Director of Data Science

Key Skills

Azure, Data science techniques, Effective communication skills, Machine learning techniques, Microsoft Office suites, Python Programming, R Programming, SAS, Stata

Job Description

Why should you join our team?

American AgCredit offers a unique opportunity to be a part of a national financial system supporting those who feed, clothe and fuel the world. We are a growing organization embracing collaboration and innovation while delivering transformative solutions. American AgCredit provides a cultivating environment where you truly make a difference for our customers and teams.

Benefits offered by American AgCredit:

• Commitment to agriculture and the communities we serve
• Family friendly work environment
• Investment in employee development
• Medical, Dental and Vision coverage
• Outstanding 401k – automatic 3% employer contribution, plus match up to 6%
• Generous Paid Time Off (Vacation accrued at 26 days annually, Sick Days accrued at 15 days annually, 12 paid holidays, plus 16 hours of volunteer time)
• Competitive Incentive Compensation Plan
• Disability & Life Insurance
• Employee mental, physical, and financial wellness programs

BASIC FUNCTION:

The Director of Data Science provides strategic input, leads, and coordinates the Association’s data science and machine learning efforts to deliver meaningful data-driven business insights and improved decision making. Oversees and manages the Data Science team responsible for developing, testing, and, when applicable, operationalizing advanced analytic solutions to support the Association’s data-driven strategy. The Director of Data Science will lead and organize special studies on identified opportunities as well as targeted portfolio risks to apply quantitative and optimization techniques to solve highly complex work critical to improving business performance. This role requires strong leadership skills, robust and creative problem-solving skills, as well as strategic thinking to enable the generation of the most effective analytics solutions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Provide thought leadership and initiate projects to build solutions, abilities, and, most crucially, enable a culture that acts on the information gleaned from data to better serve AAC’s customers and employees.
• Organize and facilitate meetings with stakeholders and business leaders across the organization to develop models which glean deep insights from data and/ or automate decisions within AAC’s business processes to enable data driven decisions.
• Oversee the Association’s statistical computing and multi-persona data science and machine learning (DSML) environments to ensure they are well organized, up to date, and provides user access in accordance with the Association’s Information Security policy. 
• Responsible for ensuring quantitative analytic needs are met in a timely fashion with accurate data provided in a way that best meets the needs of the business. 
• Implement and maintain best practice processes enabling sound development, efficient delivery, and proper maintenance of analytic models.
• Work closely with the Director of Enterprise Data Stewardship to ensure any data quality issues are investigated and resolved in a timely manner.
• Ensure change management records are maintained for the Association’s statistical computing and DSML environments.
• Provide leadership on advanced analytics related requests and projects, providing expertise in data science capabilities and data availability. Coordinate with project team(s) to ensure all advanced analytics needs are met. 
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of analytics technology applications. Inform management of trends and make recommendations of new initiatives. 
• Provide thought leadership and play a supporting role in AAC’s data literacy efforts.
• Supervises the daily workflow of the Data Scientist(s).
• Perform other functions as assigned.

LEVELS OF SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVED:

Supervises Data Scientist(s) within the Strategy department and provides oversight to designated citizen data scientists in other departments. Works under the general direction of the Head of Data Management & Analytics.

TYPICAL EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in statistics, economics, computer science, mathematics, or equivalent. PhD preferred.
• Five to Seven years progressively responsible experience in Risk Modeling, Scorecard development, and/or Data Science; preferably in the financial services industry.
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate, prioritize and recommend analytic solutions for a variety of business use cases.
• Intermediate to advanced experience analyzing a variety of data sources (structured, unstructured, and imagery datasets).
• Mastery of several statistical techniques including regression analysis, decision trees, evaluating model performance, and stochastic processes. Advanced proficiency with at least one major statistical computing environment (R, SAS, Stata, Python, etc.).
• Expertise with several machine learning techniques. Experience with at least one major multi-persona data science and machine learning (DSML) platform required (i.e. DataRobot, Azure, etc.)
• Proven ability to lead the analysis of large or complex data sets and drive change based on the results of the analysis.
• Excellent organizational, multitasking, and problem-solving skills.
• Effectively communicates complex information with both internal and external contacts at a variety of organizational levels.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Thorough working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite. Knowledge of ad hoc reporting and analytics tools. Ability to learn and adapt to changing technology. 

ESSENTIAL JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Must have the ability to perform basic office tasks and work in a typical office setting. Employee will be sitting for extended periods of time and accomplishing work at a desk and work at a computer for an extended period. Must have strong written and verbal communication skills to adequately convey ideas and work well with a team. Ability to talk and hear, sit and use their hands and fingers, and reach in all directions is essential in performance of the job. Some lifting and moving of items up to 25 pounds required. Work during established business hours and may require occasional weekend and/or evening work. Travel required.

FULL-TIME REMOTE:

These roles and job functions can be done remotely, while maintaining our strong commitment to customer service and our business goals. Employees are welcome to come to an office to work if needed, and some travel for team meetings will be required.

PAY RANGE:

Minimum - $143,900.00 Max - $207,200.00

This range is reflective of the national salary average for this position and will be adjusted using geographic variance for physical location of the hired candidate. American AgCredit may compensate outside of the salary range for bona fide reasons not related to membership in a protected class.

All hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or transfer visas for applicants.

American AgCredit provides equal opportunity in employment to all employees and applicants. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, alienage or citizenship status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, genetic information, medical condition, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, military service or veteran status, victims of domestic violence, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. American AgCredit prohibits harassment of any individuals on any of the bases listed above.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at jobs@agloan.com.