Lead Data Scientist - Hybrid Underwriting AI Leader

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

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