Lead Data Scientist - Insurance Analytics

Placements24; Amesville (CT); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Retirement plan with employer matching

Stock options

Remote work flexibility

Professional development budget

Collaborative culture

Cutting-edge projects

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Data Scientist to drive advanced analytics for an insurance technology firm. You will lead a team, build predictive models, and shape data-driven strategy from anywhere in the country.

The role requires 7+ years in data science, strong leadership, and expertise in Python/R, ML libraries, and cloud platforms. You will mentor peers, manage data pipelines, and translate complex results for stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• 7+ years of data science experience, with insurance industry background preferred.
• Proven leadership of data science teams and projects.
• Proficiency in Python or R and ML libraries (TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn).
• Strong statistical modeling, ML algorithms, and experimental design.
• Experience with big data (Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and deployment of ML models for insurance use cases (risk, fraud, segmentation).
• Mentor a data science team and foster collaboration.
• Partner with stakeholders to identify data-driven opportunities.
• Build and maintain scalable data pipelines and infrastructure.
• Perform advanced statistical analyses and data mining to uncover insights.
• Communicate findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Stay updated on data science advancements and best practices.
• Champion data governance and best practices.

Skills

Data science leadership

Python / R

Statistical modeling

Machine learning

Big data

Cloud platforms

Communication

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/Statistics/Math

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering insurance technology firm, is seeking an exceptional Lead Data Scientist to spearhead their advanced analytics initiatives from anywhere in the country, with a strong preference for candidates near Rustenburg, North West . This senior position involves leveraging vast datasets to derive actionable insights, build predictive models, and drive strategic decision-making across the organization. You will lead a team of talented data scientists, foster innovation, and play a crucial role in shaping the future of our client's data-driven strategies. The fully remote nature of this role allows access to top talent nationwide. If you are passionate about uncovering complex patterns and influencing business outcomes through data, this is the perfect opportunity. Join us in revolutionizing the insurance landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of sophisticated machine learning models for insurance applications (e.g., risk prediction, fraud detection, customer segmentation).
• Mentor and guide a team of data scientists, providing technical leadership and fostering a collaborative environment.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to identify key opportunities for data-driven solutions.
• Develop and maintain robust data pipelines and infrastructure for large-scale data processing.
• Conduct in-depth statistical analysis and data mining to uncover trends and insights.
• Communicate complex findings and recommendations clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and AI.
• Champion data governance and best practices within the organization.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the company's data science roadmap.
• Perform rigorous model validation and A/B testing to ensure performance and reliability.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• Extensive experience (7+ years) in data science, with a significant portion in the insurance industry.
• Demonstrated experience leading data science teams and projects.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and associated data science libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn).
• Strong expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms, and experimental design.
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Excellent problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to translate business problems into data science solutions.
• Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) is a plus.
• Ability to work effectively in a remote setting, potentially contributing to teams near Rustenburg .

Benefits

• Our client offers an exceptionally competitive salary package, reflecting the senior nature of this role.
• In addition to a strong base salary, you will receive comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, a generous retirement savings plan with employer matching, and substantial stock options.
• We provide a flexible remote work environment, empowering you to work from anywhere in South Africa .
• Continuous learning is encouraged through a dedicated professional development budget for conferences, courses, and certifications.
• The company culture is innovative and highly collaborative, with regular virtual team-building events.
• You’ll have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects that shape the future of insurance analytics, making a tangible impact from your chosen location, potentially close to Rustenburg .