Director, Data Science

The Director of Data Science will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare insurance by leading innovative data science initiatives that drive better health outcomes, cost optimization, and enhanced member experiences. This leader will oversee a team of talented data scientists to develop advanced AI, machine learning, and analytics solutions, with a special focus on forecasting medical expense trends, designing simulation models, and building dynamic member segmentation frameworks. Collaborating across actuarial, clinical, IT, and operations teams, the Director will leverage cutting-edge technologies and data-driven strategies to tackle complex challenges in healthcare economics, enabling smarter decisions and more personalized care. This is a unique opportunity for a visionary leader to make a significant, measurable impact in a fast-evolving industry.

Key Accountabilities:

• Drive Innovation
  
  
  
  • Develop and execute a bold data science strategy that harnesses the power of AI, ML, and advanced analytics to tackle the healthcare industry's most complex challenges.
  • Identify high-impact opportunities to deploy forecasting, simulation, and segmentation models to transform decision-making across the organization.
  • Lead efforts to forecast medical expense trends, equipping stakeholders with actionable insights to manage costs and improve care delivery.
  
  
  
  
• Lead and Inspire
  
  
  
  • Build, inspire, and mentor a team of top-tier data scientists, cultivating a culture of collaboration, curiosity, and cutting-edge innovation.
  • Empower your team to push boundaries, explore new technologies, and deliver measurable results that align with organizational goals.
  
  
  
  
• Deliver Real-World Impact
  
  
  
  • Develop and deploy predictive models to solve real-world problems, from forecasting medical costs and utilization patterns to optimizing resource allocation.
  • Design segmentation models that unlock deep insights into member populations, enabling personalized engagement and better outcomes.
  • Drive simulation initiatives to evaluate "what-if" scenarios and support strategic decision-making.
  
  
  
  
• Collaborate and Influence
  
  
  
  • Partner with key leaders across actuarial, clinical, IT, and operational teams to turn data into strategies that transform healthcare delivery.
  • Articulate complex data science concepts in ways that inspire action and drive cross-functional alignment.
  
  
  
  
• Champion Excellence
  
  
  
  • Establish robust processes for ethical AI, model governance, and compliance with healthcare regulations like HIPAA.
  • Ensure all data science activities promote transparency, security, and trust while delivering measurable value.
  
  
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, AI, Statistics, Healthcare Economics, or a related field.
• Advanced degree preferred (Master's; PhD a plus).
• 8+ years of experience in data science, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.

Specific types of experience or skills required:

• Proven expertise in AI/ML, forecasting, simulation, and segmentation, with a track record of delivering tangible results.
• Deep experience in healthcare economics, including forecasting medical expense trends, cost modeling, and analyzing key cost drivers.
• Proficiency with programming languages and tools such as Python, R, SQL, TensorFlow, and Spark.
• Exceptional leadership skills, with the ability to build, mentor, and inspire high-performing teams.
• Outstanding communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to influence across all levels of the organization.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with modern cloud-based platforms such as Snowflake, AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
• Expertise in integrating cloud solutions into analytics, forecasting, and machine learning workflows.
• Knowledge of healthcare regulations, payer-provider dynamics, and ethical considerations in AI.
• A track record of turning data science insights into actionable strategies that drive healthcare transformation.

This position is an Office role, which requires an employee to work from the designated office - Twin Cities, MN - on average, 2+ times per week.

The full salary range for this position is $146,900 - $251,900. Annual salary range placement will depend on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, education, work experience, applicable certifications and/or licensure, the position's scope and responsibility, internal pay equity and external market salary data. In addition to base compensation, this position may be eligible for incentive plan compensation in addition to base salary. Medica offers a generous total rewards package that includes competitive medical, dental, vision, PTO, Holidays, paid volunteer time off, 401K contributions, caregiver services and many other benefits to support our employees.

The compensation and benefits information is provided as of the date of this posting. Medica's compensation and benefits are subject to change at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law.

Medica's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) includes unifying our workforce through learning and development, recruitment and retention. We consistently communicate the importance of DEI, celebrate achievements, and seek out community partnerships and diverse suppliers that are representative of everyone in our community. We are developing sustainable programs and investing time, talent and resources to ensure that we are living our values. We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, where all qualified candidates receive consideration for employment indiscriminate of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.