Lead Data Scientist - Strategic Intelligence team

Are you interested in leveraging your data science skills to help derive data driven insights that are used to inform company strategy?  Are you looking for a role that combines data science skills with an opportunity to gain big picture knowledge of NM’s business?   

This is a compelling opportunity for an individual who thrives in a fast-paced and team-oriented environment where strong analytical skills, business acumen, and superior communication skills are critical.  It is a unique opportunity to have meaningful impact on a large scale at a leading financial services firm. 

The Team: 

The Strategic Intelligence team sits within Northwestern Mutual’s Strategy function and is a provider of decision science and business analytics solutions partnering across the enterprise supporting strategic and financial decision-making using data and analytics.  The team works on a large range of strategic, highly visible projects with internal clients including Client Experience, Marketing, Field/Distribution, and many others. 

Our team consists of data science and analytics professionals, with a strong interest in business & finance, creating and deriving analytical insights that transform the way we do business - balancing the art of decision making with science. Our work is often innovative and rapid (delivering solutions in weeks to a few months).  What we build matters and has huge impact. 

The Opportunity: 

We are seeking data science professionals with experience in applying data visualization, decision analysis, and statistical modelling to real world business problems.  This role is a mix of data science (statistical modeling), consulting (problem solving, client interaction) and leadership (leading the development and communication of insights and business implications).  The ideal candidate stays abreast of new analytics technology but can recognize and apply the right techniques when the business challenge you are solving for is less complex. 

If you are motivated by combining statistics and data modeling skills with communication, analytical thinking and problem-solving skills needed to scope, develop, and deliver elegant solutions to complex problems, then this role is for you. 

Primary Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Apply and integrate advanced statistical, mathematical, data mining, predictive modeling and business analysis skills and techniques to discover and identify new insights, predict and prescribe outcomes, advise on turning new insights into actionable opportunities and outcomes, and provide the tracking and measurement of results 
• Identify available internal and external data resources to develop and deliver information solutions, including analytical information 
• Apply creative problem solving and inter-departmental networking to address data and information needs across the enterprise.  
• Share best practices with peers through coaching and mentoring around core methodologies, patterns, standards and processes. 
• Drive innovation by exploring new experimentation methods and statistical techniques that could sharpen or speed up our product decision-making processes 
• Through extensive analysis, discover technology improvement opportunities and will work with other teams to address these opportunities. 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 

• Master's degree in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Operations Research, Computer Science, Econometrics or related field 
• At least 6 years of professional data science or analytics experience to include research and data analysis, experiment design and measurement, or application of statistical research techniques.       
• 5+ years of experience building and deploying predictive models using open source tools (i.e. Python, R)  
• Extensive experience working with data and developing, designing and presenting analytics, including some programming experience and work with multiple databases 
• Expert level knowledge of advanced analytical model development and construction 
• Proven ability to question assumptions, demonstrate relational analysis and integration of all components needed to solve problems 
• Proven ability to build rapport, negotiate, gain the confidence and work successfully with business leaders across the company 
• Proven ability to lead decision making process through idea sharing and consensus building 
• Experience in coaching and mentoring staff members 
• Proven track record in meeting aggressive deadlines 
• Identifying data requirements for analytical needs 
• PhD degree in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Operations Research, Computer Science, Econometrics or related field preferred 
• Cloud technology experience (i.e. GDP, Azure, AWS) preferred 

#LI-Hybrid

Northwestern Mutual pays on a geographic-specific salary structure and placement in the salary range for this position will be determined by a number of factors including the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; the scope, complexity as well as the cost of labor in the market; and other conditions of employment. At Northwestern Mutual, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. Please note that the salary range listed in the posting is the standard pay structure. Positions in certain locations (such as California) may provide an increase on the standard pay structure based on the location. Please click here for additional information relating to location-based pay structures.

We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you work or would be working in California, Colorado, New York City, Washington or outside of a Corporate location, please click here for information pertaining to compensation and benefits.