Lead Data Scientist

About BlueLabs
BlueLabs is a leading provider of analytics services and technology dedicated to helping our partners do the most good with their data. Our team of analysts, scientists, engineers, and strategists hail from diverse backgrounds yet share a passion for using data to solve the world’s greatest social and analytical challenges. Since our inception we’ve worked with more than 400 organizations ranging from government agencies, advocacy groups, unions, political campaigns, and international groups. In addition, we service an ever-expanding portfolio of commercial clients in the automotive, travel, CPG, entertainment, healthcare, media, and telecom industries. Along the way, we’ve developed some of the most innovative tools available in analytics, media optimization, reporting, and influencer outreach.
 
About the Team:
The BlueLabs Data Science Team develops deep expertise and uses data to inform strategic advice to our clients. Our polling work designs, implements, and fields tools that power our analysis and messaging. We take a deep dive into research that looks at what motivates people to vote, buy a product, hold an opinion, and whether campaigns are successful. Our statistical research identifies areas where we can better assess the impact of various factors in the campaign and polling areas. Our fast-paced, impact-driven team conducts innovative analysis to support our clients’ work. We bring definition to challenging problems, creatively identify data sources, then design analytics that accurately measure impact and move the needle every day. We work in changing, ambiguous environments, so we embrace nuance, inclusivity, and complexity to deliver programs that work for the diverse groups of individuals who rely on us.

About the Role:
Data Scientists use a combination of statistics, programming, and domain knowledge to solve problems, ranging from customized solutions for specific clients to creating the methodological backbone for our general purpose products. They have strong technical skills and are also creative thinkers who are always looking to innovate and deliver value to our clients. They aren’t afraid of messy data, and are comfortable working in a fast paced, production-oriented environment. Our team members receive strong mentorship and are given a chance to complete projects independently.  The Lead Data Scientist is both a subject matter expert and a team leader. This position reports to the VP, Data Science and manages a team of Data Analysts and Data Scientists.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead the design, implementation, and delivery of analytics products and services
• Own the predictive modeling process from ingestion to deployment
• Design and evaluate longitudinal experiments and make recommendations based on the findings
• Manage a team of data scientists and analysts using your background and experience and help others grow
• Ensure the data and modeling results meet requirements for quality and work with the team to clean, transform, aggregate, and report on data as needed
• Collaborate with engineers, data scientists, program managers and external stakeholders to troubleshoot problems and proactively create solutions
• Lead research development projects and data science project plans for clients and internal initiatives
• Ensure team excellence by documenting processes and evangelizing new approaches
• Work both independently and as part of a team to deliver accurate products on short deadlines

Who You Are:

• You have a proven track record using data-driven solutions to improve social outcomes - and bring a multidisciplinary approach to doing so.
• You have experience that mastered a variety of skills: whether thinking strategically about how to develop an enduring process, digging deep into a complex data analysis, or putting yourself in the shoes of an end-user to answer a question they didn’t know they had - you’re comfortable thinking from a number of different perspectives
• You are able to anticipate questions from your stakeholders while remaining objective in how you approach their unique challenges. You are experienced deriving value from imperfect data, but also know when to push the emergency stop button. 

What We Are Seeking:

• 3+ years working in a quantitative production environment or a postgraduate degree in a quantitative field
• Experience with and ability to apply knowledge of foundations of statistics and modeling (distributions, parameter estimation, confidence intervals and tests, etc.) both in your own work, and in the ability to guide others
• Experience with experimental design and causal inference
• Advanced understanding of a statistical programming language, preferably R or Python
• Expertise building predictive models using regression and machine learning techniques
  Ability to manipulate data with SQL
• Proven experience creating analytics output within a production-oriented team
• Ability to effectively communicate and present technical concepts to a non-technical audience, both in writing and verbally
• Experience creating and delivering informative and engaging data visualizations using industry leading tools
• Leadership competencies in the following: empathy, active listening, coaching/feedback, integrity, decisiveness, and problem solving
• In order to be qualified for this position you must currently have or be able to obtain and maintain a Federal Public Trust security clearance, which requires either US Citizenship or three (3) of five (5) years of US residency

What We Offer:
BlueLabs offers a friendly work environment and competitive benefits package including:

• Salary: $105,000-$120,000
• Premier health insurance plans
• 401K matching
• Unlimited vacation and sick leave
• Paid volunteer leave
• 13 paid holidays
• 15 weeks paid parental leave
• Professional development stipend & tuition reimbursement
• Macbook Pro laptop & tech accessories
• Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) stipend for mobile device
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Supportive & collaborative culture
• Flexible working hours
• Remote friendly (within the U.S.)
• Pre-tax transportation options for commuting to our office in Washington, DC
• Lunches and snacks
• And more! 

While we have an office in Washington, DC, we are open to considering candidates from within the U.S.

To protect the health and safety of our workforce, as a company policy, BlueLabs strongly encourages all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to beginning employment. BlueLabs adheres to all federal, state and local COVID-19 vaccination regulations. Except where prohibited by law, applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment will be required to produce proof of vaccination status prior to their first day of employment; if not the offer may be rescinded or employment terminated. BlueLabs will evaluate requests for reasonable accommodations for applicants unable to be vaccinated due to a religious belief, disability or pregnancy on an individualized basis in accordance with applicable laws.

At BlueLabs, we celebrate, support and thrive on differences. Not only do they benefit our services, products, and community, but most importantly, they are to the benefit of our team. Qualified people of all races, ethnicities, ages, sex, genders, sexual orientations, national origins, gender identities, marital status, religions, veterans statuses, disabilities and any other protected classes are strongly encouraged to apply. As an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer, BlueLabs is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. BlueLabs endeavors to make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of qualified applicants with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If an applicant believes they require such assistance to complete the application or to participate in an interview, or has any questions or concerns, they should contact the Director, People Operations.  BlueLabs participates in E-verify. EEO is the Law (Link to external DOL site).

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