Lead Data Scientist (Hybrid) New Chicago, IL

Enova International, Inc.; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); On-site; USD 106,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) matching

PTO & paid holidays off

Sabbatical program

Summer hours

Paid parental leave

DEI groups

Employee recognition and rewards

Job summary

Enova International, Inc. is seeking a Lead Data Scientist to develop, validate, and enhance credit risk models used for lending decisions. You will lead independent validations, prepare technical reports, and mentor teammates in production-ready modeling and governance.

Strong Python and SQL skills and risk-management knowledge are required. The role requires collaboration with stakeholders, a focus on risk assessment, and contributions to automation and risk strategies in a hybrid in-office

Qualifications

• Experience in developing and validating advanced credit risk models.
• 5+ years of quantitative analysis in the financial services industry and leadership of complex analytical or model validation projects.
• Strong knowledge of statistical models and methodologies used in risk management.
• Advanced Python programming for data analysis.
• Experience with relational databases and SQL.
• Ability to communicate complex quantitative concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and perform model validation of credit risk models.
• Prepare model validation reports and write technical documentation.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to team members in validating and preparing models for production.
• Interact with model stakeholders and business partners to gather information about credit models and risk acceptances and provide effective challenge when appropriate.
• Support model releases to ensure they are quickly and accurately put into production.
• Monitor model performance dashboards, build alerts, and elevate concerns as appropriate.
• Drive improvements to model validation methodologies, processes, and governance practices by leveraging data manipulation, machine learning, and programming skills to enhance automation and develop custom tools.

Skills

Python

SQL

Credit risk models

Model validation

Leadership

Communication

Tools

Relational databases

Job description

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas or take over sponsorship at this time.

About the role:

As a Lead Data Scientist, you will be one of Enova’s most valuable team members. You will develop, enhance and test the company’s models for use in determining the appropriate lending criteria and verification procedures. You will lead and perform independent model validations to evaluate model fit for purpose, conceptual soundness, mathematical theory and assumptions, data/assumptions, and output reasonableness. At times, you may be asked to conduct ad hoc analysis using statistical and financial tools to recommend for risk management, marketing and operational strategies. You will demonstrate the ability to interpret and organize data, and communicate it effectively to cross functional teams, and provide technical guidance and mentorship to other team members to solve business problems, define requirements and support implementation.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and perform model validation of credit risk models
• Prepare model validation reports and write technical documentation
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to team members in validating and preparing models for production
• Interact with model stakeholders and business partners to gather information about credit models and risk acceptances and provide effective challenge when appropriate
• Support model releases to ensure they are quickly and accurately put into production
• Monitor model performance dashboards, build alerts, and elevate concerns as appropriate
• Drive improvements to model validation methodologies, processes, and governance practices by leveraging data manipulation, machine learning, and programming skills to enhance automation and develop custom tools

Requirements:

• Experience in developing and/or independently validating advanced credit risk models
• 5+ years of experience in quantitative analysis in the financial services industry and experience leading complex analytical or model validation projects is preferred
• Strong knowledge of statistical models and methodologies used in risk management
• Advanced programming skills in Python and the ability to write customized programs for meaningful data analysis
• Experience working with relational databases, such as SQL
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical guidance and communicate complex quantitative concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders

Compensation:

The budgeted annual salary range for this position is$106,000 to $140,000. Actual annual salary will be determined based on qualifications, skills, experience, and level assessed during the hiring process and may fall outside of the range shown. Additional compensation for this role may include a bonus. All full-time employees are eligible to participate in Company benefits, described in more detail here .

• 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
• 401(k) matching plus a roth option (U.S. Based employees only)
• 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)
• Employee recognition and rewards program
• Charitable matching and a paid volunteer day…Plus so much more!

About Enova

Enova International is a leading financial technology company that provides online financial services through our AI and machine learning-powered Colossus™platform. We serve non-prime consumers and businesses alike, while offering world-class technology and services to traditional banks—in order to create accessible credit for millions.

Being a values-driven organization is at the core of Enova’s success. We live our values by listening to our customers, challenging assumptions, thinking big, setting high expectations, and hiring and developing the best. Through our values and our commitment to making Enova an awesome place to work, we maintain an environment of inclusion and culture where our employees can thrive. You can learn more about Enova’s values and culture here .

It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all persons and not discriminate in employment decisions by placing the most qualified person in each job, without regard to any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. California Applicants: Click here to review our California Privacy Policy for Job Applicants.