Manager, Data Science

LendingTree•Charlotte, NC

25d•Hybrid

About The Position

LendingTree is seeking a Manager, Data Science to lead its data science team and shape the technical direction and roadmap for machine learning and AI. The manager will identify high-value opportunities, guide solutions from prototype through production at scale, and ensure models deliver measurable business results. This role combines technical leadership, hands-on guidance, stakeholder partnership, and the development of data science talent. The position is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and requires attendance at the Southend office three days per week. The manager will work closely with engineering, MLOps, product, analytics, platform leaders, and senior business stakeholders to embed data-driven decision-making into LendingTree’s products and operations. Success includes reliably moving models into production with consistent testing, documentation, versioning, and monitoring; prioritizing work with business partners and tying it to measurable outcomes; establishing the team as a trusted partner; and supporting team members’ technical and professional growth.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Statistics, or a related field.
At least 7 years of experience in applied data science, including experience in a leadership or people-management role.
Track record of leading teams through the full machine learning lifecycle, including data preparation, modeling, validation, deployment, and monitoring.
Advanced proficiency in Python, SQL, and data science libraries including NumPy, Pandas, Scikit-learn, PyTorch, and TensorFlow.
Experience with cloud-based machine learning platforms.
Solid understanding of MLOps, reproducibility, and governance practices.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with a history of business impact.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to influence technical and executive audiences.
Legally authorized to work in the United States; employment visa sponsorship is not provided now or in the future.
Ability to attend the Southend office in Charlotte, NC three days per week.

Nice To Haves

PhD in a relevant field.
Experience with AWS SageMaker or Snowpark.
Experience in fintech or other data-rich, high-scale consumer businesses.
Background in software engineering, model deployment, or data platform integration.
Experience managing hybrid teams (on-site and remote).
In-depth knowledge of GenAI and LLM capabilities, ideally including building Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) and agentic workflows.
Curiosity, a collaborative spirit, and a passion for continuous learning.
Comfort in fast-paced, highly ambiguous, cross-functional environments, and a drive to build scalable, responsible, and impactful data science and AI solutions.

Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and develop a team of data scientists, fostering technical excellence, growth, and scientific rigor.
Partner with senior stakeholders to identify and prioritize opportunities where machine learning and AI can deliver value.
Oversee the design, development, and deployment of scalable, reproducible models.
Guide the team through data acquisition, feature engineering, and the full model lifecycle from prototype to production.
Promote best practices in experimentation, modeling, validation, and monitoring.
Raise standards for documentation, testing, versioning, and code review.
Champion explainability, fairness, and reliability in model-driven solutions.
Translate complex analytical findings into clear, actionable insights for technical and business audiences.
Drive alignment across business units so models meet real-world needs.
Set the technical vision and roadmap for the data science team.
Collaborate with engineering, MLOps, product, analytics, platform leaders, and senior business stakeholders.
Build data-driven decision-making into LendingTree’s products and operations and provide hands-on guidance to the team.