Lead Data Scientist (Fraud)

Enova; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

PTO & paid holidays off

Sabbatical program (eligible roles)

Summer hours (eligible roles)

Paid parental leave

DEI groups (B.L.A.C.K. @ Enova, HOLA @

Enova

Job summary

Enova is seeking a Lead Data Scientist for its Fraud Analytics team in Chicago. You will develop, deploy, and monitor models and pattern-recognition pipelines to surface emerging fraud trends across lending products, and you’ll collaborate with Fraud Operations to refine features and reduce false positives.

You’ll own models end-to-end—from design through deployment and monitoring—work with Python and SQL on large-scale data, mentor teammates, and translate analysis into strategic business

Qualifications

• Hands-on fraud experience — fraud analytics, fraud strategy, or risk modeling.
• 5+ years of experience in analytics, applied machine learning, or quantitative modeling.
• Advanced Python and SQL; experience owning models end-to-end — design through deployment and monitoring — on large-scale transactional data.
• Track record of translating analysis into business strategy and communicating with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop, deploy, and monitor models and pattern-recognition algorithms to detect emerging and shifting fraud trends across one or more lending products.
• Write Python programs for data analysis and predictive modeling, and query large, complex datasets in SQL.
• Partner with Fraud Operations through the full detection loop, surfacing patterns and refining features to reduce false positives/negatives.
• Communicate findings clearly to cross-functional partners and support implementation.

Skills

Fraud analytics

Leadership

Python

SQL

Machine learning

Data analysis

Stakeholder communication

Job description

• As a Lead Data Scientist on Enova’s Fraud Analytics team, you’ll be the quantitative engine of our fraud prevention effort
• You’ll develop, enhance, and test the models and pattern-recognition pipelines that surface emerging fraud trends across our lending products — then work hand-in-hand with our Fraud Operations team, who investigate the individual applications your models flag
• Their findings (the false positives and false negatives) come back to you to sharpen the identifying characteristics and pivot the approach
• It’s a fast, iterative loop, and you sit at the center of it
• The broader Enova Analytics department consists of 100 quantitative professionals dedicated to using the latest cutting-edge techniques to drive business value: providing customers with access to fast, trustworthy credit while managing risk. Our company-wide, data-driven culture means you spend less time presenting and more time on the fun part: crunching data
• Develop, deploy, and monitor models and pattern-recognition algorithms to detect emerging and shifting fraud trends across one or more lending products
• Write customized programs in Python for meaningful data analysis and predictive modeling, and query large, complex datasets in SQL
• Partner closely with Fraud Operations through the full detection loop — pulling data together, surfacing suspicious patterns, and incorporating their investigation results to refine features and reduce false positives/negatives
• Conduct ad hoc analysis on large, complex datasets to scope new or changing fraud trends and recommend risk, verification, and operational strategies
• Communicate findings clearly to cross-functional partners, provide requirements, and support implementation
• Help improve underwriting and verification processes from a fraud-risk perspective
• Apply AI in production applications to streamline fraud prevention processes
• Manage team members, and help coordinate their work with business priorities

Benefits

• Our hybrid roles require in-office work Tuesday through Thursday, with remote flexibility on Mondays and Fridays. This schedule fosters collaboration, team connection, and strategic planning, enhancing communication and effectiveness to drive results
• Health, dental, and vision insurance including mental health benefits
• PTO & paid holidays off
• Sabbatical program (for eligible roles)
• Summer hours (for eligible roles)
• Paid parental leave
• DEI groups (B.L.A.C.K. @ Enova, HOLA @ Enova, Women @ Enova, Pride @ Enova, South Asians @ Enova, APEX @ Enova, and Parents @ Enova)
• Charitable matching and a paid volunteer day…Plus so much more!
• Employee recognition and rewards program
• 401(k) matching plus a roth option

• Hands-on fraud experience required — fraud analytics, fraud strategy, or risk modeling, ideally in fintech or lending
• Previous leadership experience mentoring teammates, driving team initiatives, and shaping priorities
• 5+ years of experience in analytics, applied machine learning, or quantitative modeling
• Advanced Python and SQL; experience owning models end-to-end — design through deployment and monitoring — on large-scale transactional data
• Track record of translating analysis into business strategy and communicating with senior stakeholders