Staff Data Scientist

TransUnion • Chicago, IL

2d • $112,500 - $187,500 • Hybrid

About The Position

This role reports into a Senior Manager of Data Science & Analytics, joining the Financial Services Consulting team. The Financial Services Consulting team at TransUnion is an industry recognized, client-facing department that rewards an entrepreneurial spirit. We have deep technical expertise and an established reputation as an analytic solutions provider in the Financial Services industry. This is a hybrid position and involves regular performance of job responsibilities virtually as well as in-person at an assigned TU office location for a minimum of two days a week.

Requirements

• Master’s or PhD degree in statistics, applied mathematics, financial mathematics, computer science, engineering, operations research, or another highly quantitative field; or a Bachelor’s degree in a quantitative field.
• 5+ years of demonstrated success directly supporting internal or external clients and 6+ years of professional experience performing analytic work, preferably in industries served by TransUnion. These experiences may or may not overlap.
• Advanced programming, data engineering, and applied AI/ML skills, including proficiency with Python and/or R, SQL, cloud-based analytics environments, distributed data platforms, and modern machine learning frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex analytic and AI-enabled solution engagements under limited supervision, including solution design, model development, validation, stakeholder alignment, and delivery coordination.
• Aspiring leadership behaviors, including self-awareness, learning agility, inclusive collaboration, peer coaching, accountability, change leadership, and the ability to motivate and guide others toward successful team outcomes.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with generative AI, large language models, retrieval-augmented generation, agentic workflows, model evaluation, MLOps, model monitoring, and responsible AI/model governance.
• Familiarity with credit bureau data, regulated financial services environments, credit risk lifecycle use cases, fraud, insurance, or digital marketing analytics.
• Experience developing reusable analytic assets, documentation standards, governance artifacts, or scalable consulting delivery processes.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor peers, support onboarding or recruiting activities, and strengthen team culture through feedback, recognition, and inclusive collaboration.
• Evidence of strong analytical, critical, and creative thinking, with demonstrated interest in industries served by TransUnion.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex analytic and AI-enabled consulting engagements from opportunity shaping through solution design, model development, evaluation, deployment readiness, and ongoing monitoring.
• Translate client needs into practical, scalable solutions that deliver measurable business value.
• Provide hands-on guidance across machine learning, statistical modeling, generative AI, large language models, retrieval-augmented generation, agentic workflows, model evaluation, MLOps, monitoring, and responsible AI/model governance.
• Help formalize reusable assets, documentation standards, and repeatable delivery practices.
• Own analytic consulting responsibilities for assigned clients, identify strategies and opportunities to test and adopt TransUnion analytic products and services, and partner with Sales, Product, Technology, and vertical support teams to shape differentiated, data-driven recommendations.
• Deliver analytic insights, model considerations, risks, and recommendations in concise and compelling presentations for internal and external stakeholders across a range of technical and business backgrounds.
• Contribute to research and innovation initiatives in collaboration with DSA peers and cross-functional partners, including applied AI, responsible AI, experimentation, and emerging analytic techniques.
• Identify opportunities to improve quality, efficiency, governance, and scalability of analytic delivery.
• Mentor, coach, and train junior colleagues and peers by sharing expertise, clarifying expectations, providing candid and constructive feedback, recognizing strong contributions, and helping foster an inclusive, high-performance culture.
• Ability to travel 10-20% of the time.

Benefits

• Day-one eligibility for medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus supplemental plan options.
• Spousal, domestic partner, and other eligible dependent coverage is available on select plans.
• Tax‑advantaged HSA and FSA accounts.
• Company‑paid basic life and AD&D.
• Optional voluntary life and AD&D for you and your family.
• Short- and long‑term disability.
• Legal plan.
• Pet insurance.
• Travel accident coverage.
• Adoption assistance.
• Fertility planning coverage.
• Caregiver support.
• Dependent Care FSA for possibility of an employer match.
• Complimentary Care@Work membership.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave with eligibility for a thoughtful, gradual return.
• 401(k) with employer match.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).
• Financial wellness resources.
• Career coaching.
• Optional long‑term care insurance.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Flexible time off for exempt employees or paid time off for nonexempt employees.
• Up to 12 paid holidays per year.
• Commuter benefits.
• Employee discounts.
• Charitable gift matching.
• Paid volunteer time off.
• Corporate volunteer events.
• 24/7 support including professional therapy, coaching, and emotional well‑being programs.
• Guided meditation and resources that support physical, mental, social, and financial wellness.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior