Senior Data Scientist

Out-of-scope

Permanent, Full-time.

Location: Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia. This role is eligible for hybrid or remote work, offering flexibility to work from home or in the office from any of the provinces where we operate.

General Accountability

The Senior Data Scientist is an experienced analytics expert who uses their deep understanding of statistical models, machine learning algorithms, and scientific methods to extract insights from large amounts of structured and unstructured data to answer high-priority questions asked by the business and help them make data-driven decisions to deliver better products at SGI. This role applies complex data mining techniques, statistical analysis, and builds prediction systems integrated with the products. This role uses models to test the effectiveness of different courses of action. The Senior Data Scientist creates complex algorithms and runs simulations to drive business results with their data-based insights. This role is expected to handle sensitive or confidential data in adherence to data governance standards and impact decisions at an executive level.

The primary focus of the Senior Data Scientist is to create complex predictive and prescriptive analytical models that enable the business to enhance products and processes. These machine learning models will enable artificial intelligence within the business process to automate decision-making processes. This position is differentiated from the Data Scientist in handling the more complex work in the department. The Senior Data Scientist provides oversight and guidance to the Data Scientist classification.

Key Accountabilities

Note: This section is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities – other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

Machine Learning/Predictive Modeling

• Provides expertise and guidance on advanced analytics in working with stakeholders throughout the organization to identify opportunities for leveraging company data to drive business solutions.

• Leads lines of business and corporate functions on data science requirements.

• Leverages a deep understanding of advanced analytics to identify, evaluate, and recommend data solutions that support evolving business strategies, operations, and processes.

• Mines and analyzes data from company databases to drive optimization and improvement of product development, marketing techniques, and business strategies.

• Uses advanced predictive modeling to increase and optimize customer experiences, revenue generation, workflow decisions, and other business outcomes.

• Develops A/B testing framework to test model quality.

• Coordinates with different functional teams to implement models and monitor outcomes.

• Leads the development of processes and tools to monitor and analyze model performance and data accuracy.

• Develops custom data models and algorithms to apply to data sets.

• Creates automated anomaly detection systems and tracks its performance.

• Identifies business applications of predictive analytics and artificial intelligence/machine learning, collaborates with stakeholders on the feasibility of such models, and provides support in model development and training.

• Conducts advanced analysis to proactively uncover new trends or perspectives on client data and provides findings to the business unit to assist with decision-making based on scientific thinking

• Leads complete advanced analytics project cycle from end to end: idea generation; framing the problem; identifying sources of data; selecting the methodology for the solution; and modeling, deploying, and monitoring the solution.

• Works with Business Insights and Analytics Report Development teams to identify, implement, and monitor the performance of predictive models to execute the business strategy.

Advanced Analytics Support

• Provides mentorship and guidance to Data Scientists within the team, including delegating, monitoring, and reviewing quality of work; providing direction, coaching, and motivating team members; and leading the development of work plans/approach for work led by the Senior Data Scientist.  

• Collaborates with the Business Insights team and lines of business to establish a clear scope of work and prioritization of data science activities.

• Prioritizes and manages data science requests of the business portfolio.

• Leads the assessment of the effectiveness and accuracy of new data sources and data gathering techniques.

• Researches and tests third party sources of information that will improve the company’s data.

• Enhances data collection procedures to include information that is relevant for building analytics systems.

• Researches and evaluates data for the development, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of performance indicators, benchmarking, and opportunities for the business unit.

• Provides information in a clear, relevant format, such as a dashboard, graph, report or presentation, to facilitate and support timely decision-making for operational areas through understanding business needs.

• Consults with Data Engineer to create and improve data assets and pipelines that improve the advanced analytics process.

Leadership

• Actively contributes to and supports a culture of high performing workforce.

• Participates in divisional succession plans, ensuring ongoing professional and career development and supports development in others.

• Supports a culture of leadership and accountability to effectively deliver on strategic and corporate strategies.

• Is actively committed to leadership development across the company, supporting team and workforce readiness through mentoring, training, and developmental opportunities.

Corporate Management

• Enables the success of programs and policies that are in alignment with corporate, strategic, and divisional strategies. 

• Manages risk in area of authority.

• Ensures that the Health, Safety and Emergency Management Policy is applied in area of responsibility.

Education and Experience

• A four-year degree from an accredited post-secondary educational institution in a directly related field of study (e.g., Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, Computer Science). A master's degree would be an asset.

• Working towards or dedication to pursue designations and/or certifications in Data Science (e.g., Certified Specialist in Predictive Analytics [CSPA] designation from the Casualty Actuarial Institute or equivalent).

• Five to Six years of experience in a data science, research, and/or equivalent role.

• Five years of experience in Property and Casualty insurance with superior understanding of the business domain is an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of how to structure a data problem, from framing the right questions to ask, to communicating the results effectively.

• Knowledge of advanced machine learning algorithms and mathematical and statistical concepts and techniques (e.g., clustering, decision tree learning, artificial neural networks) and their real-world advantages and drawbacks.

• Knowledge of relational database structure.

• Skill in using common data science toolkits and statistical programming languages (e.g., R, Python, SAS, SQL) to manipulate data and draw meaningful insights from large datasets.

• Skill in processing high-level and complex requirements from stakeholders to develop the required data extraction program and visualization needed for high-priority projects using industry standard reporting tools.

• Skill in gathering business requirements and transforming these into actionable data at a strategic level.

• Ability to visually present and communicate data, analyses, and findings.

Behavioural Competencies

Leader Level 3 – Applies (Team/Dept)

• Accountability - Provides Direction and Sets Expectations

• Business Acumen - Applies Broader Business Metrics and Understands the Internal and External Environment

• Change Agility - Makes Change Real for Others

• Leadership - Leads the Team

Diversity is a cornerstone of SGI. We believe all candidates should be given the opportunity to fully participate during the recruitment process. If you require an accommodation during the recruitment process, we invite you to submit your accommodation requests to us at [email protected] and we will work through your request with you. All information received will be kept confidential. 

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