Lead Data Scientist - Hybrid

Manulife/John Hancock; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 127,000 - 236,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision

401(k) with match

Paid time off

Flexible holidays

Job summary

Manulife/John Hancock seeks a Lead Data Scientist to drive advanced analytics and AI for automated underwriting and related business problems in Boston. You will translate complex needs into rigorous analytical approaches and deliver interpretable, scalable solutions with hands‑on execution and team mentorship.

You will partner with underwriting and technology teams, lead end‑to‑end data science projects, and define model evaluation strategies while supporting governance and production

Qualifications

• 8 years of experience applying statistics, machine learning, or predictive analytics to complex business problems.
• Strong knowledge of statistical modeling, machine learning, model evaluation, and experimental design.
• Proficiency in Python or R and SQL, with experience working with large and complex datasets.
• Demonstrated experience developing analytical solutions from concept through production implementation and monitoring.
• Experience leading analytical workstreams and providing technical guidance to other data scientists.
• Solid experience in life insurance underwriting, automated underwriting, risk selection, or related insurance analytics.

Responsibilities

• Partner with underwriting, business, product, and technology stakeholders to identify and prioritize data science opportunities.
• Lead data science projects from problem definition and data exploration through modeling, evaluation, implementation, and enhancement.
• Develop statistical and machine‑learning models using techniques appropriate to the business problem, available data, and intended use.
• Analyze large and complex datasets to identify patterns, generate insights, and support business decisions.
• Define model‑evaluation approaches and ensure solutions are accurate, interpretable, stable, and aligned with business objectives.
• Evaluate new data sources, analytical methods, and third‑party solutions through structured analysis and experimentation.
• Collaborate with data engineers, machine‑learning engineers, software engineers, and technology teams to implement analytical solutions in production.
• Monitor model performance, investigate unexpected outcomes, and recommend improvements as data and business conditions evolve.
• Prepare clear technical documentation to support implementation, validation, governance, and ongoing model management.
• Provide technical direction, review analytical work, and mentor data scientists and other analytical contributors.

Skills

Python

R

SQL

ML & statistics

Data modeling

Education

Bachelor's or advanced degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Actuarial Science, Economics, or related field

Job description

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Lead Data Scientist to develop advanced analytics and AI solutions that improve underwriting decisions, expand automation, and deliver measurable business value. The successful candidate will lead complex analytical work from problem definition through model development, implementation, and ongoing enhancement. This role requires strong data science expertise, solid life insurance underwriting knowledge, and the ability to provide technical direction across projects.

Job Summary

The Lead Data Scientist is responsible for developing and delivering statistical and machine-learning solutions for automated underwriting and related business problems. The role translates complex business needs into rigorous analytical approaches and ensures that solutions are accurate, interpretable, scalable, and practical for business use. This is a hands‑on role that also provides technical direction, reviews analytical work, mentors other data scientists, and communicates recommendations to technical and business stakeholders.

Position Responsibilities

• Partner with underwriting, business, product, and technology stakeholders to identify and prioritize data science opportunities.
• Lead data science projects from problem definition and data exploration through modeling, evaluation, implementation, and enhancement.
• Develop statistical and machine‑learning models using techniques appropriate to the business problem, available data, and intended use.
• Analyze large and complex datasets to identify patterns, generate insights, and support business decisions.
• Define model‑evaluation approaches and ensure solutions are accurate, interpretable, stable, and aligned with business objectives.
• Evaluate new data sources, analytical methods, and third‑party solutions through structured analysis and experimentation.
• Collaborate with data engineers, machine‑learning engineers, software engineers, and technology teams to implement analytical solutions in production.
• Monitor model performance, investigate unexpected outcomes, and recommend improvements as data and business conditions evolve.
• Prepare clear technical documentation to support implementation, validation, governance, and ongoing model management.
• Provide technical direction, review analytical work, and mentor data scientists and other analytical contributors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Actuarial Science, Economics, or a related quantitative field.
• 8 years of experience applying statistics, machine learning, or predictive analytics to complex business problems.
• Strong knowledge of statistical modeling, machine learning, model evaluation, and experimental design.
• Proficiency in Python or R and SQL, with experience working with large and complex datasets.
• Demonstrated experience developing analytical solutions from concept through production implementation and monitoring.
• Experience leading analytical workstreams and providing technical guidance to other data scientists.
• Strong problem‑solving, communication, and technical documentation skills.
• Solid experience in life insurance underwriting, automated underwriting, risk selection, or related insurance analytics.
• Experience with cloud‑based analytics platforms, model governance, external data evaluation, or third‑party model assessment is an asset.
• Familiarity with actuarial concepts, mortality analytics, or an actuarial designation is an asset but not required.

When you join our team:

We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want. We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well‑being and inclusion are more than just words. As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see.

About

Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html.

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy‑related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law. It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact [e-mail].

Location

Boston, Massachusetts

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between $127,330.00 USD - $236,470.00 USD

Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance. The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job‑related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training. If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact [e-mail] for the salary range for your location.

Benefits and Compensation

• Manulife/John Hancock offers eligible employees a wide array of customizable benefits, including health, dental, mental health, vision, short‑and long‑term disability, life and AD&D insurance coverage, adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits, and employee/family assistance plans.
• We also offer eligible employees various retirement savings plans (including pension/401(k) savings plans and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources.
• Our generous paid time off program in the U.S. includes up to 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 150 hours of vacation, and 40 hours of sick time (or more where required by law) each year, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence.

Additional Compensation Details

We use data and analytics technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), and automated processing tools, to analyze and process the information you provide to us or third parties in the application process. For more information, please refer to our personal information collection statement.

Know Your Rights

Family & Medical Leave

Employee Polygraph Protection

Right to Work

E-Verify

Company

John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.)

John Hancock Vision

We’re Manulife. And we’re on a mission to make decisions easier and lives better. Better is what drives us. It’s what inspires us to find new ways to support customers and colleagues in living longer and healthier lives. It’s the reason we’re dedicated to investing in digital innovation and industry-leading AI, and accelerating a sustainable and economically inclusive future. Joining us means you’ll be empowered to learn and grow your career. We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well‑being and inclusion are more than just words. And as part of our global team, you’ll help shape the future you want to see – and discover that better can take you anywhere you want to go. We’re proud of our accomplishments and recognition. Recent awards include: 2026 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award Winner Manulife Named one of Forbes World’s Best Employers 2025 Financial Times World’s Best Employers Asia‑Pacific 2026 We’ve been recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers 2026 #1 Life Insurer for AI Maturity by Evident 2026