Director of Data Science, Telematics

The position.

We believe a large part of building an effective insurance company can be solved with a principled quantitative framework. We are committed to the rigorous development and effective deployment of modern statistical machine learning methods to problems in the insurance industry.

Root is hiring for a Director of Data Science to lead and develop a team of data scientists and data analysts focused on telematics and customer experience. Leading this team, you will manage research to expand Root’s telematics data and UBI models. Further, you will interface with our pricing and underwriting functions to create more effective integrations. You will opportunistically seek ways to use Root’s prevalent telematics connectivity in service of a satisfying policyholder experience, e.g., expeditious claims handling, test drive UX, etc.

The ideal candidate will have the ability to identify & measure new opportunities through rigorous analysis, build frameworks & processes to ensure high quality & valuable data science work products, work with cross-functional stakeholders to gain alignment & ensure a path to deployment, and support the growth & development of their team. You’ll also be willing to roll up your sleeves and work alongside the team to build and test proposed solutions.

What you’ll achieve.

• Lead and develop a team of data scientists
• Provide technical and thought leadership related to telematics and UX
• Identify and prioritize high-ROI work and ensuring a practical path to deployment
• Apply data storytelling, statistical modeling, and machine learning to solve problems in pricing, underwriting, claims, and customer experience
• Influence culture and conventions across the data science organization
• Work cross-functionally with Data Science, Product, and Business Development to determine long-term, strategic investments needed for future company success

What we’re looking for.

• Experience with telematics as an individual contributor and as a team leader
• 5+ years experience working in data science with demonstrable experience in predictive modeling, exploratory data analysis, probabilistic modeling, and productionizing solutions
• 2+ years experience managing a multi-contributor team
• 3+ years experience working in insurance with a keen awareness of insurance fundamentals
• Strong communication and relationship building skills
• A deep foundational understanding of statistical modeling and machine learning
• Strong programming skills with experience using modern packages in Python
• Some economics background is strongly preferred