Lead Data Scientist, Data Science Lab (AI)

Guardian Life; New York (NY); On-site; USD 148,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance company seeks a Lead Data Scientist for their Data Science Lab in New York. This role involves managing a team, driving innovation through AI/ML solutions, and delivering strategic insights that impact business goals. Candidates must possess strong leadership skills and a significant background in data science, machine learning, and related technologies. The position includes collaboration with executives and cross-functional teams, focusing on establishing cutting-edge capabilities and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• PhD with 6+ years, Master's with 8+, or Bachelor's with 10+ years in relevant field.
• Hands-on ML modeling experience for 7+ years.
• Extensive experience with deep learning models.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Data Science Lab, driving innovation and strategic direction.
• Manage and mentor a team of data scientists.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for AI-driven solutions.

Skills

Machine Learning

Artificial Intelligence

Deep Learning

Natural Language Processing

Programming in Python

Team Leadership

Data Science Capabilities

Education

PhD in Computer Science or related field

Master's degree in relevant field

Bachelor's degree in related field

Job description

Lead Data Scientist, Data Science Lab

Overview

Guardian is on a transformation journey to evolve into a modern, forward-thinking insurance company committed to enhancing the wellbeing of its customers and their families. As part of the Data & AI team, this role presents a distinctive opportunity to collaborate with the CDAO and the Head of Data Science, actively contributing to Guardian’s ongoing evolution.

Guardian’s Data & AI team spearheads a culture of data insights across Guardian, facilitating the successful realization of our strategic initiatives. Our core activities encompass creating business value from our data and analytic products. Key responsibilities include data lifecycle management, insight development, and data product delivery. We are a team of data analysts, data product owners, data scientists and most importantly, data business leaders. Our solutions and actions are critical to Guardian’s revenue growth, risk management and customer experience.

Guardian created a Data Science Lab (DSL) to reimagine insurance in light of emerging technology, societal shifts, and evolving consumer needs. The DSL will expedite Guardian's transition to data-driven decision making and insight generation, fostering long-term innovation. The DSL will establish rapid testing capabilities for new technology and the translation of pioneering research into practical, enterprise-wide solutions.

In this role as Managing Lead Data Scientist for the DSL, you'll be entrusted with the crucial task of managing the DSL and devising AI strategy for the Data Science team. Your responsibilities will include identifying new AI capabilities, coming up with solutions to scale the Data Science team, leveraging machine learning and artificial intelligence, to drive enterprise-wide innovation across various business lines and Guardian products. You'll collaborate with senior executives on high-impact high-visibility projects to deliver AI/ML solutions that will be market-tested and deployed to make a real difference to risk management and Guardian's overall financial performance. Successful candidates bring expertise in insurance and financial services, a passion for applying cutting-edge ML and AI insights, and the ability to design and implement data science capabilities that foster growth, competitive advantage, and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the Data Science Lab (DSL) by setting strategic direction, driving innovation, and ensuring alignment with Guardian Life’s business goals and digital transformation initiatives.
• Manage and mentor a high-performing team of data scientists, fostering a culture of continuous learning, experimentation, and excellence.
• Monitor developments across the AI and data science community to position Guardian as a leader in responsible and effective AI adoption.
• Report and communicate progress, opportunities, and risks to executive stakeholders, delivering insights and recommendations in a clear, actionable manner.

Innovation & Research

• Stay current with advancements in machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), and industry trends to identify and evaluate emerging capabilities and technologies.
• Collaborate with academic and industry partners to develop and test novel AI/ML methods and approaches.
• Introduce and apply ML/AI innovations to practical, high-impact opportunities across Guardian’s business units.
• Create patentable technologies and methodologies that drive long-term innovation.

AI/ML Development

• Build and lead experimentation efforts to validate the feasibility and impact of new data science techniques in real-world insurance use cases.
• Develop capabilities in Deep Learning, Large Language Models (LLMs), and Generative AI.
• Apply AI/ML to unstructured data sources such as insurance contracts, medical records, sales notes, and customer service logs.
• Deliver solutions that enhance underwriting risk assessment, claims auto-adjudication, and customer servicing.

Operational Excellence

• Establish scalable processes, frameworks, and governance models for efficient and responsible AI/ML development, testing, and deployment.
• Assess and recommend cutting-edge tools, platforms, and technologies to enhance data science workflows and model lifecycle management.
• Actively participate in proof-of-concept evaluations of new data, software, and technologies.

Collaboration & Integration

• Collaborate cross-functionally with business leaders, technology teams, and data professionals to translate business challenges into AI-driven solutions.
• Contribute to the standardization of data science tools, processes, and best practices across the enterprise.
• Function as the data science expert in internal and external meetings, including vendor engagements and industry conferences

You are:

• You are passionate about cutting-edge technology and keen on applying new AI/ML algorithms and approaches.
• You are analytically driven, intellectually curious, and experienced leading the development and implementation of data and analytic solutions to solve challenging business problems.
• You enjoy leading and managing a team of data scientist to crack hard to solve problems with AI/ML and seeing it deployed in-market and generating value for Guardian. You enjoy collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team including data engineers, business analysts, software developers and functional business experts and business leaders.
• You have demonstrated track record of managing data science teams and working with business leaders.

You have:

• PhD with 6+ years of experience, Master's degree with 8+ years of experience, or Bachelor's degree with 10+ years of experience in Computer Science, Engineering, Applied mathematics or related field
• 7+ years of hands-on ML modeling/development experience
• Extensive experience in deep learning models including Large Language Models (LLM) and Natural Language Processing (NLP)
• Hands-on experience with GPU, distributed computing and applying parallelism to ML solutions
• Strong programming skills in Python including PyTorch and/or Tensorflow
• Solid background in algorithms and a range of ML models
• Experience leading team of Data Scientist of four or more
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work and collaborating cross-functionally with Product, Engineering, and other disciplines at both the leadership and hands-on level
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities with superb attention to detail
• Proven leadership in providing technical leadership and mentoring to data scientists and strong management skills with ability to monitor/track performance for enterprise success

Location:

• Three days a week at a Guardian office in New York, NY, Holmdel, NJ, Boston, MA, Stamford, CT, Pittsfield, MA or Bethlehem, PA

Salary Range:

$148,940.00 - $244,685.00

The salary range reflected above is a good faith estimate of base pay for the primary location of the position. The salary for this position ultimately will be determined based on the education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate. In addition to salary, this role may also be eligible for annual, sales, or other incentive compensation.

Our Promise

At Guardian, you’ll have the support and flexibility to achieve your professional and personal goals. Through skill-building, leadership development and philanthropic opportunities, we provide opportunities to build communities and grow your career, surrounded by diverse colleagues with high ethical standards.

Inspire Well-Being

As part of Guardian’s Purpose – to inspire well-being – we are committed to offering contemporary, supportive, flexible, and inclusive benefits and resources to our colleagues. Explore our company benefits at www.guardianlife.com/careers/corporate/benefits . Benefits apply to full-time eligible employees. Interns are not eligible for most Company benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Guardian is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, military or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law.

Accommodations

Guardian is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.Guardian also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants (and employees) to accommodate the individual's known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [e-mail] .

Current Guardian Colleagues: Please apply through the internal Jobs Hub in Workday.