis into actionable insights that improve clinical, operational, and economic outcomes. You will guide data scientists, influence technical strategy, and ensure high-quality, scalable, and governed solutions align with organizational objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced machine learning, generative AI, agentic AI, natural language processing, statistical modeling, and unsupervised learning solutions across structured and unstructured data.
• Design agentic AI workflows using large language models, retrieval systems, structured data, APIs, tools, and business rules, including orchestration, routing, escalation, and human approval patterns.
• Build and deploy scalable, automated data science products and reusable analytic assets across multiple projects, domains, and client use cases.
• Apply deep expertise across end-to-end data science workflows, including data discovery, preparation, feature engineering, modeling, validation, and insight delivery.
• Design and optimize retrieval-augmented generation solutions and evaluation frameworks to assess AI performance, accuracy, reliability, safety, latency, cost, and consistency.
• Make key analytical and architectural decisions, establish technical standards, and maintain ownership of solution design and outcomes aligned with strategic business objectives.
• Lead code development and reviews, establish best practices, and mentor data scientists in advanced modeling, software development, and responsible AI.
• Partner with engineering and platform teams to deploy, monitor, and manage the lifecycle of production machine learning, generative AI, and agentic AI solutions.
• Implement responsible AI and model governance practices, including documentation, explainability, bias assessment, validation, risk management, and human-in-the-loop controls.
• Translate complex analytical findings into actionable insights and communicate results effectively to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and clients to integrate advanced analytics and AI solutions into products, workflows, and business processes.
• Evaluate emerging AI technologies, frameworks, and analytical approaches to advance organizational capabilities and improve data science practices.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree preferred.
• Advanced degree in applied mathematics, statistics, computer science, econometrics, or a related field is a plus.
• 7 or more years of relevant experience required.
• Demonstrated expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning, natural language processing, generative AI, and advanced data science methodologies.
• Experience with agentic AI concepts and environments, including LLM-based workflows, tool orchestration, retrieval-augmented generation, autonomous workflows, or human-in-the-loop patterns.
• Expertise in programming languages such as Python, R, SQL, SAS, Java, MATLAB, or similar tools.
• Experience with cloud-based and distributed data platforms and frameworks such as Databricks, Apache Spark, Hadoop, or similar technologies.
• Experience with vector databases, semantic search, knowledge graphs, metadata management, or enterprise search technologies.
• Experience deploying and maintaining machine learning and AI solutions in production environments using strong software engineering and development practices.
• Knowledge of responsible AI, model governance, explainability, bias assessment, validation methodologies, and human oversight practices.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and presentation skills with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences.
• Experience leading complex analytics initiatives, making technical decisions, and mentoring or providing technical guidance to data scientists.
• Experience working with healthcare data, including clinical, claims, operational, or financial datasets preferred.

Estimated Hiring Range

At Vizient, we consider skills, experience, and organizational needs in our compensation approach. Geographic factors may adjust the range estimate and hires typically fall below the top range. Compensation decisions are tailored to individual circumstances. The current salary range for this role is $117,600.00 to $206,000.00. This position is also incentive eligible.

Benefits

Vizient has a comprehensive benefits plan!

Equal Opportunity Employer

Females/Minorities/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The Company is committed to equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, religion, color, gender identity, ethnicity, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability status, veteran status or any other category protected by applicable law.

About Vizient

Working at Vizient means shaping the future of healthcare, every day. Alongside our clients, we're building a healthier, more human healthcare system. We connect people, data, and solutions to enable healthcare organizations to improve financial sustainability, enhance system performance, and deliver better care.

Headquartered in Irving, Texas, with 11 offices across the United States, Vizient has more than 5,000 employees who bring deep expertise and a shared commitment to transforming healthcare. Together, we're solving some of the industry's most complex challenges while creating opportunities to learn, grow, and drive lasting change for healthcare organizations and the communities they serve.

Through our enterprise of companies, we deliver meaningful impact across the continuum of care: APEXUS - The exclusive contractor for 340B Drug Pricing Program, managed by the Health Resources and Services Administration. aptitude - The industry's first online direct contracting market, supporting self-contracting activity between hospitals and suppliers. Kaufman Hall - Leading healthcare advisory services to support our clients in achieving financial, clinical, and operational excellence. Provista - Proven supply chain partner specializing in extended, diagnostic, and preventive care facilities, including surgery centers, home health, and senior living.