Senior Associate, Marketing Data Science

Avant is building a Marketing Analytics team! We are looking for a leader who is passionate about Data Science and its use across the acquisition lifecycle for lending products.  This is a key individual contributor role that will partner very closely with our product, technology and data organization to build solutions for helping find and grow Avant’s customer base.  If you are looking for an opportunity to join a great team where you can be yourself, deepen your skills and experiences, and find new areas of inspiration then consider a career at Avant!

What you’ll do at Avant

• Collaborate with business stakeholders from Product, Data, Technology and Operations to identify, test and implement data science solutions that drive business and customer success.

• Develop and own a roadmap in collaboration with the head of Acquisition and other stakeholders in order to organize and prioritize initiatives.

• Own full-cycle of data science products from ideation and training through deployment into our production environment – including real-time inference – and after sales service. Obsess over machine learning products, iterating rapidly if necessary.

• Lead with innovation researching new sources of data, fair lending assessments and advanced data platforms to continuously improve models that impact Avant’s business outcomes.

• Perform data analysis, feature engineering, model development and apply advanced methods to prepare and develop decisions from data. Develop analytics, prepare and deliver both informational and decision-seeking presentations. 

• Work with Model Risk Management, Legal, Compliance and Internal Audit for model validation and examination.

Why you’re a fit at Avant

• 3+ years of professional experience building statistical and machine learning models (GLM, GLMNET, XGBoost, Random Forest, etc.)

• Experience with building analytical models to solve complex problems. Experience with the full machine learning life cycle including predictive data analytics, including data preprocessing model building, evaluation, implementation and post implementation reviews.

• Experience in shaping the vision for data science/predictive analytics applications

• Experience leading a data science function that has delivered strong value to the business.

• Expert-level knowledge in one or more languages commonly used in data analytics (Python, R, Java, Scala, etc.). Python / R proficiency is strongly preferred.

• Expert-level knowledge in SQL and relational databases.

• Strong ability to communicate complex analyses and concepts to non-technical audiences Within and outside of the organization.

• Strong analytical, problem solving, and critical thinking skills.

• Bachelor's Degree in Business or quantitative field such as Finance, Economics, Physical Sciences, Math, Statistics, Engineering.

• Master's Degree in Business or quantitative fields such as Finance, Economics, Physical Sciences, Math, Statistics, Engineering is a plus.

• FinTech/Consumer Lending domain knowledge in underwriting and account management preferred.

• Experience with BI tools such as Tableau, Databricks, Looker and applications on Azure, AWS and their AI/ML tools preferred.

This role is based on our downtown Chicago Office, located in the Merchandise Mart. We highly value collaboration and our hybrid schedule (M, T, Th in-office) enables flexibility to balance work and individual priorities.

Compensation Range:

The base salary range for this job is USD $115,000 - USD $160,000 / Year

Employees new to Avant typically come in below the midpoint of the pay range. The compensation range is based on the level outlined in the job posting, and compensation decisions are dependent on each applicant's experience, skills and abilities. 

[If an outstanding applicant's experience and skill level is above or below the qualifications outlined in the job posting, we reserve the right to make an offer at a different level than the one listed in this job posting, which may have a different compensation range.]

This role is eligible for additional incentives, including an annual bonus. These rewards are allocated based on level, impact and performance in the role.

Our benefits include:

• Choice of great Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance Plan options

• 401(k) match

• Flexible Time Off

• Flexible Work Environment - (i.e. Mon/Tues/Thurs in-person)

• Generous Paid Parental Leave, Adoption Assistance and Post-parental leave ramp-up program 

• Lunch Allowance (Fooda) and In-office Snacks

• Summer Fridays 

• Fun In-Office and Virtual Social Events

• And who doesn’t love the swag

Check out our Avant Blog!

We believe that a diverse set of backgrounds and experiences helps us create the most innovative solutions for our customers. We invite you to apply to our positions even if you do not meet 100% of the qualifications listed in the description. If you’re passionate about our mission and aligned to our values, we hope you’ll come contribute to our awesome culture.

Why Avant is the place for you:

At Avant, we believe our values make a difference:

Authenticity. We show up to work as our whole selves and make sure others can too.

Collaboration. We can only succeed when we do so as a team.

Problem-Solving. The harder the problem, the more satisfying the solution.

Customer. We are all owners of the customer experience.

Initiative. Plan. Adapt. Get Sh!t Done.

We believe that great ideas come from anyone and anywhere, that everyone is an owner who drives change, and that we have more fun when we work together. We're problem solvers who love collaborating with intelligent and highly-motivated people to reshape the face of digital banking. Avant offers terrific perks and benefits, fun social events with employees who actually like hanging out together, and a flexible growth environment where trying your hand at new projects and being the active owner of your career path is encouraged and supported.