Vice President, Data Science

Merrick Bank; South Jordan (UT); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus Target

Medical, Dental, and Vision

401(k) Plan with Company Match

Paid Vacation/Sick Days

Job summary

Merrick Bank seeks a high-visibility executive to lead Consumer Lending Analytics in a role focused on growth and risk-adjusted returns for Recreational Lending. You will head a cross-functional team of data scientists and analysts to optimize credit strategy, pricing, valuations, and recoveries across dealer-partner channels.

The VP will coordinate with finance, legal, compliance, and technology, while potentially working from South Jordan, UT with hybrid/remote options.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field is required.
• 10+ years of experience using data-driven analysis to inform business or product strategy.
• 5+ years of people leadership experience.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to present to C-Suite leadership.
• Proficiency with SQL or a scripting language (e.g., Python, R).
• Experience with credit policy and/or pricing strategies.
• Experience overseeing the development and launch of machine learning models in a lending business.

Responsibilities

• Lead a cross-functional team of data scientists and business analysts.
• Drive improvements across credit strategy, verification strategy, pricing, valuations, collections, and recoveries.
• Align resources across cross-functional teams including finance, legal, compliance, and technology.
• Launch new initiatives that advance business priorities for partners and customers.
• Develop KPIs and financial metrics to manage P&L.
• Oversee data science initiatives such as credit risk underwriting models.

Skills

SQL

Python/R

Leadership

Communication

Credit risk

Data modeling

Regulatory familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Position Summary and Role Impact

The Vice President of Consumer Lending Analytics is a high-visibility executive leadership role that will drive growth and improve risk-adjusted returns for Merrick’s Recreational business. Merrick’s Recreational Lending business offers secured installment loans through our dealer partners for RVs, boats, trailers, and more. The VP will lead a cross-functional team of data scientists and business analysts, including people leaders and individual contributors, to drive improvements across credit strategy, verification strategy, pricing, valuations, collections, and recoveries. The Vice President will align resources across cross-functional teams – including business line partners, finance, legal, compliance, second line credit risk, and technology – and external vendors to launch new initiatives that advance business priorities and needs of both our partners and end customers. Ideally, the qualified candidate will work at the South Jordan, UT location, however a hybrid/remote work model or other locations can be considered based on hiring manager decision and priorities of the role.

Essential Functions

• People Leadership: Lead, motivate, and develop a cross-functional team of people leaders and individual contributors, fostering a culture of high performance, learning and development, and high associate engagement.
• Credit Strategy: Optimize credit policies such as approve/decline criteria, policy limits, verification requirements, and risk model implementations.
• Performance Monitoring and Valuations: Develop, monitor, and interpret key performance indicators (KPIs) and financial metrics to effectively manage the P&L, providing actionable insights that support strategic decision-making.
• Data Science and Modeling: Oversee the roadmap and delivery of data science initiatives (such as credit risk underwriting models) supporting the Consumer Lending businesses.
• Pricing & Product Optimization: Conduct comprehensive, data-driven analyses and market research to identify opportunities for product enhancements, pricing adjustments, and partner/customer experience improvements that improve profitability and market positioning.
• Verification Strategy: Evaluate internal policies and external solutions to improve customer verifications such as income and employment.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Build relationships and partner closely with internal stakeholders — including business line partners, finance, legal, compliance, second line credit risk, and technology — and external vendors to coordinate efforts, share insights, and ensure successful implementation of strategic initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned by senior management. Maintain ethical standards, judgment, and confidentiality in all matters.

Requirements for Success

• Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field (e.g., Business, Economics, Finance, Statistics, Engineering, Math, or Sciences) is required. Ten (10) or more years of experience using data-driven analysis to inform business or product strategy. Five (5) or more years of people leadership experience.
• Knowledge, Skills and Capabilities: Demonstrated track record of success with progressively increasing scope and responsibility. Strong communications skills with the ability to present to C-Suite leadership. Proficiency with SQL or a scripting language (e.g., Python, R). Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools such as Excel and PowerPoint. Proven ability to develop cross-functional relationships and get work done across departments. Previous experience in consumer financial services or fintech industries, particularly with indirect and/or secured lending products. Experience with credit policy and/or pricing strategies. Experience overseeing the development and launch of machine learning models in a lending business. High curiosity and learning agility, with a strong initiative and willingness to roll up one’s sleeves. Familiarity with consumer financial services regulations.
• Compliance with Laws & Regulations: Responsible for developing, documenting, communicating, maintaining, and enforcing effective control system policies and procedures within your area of oversight. Responsible to act in a timely manner to update policies and procedures when changes in operating conditions occur and / or breakdowns or noncompliance with laws and regulations appear. Responsible for complying with all of the Bank’s internal control policies and procedures. Responsible for understanding and complying with all laws and regulations to which the Bank is subject. Responsible for communicating problems in operations, noncompliance with the code of conduct, noncompliance with laws and regulations, policy violations, or illegal acts.

Why join us

We believe in putting people first by supporting our customers, employees and our partners while creating opportunities for everyone to reach their potential. From fostering work-life balance to rewarding good work and innovative ideas, we invest in what matters most, our people. At Merrick Bank, you’ll be part of a collaborative, customer-focused team where you can grow your career while making a meaningful impact.

Employee Value Proposition

Competitive Pay, including a Bonus Target or Variable Pay Incentive Program Benefits Package -Medical, Dental, and Vision (plus much more) 401(k) Plan with Company Match Short- & Long-Term Disability Wellness Programs Group Life and AD&D Insurance Paid Vacation, Sick Days and bank Holidays Employee Engagement Activities including Employee Appreciation Day, DEI Employee Resource Groups, Corporate Social Responsibility, Service Recognition

Equality and Inclusion

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to age, race, color, sex, or gender identity/expression (including pregnancy, childbirth, transgender status, or sexual orientation), religion or creed, ancestry, citizenship, national origin, disability, military or veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

We do not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. Employment decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs. Everyone is welcome here, and we hire based on your ability to do the job, not any protected characteristics.

If you need help or reasonable accommodation during the application or hiring process, please let your TA Partner know.

CardWorks Financial Group is the engine driving financial progress, a diversified consumer finance provider building ethical solutions across credit, lending, and the full customer lifecycle. Advancing finance with purpose, we put people—clients, customers, and colleagues—at the center of everything we do, guided by our CRITICAL values and united as one enterprise across Merrick Bank, CardWorks Servicing, and Carson Smithfield. As your everyday champion, our vertically integrated platform fuels financial progress through access to credit, high yield deposits, flexible merchant payments, and end to end servicing performance—powered by a culture of relentless curiosity, belonging, and growth.