Background

Nikel is a leading embedded finance fintech that connects capital to small businesses. We provide end-to-end lending solutions for banks and technology companies via Nikel Lend (API-based lending solution), Nikel Market (B2B marketplace connecting banks to tech companies), and Nikel Fund (MAS-licensed fund manager). Nikel is on a mission to enable lending to be seamless for banks, technology companies, and entrepreneurs.

Role

The Company is seeking a Lead Data Scientist / Analytics Manager to help accelerate the Company’s innovation and data-driven strategy, including data management, predictive analytics, machine learning, and intelligent automation. He or she will lead the Company’s data science function and be expected to delegate work effectively and perform certain tasks individually. He or she should also have a strong understanding of credit, particularly related to the SME segment. He or she will also be responsible for day-to-day risk management of the Company’s loan portfolio and delivering output for external stakeholders, e.g., credit scoring tools for banks and articles for distribution to investors.  

Responsibilities

• Apply advanced analytical skills and machine learning experience to develop and implement credit models, behavioral analytics, and optimization models
• Manage, mentor, and provide technical guidance to junior members of the team
• Effectively communicate your projects to your internal and external stakeholders including customers
• Be constantly improving our practices and frameworks related to Data Science at scale
• Collaborate with the technology team on the integration and implementation of the models into the products

Qualifications

• Degree in a quantitative discipline: Mathematics, statistics, physics, data analytics, machine learning (Masters/PhD is a plus)
• Good theoretical understanding of relevant statistical models, their inner workings, assumptions, and limitations
• 5+ years of experience in developing credit models in Retail/SME space, preferably in credit cards, retail/SME, merchant analytics, application/behavioral/collections scorecards, and anti-fraud models
• A proven track record of leading successful projects, stakeholder management skills, and the ability to manage timelines and expectations
• Experience in managing and mentoring junior data scientists, strong communication skills, and organizational coordination ability
• Strong hands-on experience in the model development lifecycle for data scientists (training, testing, tuning, and performance monitoring)
• Excellent hands-on knowledge in at least 2 of these languages: R, Python, SQL
• The ability to understand existing models and conduct customization to fit into local markets/data
• Experience with IRB, IFRS9, and local regulation for ASEAN countries, is a plus
• Comfortable in a fluid environment, self-directed, flexible, and creative
• Commitment to the firm’s social mission and corporate values

Benefits

• Challenging role in a startup environment with strong growth ambitions
• Meaningful work toward the Company’s social impact mission and vision
• Competitive compensation and benefits

At Nikel, we are committed to diversity and equitable access to employment opportunities based on ability. Interested candidates can send their applications to [email protected]. We thank all applicants for their interest but will only contact candidates selected to advance in the hiring process.