Why join us? 

• Fast Growth and Profitability: OppLoans has grown 1,900+% over the last 3 years and was just named the 219th fastest growing company in the United States by Inc Magazine. We have originated hundreds of thousands of loans and will surpass $100mm of annual revenue in 2018. The company is also profitable. 
• Customers Love Our Product: OppLoans is widely recognized as having the best customer experience in the industry. Don’t trust us? See what our borrowers are saying on Google and the BBB! 
• Employees Love Working Here: Check out our Glassdoor reviews! And named the sixth-best place to work nationally for small- to medium-sized businesses. 
• Check https://www.opploans.com/careers/ for more details. 

The Opportunity:

OppLoans is looking for a Senior Data Scientist/Associate to join the credit risk team. The role involves building and managing predictive models and rules to improve credit default, fraud and marketing performance. The role will work closely with the data, tech and risk teams to extract the data, build models, rules & strategies, and manage/monitor performance. The role also involves mentoring and guiding junior members of the team on their projects. 

The role will involve working directly on several aspects of the lending business - marketing analysis, determining credit underwriting criteria at originations and later in the customer’s lifecycle, developing pricing strategies, optimizing verification strategies, etc. to minimize risk and improve issuance volume.  

What you get to do:

• Develop and implement models & rules using analytical methods like segmentation, predictive models, hypothesis testing, etc.
• Build processes to monitor rules and models in use and measure post implementation impact
• Use data to understand new ways of finding impactful insights from data and develop recommendations 
• Design and execute tests to validate hypotheses on risk, response, conversion during the origination process
• Work on understanding new data sources in combination with existing data sources
• Collaborate with cross-functional business partners on new initiatives, project requests, prioritization and delivery
• Communicate strategies/proposals/solutions to key stakeholders
• Mentor, guide and lead junior members of the team on various data projects. 
• Have fun, learn and develop your skills

Apply if you have:

• Passion for data. We’ve built our company on a foundation of testing and observation, and require real data to make decisions. 
• Natural curiosity. In the world of big-data, new sources become available every day. Our team members are always exploring for new relationships to help us serve our customers. 
• Drive for real business outcomes. Our team members, beginning at the analyst-level, own their business outcomes, with responsibility from investigation through implementation.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's (or higher) degree in computer science/engineering, mathematics, statistics, finance or other quantitative field
• Prior experience in statistics and machine learning modeling techniques. Prefer expertise in machine learning theories and practices, including regression models, GLM, SVM and tree based models (e.g. Boosting, Random Forest)
• Expertise in at least one statistical programming language, preferably R and relational databases such as PostgreSQL
• Good coding skills and good familiarity with scripting.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow through, and see projects through completion
• 2-3 years of professional work experience, preferably with an online lending institution or bank
• Team player, good communication and presentation skills 

Benefits/Perks: 

• Fully stocked kitchen with healthy snacks & drinks available. 
• Subsidized daily lunches. 
• CTA & Metra benefit program. 
• Free gym membership. 
• Free shuttle passes to Metra stations. 
• Casual dress policy. 
• Discounted Divvy memberships. 
• 401(k) match program. 
• Free OppLoans apparel. 
• Competitive salary and benefits package. 
• Fun, fast-paced work environment. 
• Employee and peer recognition program. 
• Dynamic start-up culture and environment. 
• Ability to make an immediate impact in a growth stage company. 
• Flexible paid vacation policy. 
• Free health benefit options. 
• Intramural sports leagues. 
• Weekly office events (happy hours, massages, game nights, private yoga sessions, catered breakfasts, etc.). 
• Convenient downtown Chicago office located in the heart of the city. 
• Awesome panoramic office view of Millennium Park and Lake Michigan, with rooftop access. 
• Equal opportunity employer.