Director, Data Science

We are hiring a Director of Data Science to design, build, and deliver advanced measurement and analytics across a portfolio of analytics-engaged clients. This is a senior, hands-on role spanning the full breadth of modern marketing measurement including marketing mix modeling, multi-touch attribution, incrementality and lift studies, clean rooms, creative effectiveness analysis, diminishing returns, and custom tools designed to fit each client question.

You will select the right methodology for each engagement, build production-quality solutions in Python, and use AI-assisted workflows (Claude, MCP, Snowflake Cortex) to multiply analytical throughput. The role offers opportunity to grow into team leadership over time as the discipline expands.

Measurement & Modeling

• Design, build, and validate measurement solutions across a wide range of approaches — marketing mix modeling, multi-touch attribution, incrementality and lift testing, causal inference, geo experimentation, creative effectiveness, and related methods
• Operate across both proprietary and open-source methodologies; select the right approach for each client question
• Stand up clean room and privacy-preserving measurement workflows (Snowflake Data Clean Rooms, Amazon Marketing Cloud, Google Ads Data Hub, or comparable), and structure Match-Market Tests (MMTs) and Brand Lift Studies (BLS) where they fit the client question
• Build custom analytical tools when platform solutions fall short, including:
  • Creative effectiveness analysis — wear-in/wear-out, attention metrics, creative tagging
  • Diminishing returns curves, budget optimization, and scenario planning
  • Custom causal inference designs — incrementality, geo holdouts, synthetic controls
  • Audience, channel, and creative mix analyses, and productionized tools that support the broader Analytics team

Client Partnership

• Serve as a senior analytical presence in client relationships, supporting the Analytics team in translating complex model outputs into clear strategic recommendations
• Participate in QBRs, measurement planning sessions, and executive-level presentations
• Collaborate with media strategy, planning, and activation teams to ensure measurement is embedded in the planning cycle, not bolted on

Practice Development

• Define and uphold standards for data science methodology, tooling, documentation, and QA
• Evaluate off-the-shelf platforms for fit and develop custom solutions where appropriate, balancing modeling velocity with methodological quality
• Share methodology and modeling expertise across the broader Data & Analytics team; contribute to a culture of analytical rigor and intellectual curiosity
• Stay current on the measurement landscape and bring forward-looking POVs on platform changes, signal loss, and evolving best practices

• Hands-on track record across multiple advanced measurement methodologies, including MMM, attribution, incrementality, causal inference, creative effectiveness, clean rooms, and emerging methods
• Proficiency in statistical modeling and a working understanding of Bayesian and frequentist approaches relevant to media measurement
• Strong command of Python for production-quality modeling and tool development
• SQL fluency and comfort working with large, fragmented datasets and modern cloud data warehouses (Snowflake or comparable)
• Fluent in the digital ad ecosystem, including its data sources, measurement concepts, and ontology, across paid social, paid search, programmatic, and linear/streaming
• Active, hands-on practitioner with recent direct ownership of model development and tool building
• Working command of modern AI coding assistants (Claude, Copilot, agent-based workflows) for accelerating analysis, modeling, and tool development
• Excellent communication skills — able to explain a partial F-test to a client-side data scientist and a budget reallocation to a CMO with equal clarity
• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, economics, or a related quantitative field 

PREFERRED:

• Direct experience with MMM partners & tools such as Arima, OptiMine, Meridian, etc.
• Familiarity with Snowflake and modern data stack tooling
• Experience with creative analytics frameworks (wear-in/wear-out, attention metrics, creative tagging)
• Background working with retail, CPG, financial services, or other data-intensive verticals
• Exposure to privacy-preserving measurement approaches (clean rooms, modeled conversions, aggregated signals)
• 8–12 years of professional experience in marketing analytics, data science, or a closely related field
• Agency-side or media measurement experience is desirable, but not required

Please Note: This is a hybrid position requiring a combination of in-office work at our Chicago location and remote work from home. The specific schedule will be finalized upon hire.  We are only looking for candidates in/around the Chicago Metro Area and do not offer relocation assistance.

NOVUS is an independent local media planning and buying agency. We are focused on local media of all types including video, audio, OOH, digital, and print. We have carved out a unique position in the marketplace; with comprehensive data sets, proprietary tools and some of the best strategists in the industry, NOVUS builds and executes plans that achieve remarkable results.

NOVUS provides a collaborative work environment, with career advancement potential and offers an array of benefits as well as considerable time off allowances. Additionally, as a mid-sized agency, team members have direct exposure to senior management on a regular basis and they get the opportunity to work on a range of assignments with significant responsibilities. By joining one of the premier media companies in the industry, you'll be part of a team that is passionate, engaged, forward-thinking and seizing opportunities daily.

We are committed to providing salary ranges for all open positions. Please note that the specific compensation for this role will be determined based on your experience, qualifications, location, and internal equity considerations. The salary range for this position is: $180,000 - $210,000. This range reflects the base salary for this position.

NOVUS offers a full array of health care and wellness benefits, which currently includes medical, prescription, dental, vision, life and accidental death & dismemberment insurances, short and long-term disability, pre-tax flexible spending accounts, a health savings account, legal services, identity theft protection and an employee assistance program. Eligible employees are those that are full-time salaried or part-time salaried employees working 30 hours per week or more, as well as those whose eligibility is required by applicable state law.  A group retirement savings plan is also available to all salaried employees.  While the Company continually seeks to improve upon and add to its current benefits suite, it believes you will find the benefit programs as comprehensive as any in the industry.

Novus Media is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against and applicant or employee of the Company, on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, marital or family status, age, gender identity or expression, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.  Our agency is committed to creating a workplace where every employee feels welcomed, respected, and valued. We embrace diversity in all its forms, and we strongly encourage people from a variety of backgrounds to apply.