Principal Data Scientist, Digital Analytics - Norfolk, VA (Hybrid)

We invite you to explore a future with us at PRA Group, a diverse and growing company that has a tangible impact on the global economy.

Position Summary: 

PRA Group is seeking an energetic and passionate data science domain expert to support the Digital Analytics and Marketing Channel. You will help design and lead modeling and analytic strategies. You will play a significant role partnering with other teammates across organizations to better understand and improve the customer journey while evolving the team’s capabilities to further develop impactful communication strategies and drive successful outcomes.
​As a Principal Data Scientist, you will help develop a strategic roadmap collaborating with other parts of the enterprise to meet Digital Analytics’ short and long-term goals as well as uncover behavior that will drive campaign and test. You will lead and focus on best in industry modeling and analytic solutions focusing on digital analytics, text chat and email strategies. You will lead in the development of experimental design (i.e. Machine Learning, AI) as well as data modeling techniques and abilities.

*This is an individual contributor role. 

This is a Hybrid position and requires working onsite in our Norfolk, VA office Tuesday- Thursday with the ability to work from home on Fridays and Mondays.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Actuarial Science, Quantitative Economics or another similar analytical field
• 8-10 years of professional experience in the commercial sector as a Senior or Master level Data Scientist
• Experience with development of experimental design (i.e. Machine Learning, AI) as well as experience with data modeling
• Experience with Campaign Management Systems (SAS Customer Intelligence 360, Adobe Campaign, Salesforce, etc.) a plus
• Strong SQL experience, Python scripting is required, preferably with Scikit/SciPy libraries
• High level analytical problem-solving skills as well as a high level of analytics autonomy
• Strong conceptual thinking and problem-solving skills using data analysis and utilizing excel or other statistical packages.
• Ability to write complex join, union, pivot, common table expression query statements for complex data calculations using time window functions in SQL
• Ability to write and troubleshoot stored procedures in MS SQL server (TSQL and/or PLSQL experience preferred)
• Able to Create, Modify, and Execute SQL Server scheduled jobs & SQL Server stored procedures
• Experience in NPL markets or comparable work experience is a plus

Technical/Functional Skills

• Expert subject matter expertise in data modeling working with SQL, Python and R with Machine Learning and AI
• Strong expertise with data analysis & reporting using Oracle SQL, MS SQL, and other statistical tools. Experience with complex SQL Stored Procedure processes
• Ability to use data to develop and optimize strategies and processes, increase profits, efficiency, quality, or security, and reduce costs
• Strong strategic thinking and exceptional analytical capability
• Strong verbal/written communication skills; Must be able to communicate effectively at all levels across the organization
• Requires sophisticated business acumen in order to successfully translate complex technical topics into business solutions and strategies
• Demonstrated track record of executing change to core business processes through the innovative use of quantitative techniques

Competencies

• Drive and commitment to what is necessary to get the job done efficiently, thoroughly, and professionally
• Innovative. Seeks new and creative ways to approach analytical exercises and development projects.
• Results-oriented. Demonstrates a sense of urgency and accountability for business issues.
• Customer focused. Builds effective relationships with internal partners, including claims, actuarial, underwriting, operations, and information technology

Responsibilities:

• Develop, test, validate, and maintain robust tools using supervised and / or unsupervised techniques through new products and services, customer segments, and competitive strategies
• Collaborate and partner with the Digital stakeholders in support of the Digital vision to grow the digital channel
• Help further a culture of leveraging data and analytics to drive business value
• Review work with leadership and partners on an ongoing basis to calibrate deliverables against expectations
• Identify long-term opportunities within the customer journey through the creation of algorithms and machine learning techniques to achieve company objectives to grow the digital business and solve problems
• Develop strategies to achieve targeted business objectives and implement these strategies and follow through to successful conclusion
• Consult on innovative risk strategies using proprietary systems/data sources to achieve extensive business goals and objectives
• Present complex modeling to decision-makers that maximizes knowledge transfer and bottom-line impact of modeling results
• Advance the department’s capabilities by creating and deploying long term tools to continually evolve the business to create efficiencies in the business
• Identify and assess the value of new data sources and analytical techniques to ensure ongoing competitive advantage
• Remain current on research techniques and state of the art tools
• Work with teams to implement protocols for the efficient capture/maintenance of data from numerous sources to maintain high data quality standards especially customer behavioral and digital marketing data
• Evangelize analytics opportunities of the company with customers and business partners

At PRA Group, we're committed to helping our employees reach their highest potential by offering competitive salaries, bonus structure, proprietary training programs, tuition reimbursement programs, comprehensive healthcare, dental and vision benefits, maternal and paternal leave, holiday pay and PTO, an employee assistance program, and valuable opportunities to establish a long career within our organization.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of age, race, color, sex, gender, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, citizenship, or any other classes recognized by state or local law or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law. We are a drug free workplace.