Lead Data Science Consultant – Customer Excellence, NLP, Machine Learning & Advanced Analytics

Transform Customer Experience Through the Power of Data at arenaflex

At arenaflex, we believe that data is more than numbers — it is the voice of every customer, the signal behind every decision, and the catalyst for meaningful business transformation. We are building a future where advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and human ingenuity come together to redefine what customer excellence truly means. As a recognized leader in our industry, arenaflex has earned its reputation by investing deeply in our people, championing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and cultivating a workplace where bold ideas thrive and career growth is not just encouraged — it is engineered into everything we do.

We are proud to consistently rank among the most sought-after employers in the financial services sector and beyond, celebrated for our unwavering commitment to employee welfare, professional development, and a culture that places people at the center of every strategic decision. At arenaflex, you will not simply join a company — you will join a community of thinkers, builders, and innovators who are reshaping the customer landscape through the intelligent application of data science.

We are currently seeking a visionary Lead Data Science Consultant to join our esteemed Customer Excellence Data and Analytics (CEDA) organization. This is a senior individual contributor role with significant influence, designed for an experienced data scientist who can seamlessly blend deep technical mastery with strategic business consulting. If you are passionate about Natural Language Processing, Machine Learning, Large Language Models, and turning complex data into actionable strategies that move the needle for millions of customers, this is the opportunity you have been waiting for.

About the Role: Lead Data Science Consultant at arenaflex

The Lead Data Science Consultant at arenaflex is a trusted authority within the CEDA organization, responsible for owning the entire analytics development lifecycle — from the earliest stages of data mining and exploratory analysis through to model deployment, validation, and ongoing performance monitoring. In this role, you will mine and analyze vast, complex datasets, architect predictive models using state-of-the-art NLP and Machine Learning techniques, surface critical performance insights, and produce comprehensive documentation that supports both regulatory rigor and organizational learning.

This position is ideal for a seasoned data science professional who thrives on complexity, enjoys translating abstract business problems into concrete analytical solutions, and is motivated by the opportunity to influence strategy at the highest levels of the organization. You will serve as both a hands-on technical expert and a strategic advisor, collaborating across functions and mentoring peers along the way.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Complex, High-Impact Analytics Initiatives: Drive complex, cross-functional projects that leverage advanced analytics, statistical techniques, algorithms, and predictive models to deliver actionable insights, identify trends, and produce strategic recommendations with broad organizational impact.
• Deliver Strategic Recommendations: Build compelling business cases and deliver persuasive, data-driven recommendations in multifaceted situations that require sharp analytical thinking, robust technical skill, and the ability to navigate ambiguity with confidence.
• Consult and Influence Senior Stakeholders: Strategically partner with peers, colleagues, and mid-to-senior level managers to shape strategies and recommendations grounded in rigorous data analysis. You may lead projects, lead project teams, or serve as a peer mentor to less experienced data scientists.
• Design and Execute Advanced Experiments: Design and execute sophisticated analytical experiments and construct innovative statistical models to uncover solutions for complex, abstract business problems spanning multiple domains and use cases.
• Interpret Data and Drive Decisions: Apply advanced analytics, modeling methodologies, and programming expertise to interpret data, recommend solutions to business challenges, and directly influence strategic and operational decisions across the enterprise.
• Provide Thought Leadership: Serve as an internal subject matter expert by consulting with peers on data science best practices, modern methodologies, and emerging tools and technologies that can be leveraged to advance the team's capabilities.
• Communicate Insights with Impact: Translate complex, technical findings into clear, compelling narratives tailored to non-technical audiences across all levels of the organization, ensuring insights drive understanding and action.

Essential Qualifications

• Experience: A minimum of 5+ years of professional data science experience, demonstrated through a combination of work experience, formal training, military service, or advanced education.
• Education: A Master's degree or higher in a quantitative discipline such as mathematics, statistics, engineering, physics, economics, computer science, or a closely related field.

Preferred (Desired) Qualifications

• Technical Fluency: Deep, hands-on proficiency in SAS, Python, and SQL (Teradata), with the ability to write efficient, scalable, and well-documented code.
• Machine Learning Mastery: Extensive applied experience designing, building, and deploying Machine Learning (ML) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) models in real-world business contexts.
• Large Language Model (LLM) Experience: Practical experience working with LLMs — including fine-tuning, prompt engineering, evaluation, or integration into production systems — is highly preferred.
• End-to-End Model Lifecycle: Demonstrated success in the full model development lifecycle, from initial discovery and feature engineering through deployment, monitoring, and ongoing validation.
• Communication Excellence: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to articulate complex technical concepts to diverse, non-technical audiences.
• Model Testing Expertise: Adept at designing and executing comprehensive model testing protocols, including explainability, robustness, fairness, and bias testing.
• Documentation Discipline: Proficient in creating thorough, audit-ready documentation that supports every phase of the model development process.

Additional Job Expectations

• Willingness and ability to travel up to 10% of the time as business needs dictate.
• This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
• Candidates must be able to work on-site in alignment with arenaflex's standard operating model. Remote work is not available for this role.

Posted Locations

• Chandler, AZ
• Minneapolis, MN
• West Des Moines, IA
• Charlotte, NC

Our Chief Operating Office Functions adhere to a defined location strategy; therefore, your candidacy may be determined based on your current location. If you are not presently based in one of the listed locations, you must be willing to commit to relocation within an agreed-upon timeframe.

Skills and Competencies for Success

To thrive as a Lead Data Science Consultant at arenaflex, you will bring a potent blend of technical depth, business acumen, and interpersonal skill. We are looking for professionals who demonstrate:

• Analytical Rigor: A relentless commitment to methodological precision, statistical integrity, and evidence-based reasoning.
• Curiosity and Innovation: An insatiable intellectual curiosity that drives you to explore new techniques, challenge assumptions, and push the boundaries of what is possible with data.
• Business Acumen: The ability to connect analytical outputs to real business outcomes, translating model results into revenue, retention, risk mitigation, or customer satisfaction improvements.
• Collaboration and Influence: A natural ability to build relationships, earn trust, and influence outcomes through expertise rather than authority.
• Adaptability: Comfort operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment where priorities can shift and ambiguity is the norm.
• Mentorship: A genuine desire to elevate those around you by sharing knowledge, reviewing work, and fostering a culture of continuous learning.

Career Growth and Learning Opportunities at arenaflex

At arenaflex, your growth trajectory is limited only by your ambition. We invest heavily in the professional development of our data scientists through:

• Access to cutting-edge tools, platforms, and cloud-based infrastructure that enable you to work on the most challenging problems in the industry.
• Sponsorship for advanced certifications, technical conferences, and continuing education programs in machine learning, AI, and analytics.
• Structured mentorship programs that pair you with senior leaders who are invested in your long-term success.
• Internal mobility programs that empower you to explore new roles, functions, and geographies as your career evolves.
• A culture that celebrates intellectual curiosity and rewards those who challenge the status quo with thoughtful, data-driven insights.

Work Environment and Company Culture at arenaflex

Our culture is the cornerstone of everything we do. At arenaflex, you will find a workplace built on the principles of trust, transparency, and teamwork. We are proud to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion — not as initiatives, but as enduring values that shape who we are and how we operate. Every voice matters here, and every perspective strengthens our collective intelligence.

We believe in the power of balance. Our employees enjoy flexible work arrangements where possible, generous paid time off, parental leave, and a comprehensive suite of wellness programs designed to support your physical, mental, and financial health. Our hybrid and on-site collaboration hubs are designed to foster creativity, connection, and camaraderie — because great work happens when great people come together.

We also hold ourselves to the highest standards of risk management, regulatory compliance, and ethical conduct. Our employees are empowered to make sound risk decisions, escalate issues proactively, and contribute to a culture of integrity that protects our customers and our company.

Compensation, Perks, and Benefits

arenaflex offers a competitive compensation package that includes a strong base salary, performance-based bonuses, and a long-term incentive plan designed to reward sustained impact. Our industry-leading benefits program — known internally as our Total Rewards offering — is built around four pillars: wellness, work-life balance, financial health, and career growth.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Generous retirement savings plans with company matching contributions.
• Paid time off, holidays, and personal days to help you recharge.
• Parental leave and family care support programs.
• Tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment assistance.
• Employee resource groups and inclusion councils.
• Wellness stipends, mental health support, and access to fitness resources.
• Commuter benefits and on-site amenities at our major hubs.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At arenaflex, we believe that a diverse workforce is a stronger workforce. We are committed to building a workplace where every individual — regardless of race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, disability, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic — feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute fully. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

For candidates with disabilities, arenaflex provides reasonable accommodations throughout the application and interview process. To request an accommodation, please contact our talent acquisition team.

Apply Today and Shape the Future of Customer Excellence at arenaflex

If you are a seasoned data science leader ready to make an outsized impact, we invite you to bring your expertise, your curiosity, and your passion to arenaflex. This is more than a job — it is an opportunity to define the next era of customer experience, to mentor the next generation of data scientists, and to leave a lasting mark on an organization that genuinely values your contributions.

Join us, and together we will turn data into decisions, models into momentum, and insights into outcomes that matter. Your next chapter starts here. Apply today to arenaflex and become the data leader you were always meant to be.