Data Scientist
The Organization:
We help society’s foundational institutions—healthcare and higher education—to achieve their full potential in service to others.
We are our clients’ trusted partners in ever-changing times. For more than 30 years, Kaufman Hall has provided independent, objective insights grounded in sound data and analysis to help clients fulfill their missions, achieve their goals, and tackle their toughest problems.
Kaufman Hall provides world-class management consulting in strategic financial planning (a concept we created); performance improvement; partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions; and treasury and capital markets. Kaufman Hall’s consulting is supported by a deep foundation of data assets and data-driven tools.
At Kaufman Hall, we believe that sustained success is never an accident. It is the result of sound decision making, based on data-driven analysis and disciplined thinking, and guided by the fundamental principles of corporate finance.
The Position:We are currently looking for a data scientist to support our data efforts for both internal consulting practices and external clients. This role will be focused on the development and application of data science techniques to solve our nation’s most challenging healthcare problems. This role will have the opportunity to help shape and guide our consultants and client’s decision making through data-driven approaches. This role will collaborate closely with our subject matter experts and data science team, and will support the enhancement of consulting deliverables, conduct direct client consulting, create meaningful thought leadership pieces, and support our overall analytics infrastructure. Functions of this role will include exploratory data analysis, feature engineering, creation and deployment of machine learning models, development of client-facing presentations and models, and everything in-between. We seek a well-rounded data scientist who is excited to apply advanced techniques to the healthcare environment to improve financial and operational outcomes in an ethical way, and thereby support the health of all our communities, while working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
Primary Responsibilities:- Develops creative data-driven solutions by employing data science techniques such as operations research, advanced statistics, feature engineering, machine learning/AI, predictive analytics, mathematical modeling, linear and non-linear regression, stochastic modeling, and mathematical optimization
- Communicates the benefits and limitations of various approaches to stakeholders and crafts data narratives that are both cogent and impactful
- Creates complex models and algorithms drawing from diverse, large and complex datasets
- Builds or deploys data science models that effectively translate client and consultant requirements into actionable output
- Builds and deploys optimization models to combine disparate analyses and perform sensitivity analyses such that the primary objectives are best met
- Participates in both client-facing and internal meetings to explain approaches and deliverables through effective data storytelling
- Participates in research to continually advance analytical, operations research, and process improvement methodologies for solving complex problems
- Collaborates with application development teams in the development of scalable tools
- Appropriately documents work for posterity, debugging, and future enhancement
Qualifications:- 3+ years of progressive data science experience required. Healthcare finance/operations experience is a plus. Prior consulting experience preferred.
- Experience in developing, utilizing, and deploying bespoke data science methodologies such as machine learning/AI, linear programming, severity and risk modeling, optimization modeling, operations research, or logistics science within business settings
- Proficiency in Python. Experience with PySpark, business intelligence tools, data querying tools (e.g. SQL), or statistical software (e.g. R, SAS) preferred.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and other common business software.
- Ability to assess client/project needs, outline project goals, define project deliverables, and establish timelines
- Experience working on concurrent projects and managing multiple internal and external stakeholders at various levels
- Strong oral, written, presentation and interpersonal communication skills
- Possess basic understanding of accounting practices. Experience with healthcare operations and reporting practices preferred.
- Self-directed learner who demonstrates intellectual curiosity, operates independently, and works efficiently in an inter-disciplinary team environment
- An entrepreneurial spirit that is inquisitive, proactive, interested in learning new tools and techniques
- Unquestionable commitment to personal and corporate integrity in every situation
- Applicants for employment must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States and with Kaufman Hall (i.e., H1-B visa, F-1 visa (OPT), TN visa or any other non-immigrant status).
Education Requirements:- Master’s degree in data science, operations research, statistics, or a relevant technical field (Predictive Analytics, Computer Science, Mathematics, etc.), or equivalent practical experience
Physical Requirements:- Must be able to perform essential duties satisfactorily with reasonable accommodations.
- Work is generally done sitting, talking, hearing and typing. Visual acuity to use a keyboard, prepare and analyze data and figures; transcribing, viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading.
Work Environment:- Travel Required: Minimal, 0-10%
- The role is remotely based or based in Chicago.
- Work is regularly performed in a combination of office and home office settings and routinely uses standard office equipment.
- It may require the maintenance of a home office and proximity to an airport for work related travel.
Kaufman Hall is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. We recruit, hire, train, promote, pay, and administer all employment actions without regard to actual and also perceived or assumed protected group status as defined by law of an individual or that individual’s associates or relatives. Our policies and the law prohibit employment discrimination against any employee or applicant on the basis of any legally protected status.