Lead Data Science Consultant – Customer Excellence Data & Analytics Strategy Leader at arenaflex

Why arenaflex?

At arenaflex, we believe that a career is more than a job—it’s a journey of continuous growth, purpose, and impact. Recognized as a top workplace for career development, arenaflex consistently ranks among the most admired organizations in the financial services sector. Our commitment to employee well‑being, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is woven into every facet of our culture. From robust wellness programs to a forward‑thinking Total Rewards philosophy, we invest in the health, financial security, and professional aspirations of every team member.

About the Role

arenaflex is seeking a visionary Lead Data Science Consultant to join the Customer Excellence Data and Analytics (CEDA) team. This senior‑level position will own the end‑to‑end analytics lifecycle—mining raw data, crafting predictive models, applying natural language processing (NLP) and advanced machine learning (ML) techniques, and translating complex insights into actionable business strategies. The ideal candidate will blend deep technical expertise with a talent for storytelling, influencing senior stakeholders across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Lead multi‑disciplinary, high‑impact analytics initiatives that span product, risk, marketing, and operations, delivering insights that drive measurable business outcomes.
• Advanced Modeling: Design, develop, and validate predictive and prescriptive models using statistical methods, ML algorithms, and NLP pipelines to solve abstract business problems.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Partner with product managers, risk officers, senior executives, and technology partners to translate data‑driven findings into clear, executable recommendations.
• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: Coach junior data scientists and analysts on best practices, emerging tools, and ethical AI considerations, fostering a culture of continuous learning.
• Experimentation & Innovation: Conduct rigorous A/B tests, simulation studies, and hypothesis‑driven experiments to uncover hidden patterns and new revenue opportunities.
• Documentation & Governance: Produce comprehensive model documentation, validation reports, and explainability artifacts that satisfy internal audit and regulatory standards.
• Stakeholder Communication: Craft compelling visualizations and narratives that make complex analytical results accessible to non‑technical audiences, ensuring alignment and buy‑in.
• Travel & Flexibility: Support occasional travel (up to 10% of the time) to arenaflex hubs for workshops, stakeholder meetings, and on‑site collaborations.

Essential Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of hands‑on data science experience, demonstrated through professional work, advanced training, or relevant academic projects.
• Master’s degree or higher in a quantitative discipline such as Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, Physics, Economics, or Computer Science.
• Proficiency in statistical programming languages and data manipulation tools, specifically SAS, Python, and SQL (Teradata or equivalent).
• Strong foundation in machine learning concepts, model lifecycle management, and performance monitoring.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• Extensive experience with Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques, including text classification, sentiment analysis, and topic modeling.
• Hands‑on work with Large Language Models (LLMs) and transformer‑based architectures; experience fine‑tuning LLMs for domain‑specific tasks is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to take models from discovery through production deployment, including rigorous validation, bias testing, and explainability.
• Exceptional communication skills—ability to distill technical concepts into clear, concise narratives for senior leadership, business partners, and cross‑functional teams.
• Experience designing and executing model testing frameworks that assess robustness, fairness, and regulatory compliance.
• Proficiency in creating thorough documentation that captures model assumptions, data lineage, validation results, and maintenance procedures.

Core Competencies for Success

• Analytical Rigor: Ability to apply statistical thinking, hypothesis testing, and data‑driven reasoning to solve ambiguous business challenges.
• Business Acumen: Understanding of financial services, risk management, and customer experience dynamics to align analytics with strategic goals.
• Collaboration: Proven track record of influencing and partnering with senior stakeholders, fostering trust, and driving consensus.
• Innovation Mindset: Curiosity to explore emerging AI/ML techniques, evaluate their relevance, and pilot new solutions responsibly.
• Ethical Stewardship: Commitment to responsible AI practices, including fairness, transparency, and data privacy.

Career Growth & Learning Opportunities

arenaflex invests heavily in the professional development of its people. As a Lead Data Science Consultant, you will have access to:

• Executive‑level mentorship programs that pair you with senior leaders in analytics, risk, and strategy.
• Sponsored certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Machine Learning, TensorFlow Developer) and tuition reimbursement for advanced degrees.
• Internal hackathons, data challenges, and innovation labs that encourage experimentation and rapid prototyping.
• Opportunities to present at industry conferences, publish whitepapers, and contribute to thought leadership initiatives.
• A clear promotion pathway toward Principal Data Scientist, Analytics Director, or Chief Data Officer roles within arenaflex.

Work Environment & Culture at arenaflex

Our workplaces—located in Chandler, AZ; Minneapolis, MN; West Des Moines, IA; and Charlotte, NC—are designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and well‑being. Key cultural pillars include:

• Inclusion & Belonging: A diverse workforce where every voice is heard, and inclusive policies empower all employees to thrive.
• Wellness First: Comprehensive health plans, mental‑health resources, flexible work‑hours, and wellness stipends that support a balanced lifestyle.
• Community Impact: Volunteer programs, financial literacy initiatives, and sustainability projects that let you give back to the communities we serve.
• Technology‑Driven: State‑of‑the‑art data platforms, cloud infrastructure, and collaborative tools that enable you to focus on solving problems rather than managing infrastructure.

Compensation, Perks & Benefits

arenaflex offers a competitive total rewards package that includes:

• Base salary aligned with market benchmarks for senior data science talent.
• Annual performance bonuses tied to individual and team impact.
• Equity participation opportunities that align your success with the company’s growth.
• Robust health, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents.
• Retirement savings plans with generous employer matching contributions.
• Paid parental leave, flexible PTO, and generous holiday schedules.
• Professional development budget, conference attendance allowances, and internal learning portals.
• On‑site amenities such as fitness centers, healthy cafeterias, and collaborative lounges.

Application Process & Next Steps

If you are ready to lead transformative analytics initiatives, influence strategic decisions, and mentor the next generation of data scientists, we invite you to apply today. Please submit your resume, a cover letter highlighting your most impactful projects, and any relevant portfolio or GitHub links.

arenaflex is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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