Staff Data Scientist

TransUnion • Chicago, IL

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Staff Data Scientist joins TransUnion’s client-facing Financial Services Consulting team and reports to a Senior Manager of Data Science & Analytics. The team provides analytic solutions to clients in the financial services industry and values an entrepreneurial approach. This is a hybrid role requiring work both virtually and in person at an assigned TransUnion office for at least two days per week. Travel is expected 10–20% of the time.

The role leads complex analytics and AI-enabled consulting engagements, from shaping opportunities and designing solutions through model development, evaluation, delivery readiness, and ongoing monitoring. It applies machine learning, statistical modeling, generative AI, and related practices to create practical, scalable solutions that deliver measurable business value. The position also provides technical leadership, supports responsible AI and model governance, and helps establish reusable assets and repeatable delivery practices.

The Staff Data Scientist owns analytics consulting responsibilities for assigned clients, identifies opportunities to test and adopt TransUnion products and services, and partners with Sales, Product, Technology, and vertical support teams. The role communicates insights and recommendations to technical and business audiences, contributes to research and process improvement, and mentors colleagues while helping foster an inclusive, high-performance culture.

Requirements

• Master’s or PhD in statistics, applied mathematics, financial mathematics, computer science, engineering, operations research, or another highly quantitative field; alternatively, a bachelor’s degree in a quantitative field.
• At least 5 years of demonstrated success directly supporting internal or external clients.
• At least 6 years of professional experience performing analytic work; these years may or may not overlap with client-support experience.
• 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.
• Strong analytical, critical, and creative thinking, with demonstrated interest in industries served by TransUnion.
• Analytic experience in industries served by TransUnion is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex analytics and AI-enabled consulting engagements from opportunity shaping and solution design through model development, evaluation, deployment readiness, and ongoing monitoring.
• Translate client needs into practical, scalable solutions that deliver measurable business value.
• Provide hands-on technical guidance in 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 analytics consulting responsibilities for assigned clients and identify opportunities to test and adopt TransUnion analytic products and services.
• Partner with Sales, Product, Technology, and vertical support teams to shape differentiated, data-driven recommendations.
• Present analytic insights, model considerations, risks, and recommendations clearly to internal and external stakeholders with varied technical and business backgrounds.
• Contribute to research and innovation with Data Science & Analytics peers and cross-functional partners, including applied AI, responsible AI, experimentation, and emerging analytic techniques.
• Identify opportunities to improve the quality, efficiency, governance, and scalability of analytics delivery.
• Mentor, coach, and train junior colleagues and peers; clarify expectations, provide constructive feedback, recognize contributions, and support an inclusive, high-performance culture.
• Travel 10–20% of the time.
• Adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment and trustworthiness, work safely, communicate respectfully, and safeguard business operations, confidential and proprietary information, and the company’s reputation.

Benefits

• Day-one eligibility for medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus supplemental plan options.
• Spousal, domestic partner, and eligible dependent coverage on select plans.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.
• Company-paid basic life and AD&D insurance; optional voluntary life and AD&D insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Optional legal plan, pet insurance, and travel accident coverage.
• Adoption assistance, fertility planning coverage, and caregiver support.
• Dependent Care FSA with the possibility of an employer match and a complimentary Care@Work membership.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave with eligibility for a gradual return.
• 401(k) with employer match and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).
• Financial wellness resources and 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 and employee discounts.
• Charitable gift matching and paid volunteer time off, plus corporate volunteer events.
• 24/7 access to professional therapy, coaching, emotional well-being programs, guided meditation, and physical, mental, social, and financial wellness resources.
• Regular, full-time non-sales positions may be eligible for the annual bonus plan; certain positions may also be eligible for long-term incentives and other payments under applicable company guidance and plan documents.

What This Job Offers

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