Lead Data Scientist

Media Alpha is a customer acquisition solutions provider powered by technology and data science. The company provides industry-leading solutions designed to reach consumers shopping within high-consideration categories such as property and casualty insurance, health insurance, life insurance, and more.

We’re looking for a Lead Data Scientist to guide a high-impact team in solving the most critical and complex problems across our marketplace. You’ll partner closely with product, engineering, and executive leadership to set vision and strategy for data science initiatives, ensuring that our models and insights directly drive business growth and efficiency.

This role is an excellent fit for a strong individual contributor or emerging team lead who’s ready to grow into formal people management.

• Lead, manage, and grow a team of Data Scientists, providing coaching, career development, and performance feedback.
• Architect and product ionize advanced ML/AI solutions across our marketplace with your team.
• Improve how we approach real-time auction pricing and LTV-driven bid optimization through scalable, data-driven solutions.
• Master the Media Alpha platform and collaborate with engineering to enhance its analytical capabilities and build new data products.
• Own the end-to-end lifecycle of key initiatives, from ideation to deployment and iteration.

• 10+ years of experience in Data Science, Analytics, or a related field, with at least 3 years managing or leading data science teams
• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in a quantitative discipline (e.g., economics, business, finance, math, engineering, statistics) or equivalent experience
• Proven experience leading cross‑functional projects and collaborating with tech/engineering teams
• Demonstrated success deploying impactful code (e.g., predictive models, data pipelines, algorithms) to production environments with quantifiable business impact
• Expertise in applying statistical techniques to real-world business problems (e.g. designing tests/experiments and evaluating results)
• Proven track record of training and mentoring data scientists
• Advanced in Python and SQL
• Exceptional analytical skills and ability to synthesize large and disparate data sets
• Capacity to think critically and creatively, uncover problems, and propose solutions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Self‑starter who takes initiative on all projects and strives to build and improve upon existing processes

• Experience with search, display, performance, and/or digital marketing
• Experience with real‑time bidding
• Experience with R Shiny and Shiny Server
• Experience with Airflow

• An annual discretionary bonus program and participation in our Restricted Stock Unit program
• 100% Employer‑paid health, dental, and vision insurance for you, your dependents, and spouse or registered domestic partner
• 100% Employer‑paid long‑term disability and life insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with matching contributions
• Open Paid Time Off policy with a birthday day off and 11 holidays
• Cell phone, wellness, and internet expense reimbursement, along with a subscription to the Calm App
• 100% fully paid parental leave for team members up to 22 weeks for the primary caregiver and 12 weeks for the secondary caregiver
• Dog‑friendly offices (LA and AZ) along with a $300 pet adoption reimbursement

Media Alpha is committed to fostering, cultivating, and maintaining a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our philosophy and actions are built on the premise that as an employer and citizens of our communities, we can create opportunities for lasting change.

Media Alpha will consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local “Fair Chance” laws. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants with disabilities and disabled veterans in our application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at  or (213) 316‑6256.