Director of Data Science

Principal Financial Group•Raleigh, NC

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

We’re looking for a Director of Data Science to lead our Beam Benefits Decision Science team within our Benefits & Protection insurance space. In this role, you’ll guide a highly technical team working across generative AI, machine learning, predictive modeling, and advanced analytics while helping scale innovative solutions. This is a unique opportunity to combine accelerated innovation and build opportunities with the stability, resources, and scale of an established organization. You'll help shape how emerging AI, machine learning, and advanced modeling capabilities are applied to meaningful business challenges, transforming ideas into scalable, production-ready solutions that drive measurable impact across the enterprise.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree
10+ years professional experience in building machine learning/predictive models (advanced education may be considered in lieu of experience)
Demonstrated expertise in statistics, mathematics, machine learning, optimization, model development, operationalization, scalability, and working with large structured and unstructured datasets
Formal people leadership experience, coaching talent, and building a culture of commitment and accountability
Experience working with modern programming languages, machine learning libraries, big-data technologies, and cloud platforms
Strong technical judgment with the ability to evaluate emerging AI, machine learning, and data science technologies, determine the best approach for a business problem, and guide solutions from concept through production
Passion for continuous learning, experimentation, and staying ahead of rapidly evolving AI and modeling trends, with a practical focus on delivering measurable business outcomes
Strong leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to drive change, navigate ambiguity, and partner across Product Management, Engineering, IT, and business teams to deliver scalable solutions

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or PhD
Experience developing custom generative AI or LLM solutions using APIs, custom prompts or models, MCP servers, and application integrations
Experience in a high-growth or builder-oriented environment where you helped move emerging technology into production
Knowledge of insurance, financial services, group benefits, or another highly regulated industry

Responsibilities

Lead, develop, and support a team of data scientists focused on generative AI research and development, machine learning, predictive modeling, and quantitative techniques
Set the technical direction for the team, staying current on emerging AI and machine learning models, tools, and approaches and determining how they can be applied to real business opportunities
Guide multiple projects from problem definition and model design through validation, deployment, monitoring, and continued enhancement
Oversee the development of custom AI and data science solutions that use structured and unstructured data, APIs, custom prompts and models, and application integrations
Partner with Product Management, Engineering, IT, business operations, and senior leaders to identify high-value opportunities and translate technical capabilities into practical business outcomes
Establish expectations and measures for model performance, production readiness, scalability, adoption, and ongoing business value
Stabilize and strengthen a high-performing team during an important period of growth and integration
Promote a practical, applied approach to data science by prioritizing solutions that can be scaled and used across the business