Senior Data Scientist - Alternative Data & AFS Solutions (Non-Prime Lending)

Company Description

Experian is a global data and technology company, powering opportunities for people and businesses around the world. We help to redefine lending practices, uncover and prevent fraud, simplify healthcare, create marketing solutions, and gain deeper insights into the automotive market, all using our unique combination of data, analytics and software. We also assist millions of people to realize their financial goals and help them save time and money.

We operate across a range of markets, from financial services to healthcare, automotive, agribusiness, insurance, and many more industry segments.

We invest in people and new advanced technologies to unlock the power of data. As a FTSE 100 Index company listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN), we have a team of 22,500 people across 32 countries. Our corporate headquarters are in Dublin, Ireland. Learn more at experianplc.com.

Job Description

We are looking for an experienced Senior Data Scientist to join our Alternative Financial Services (AFS) department, supporting clients in the non‑prime and near‑prime lending markets. You'll design custom analytics, credit strategies, and machine‑learning models using both traditional and alternative data. This is a client‑facing, solution‑oriented role requiring technical depth and the ability to convert complex analyses into practical, applicable recommendations. You will report to the VP of Analytics Product Build, Innovation, and Scores.

You'll have opportunity to:

• Lead custom analytics and modeling engagements from scoping through delivery and ongoing support.
• Develop credit strategies and ML models (underwriting, line assignment, pricing, early warning, collections).
• Engineer features from alternative, transactional, and bureau data (e.g., recency, frequency, volatility, trend, and behavioral metrics).
• Evaluate and integrate third‑party/alternative data sources (sub‑prime bureaus, cash-flow, telco, utility, and specialty data).
• Partner with clients to build end‑to‑end credit strategies that balance approvals, losses, efficiency, and customer experience.
• Deliver clear, executive‑ready insights, documentation, and strategy recommendations.
• Present results directly to risk leaders, analytics teams, and senior client partners.
• Support model implementation, monitoring, stability analysis, and ongoing optimization.
• Work cross‑functionally with Product, Engineering, and Sales to align custom solutions with broader AFS capabilities.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in credit risk analytics, data science, or advanced analytics, with experience in non‑prime or near‑prime lending.
• Hands‑on modeling experience using alternative data.
• Proficiency in Python (Pandas, NumPy, scikit‑learn, XGBoost/LightGBM) for feature engineering, modeling, and analysis.
• Advanced SQL experience working with complex, and imperfect datasets.
• Experience with non‑prime risk dynamics: thin‑file consumers, volatility, fraud risk, early‑default behavior.
• Experience with model evaluation (AUC, KS, lift, bad‑rate curves, stability, PSI).
• Work directly with clients and translate analytics into deployable strategies.
• Explain complex models in clear business terms.
• Background in financial services, alternative lending, FinTech, or specialty finance.
• Experience with AFS data sources (Clarity, FactorTrust, MicroBilt, cash‑flow or specialty bureaus).
• Familiarity with model governance, explainability, and regulatory considerations in non‑prime lending.
• Experience deploying or supporting ML models in production environments.
• Exposure to fraud, identity, or first‑payment‑default (FPD) modeling.
• Experience mentoring junior data scientists or analysts.
• Consult, client delivery, or solution‑oriented project experience.

Additional Information

Benefits/Perks:

• Great compensation package

• Core benefits including medical, dental, vision, and matching 401K

• Flexible work environment, ability to work remote, hybrid or in-office

• Flexible time off including volunteer time off, vacation, sick and 12-paid holidays

• Explore all our exciting benefits here: https://yourexperianbenefits.com/cand-index.html

At Experian, our people and culture set us apart. We're deeply committed to creating an environment where everyone feels they belong and can excel. From inclusion and authenticity to work/life balance, development, wellness, collaboration, and recognition, we focus on what truly matters. Our people-first approach has earned us global recognition: World's Best Workplaces™ 2024 (Fortune Top 25), Great Place To Work™ 2025 in 26 cou