---
title: 'Lead Data Scientist (Hybrid) at Enova International'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/lead-data-scientist-hybrid-enova-international-chicago-mk6fksha3z8j'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-09'
---

# Lead Data Scientist (Hybrid) at Enova International

- **Company:** Enova International
- **Location:** Chicago, IL
- **Posted:** 2026-09-02
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-09
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/enova/jobs/8174624

## Job description

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas or take over sponsorship at this time.

About the role:

As a Lead Data Scientist, you will be one of Enova’s most valuable team members. You will develop, enhance and test the company’s models for use in determining the appropriate lending criteria and verification procedures. You will lead and perform independent model validations to evaluate model fit for purpose, conceptual soundness, mathematical theory and assumptions, data/assumptions, and output reasonableness. At times, you may be asked to conduct ad hoc analysis using statistical and financial tools to recommend for risk management, marketing and operational strategies. You will demonstrate the ability to interpret and organize data, and communicate it effectively to cross functional teams, and provide technical guidance and mentorship to other team members to solve business problems, define requirements and support implementation.

Responsibilities:

- Lead and perform model validation of credit risk models
- Prepare model validation reports and write technical documentation
- Provide technical guidance and mentorship to team members in validating and preparing models for production
- Interact with model stakeholders and business partners to gather information about credit models and risk acceptances and provide effective challenge when appropriate
- Support model releases to ensure they are quickly and accurately put into production
- Monitor model performance dashboards, build alerts, and escalate concerns as appropriate
- Drive improvements to model validation methodologies, processes, and governance practices by leveraging data manipulation, machine learning, and programming skills to enhance automation and develop custom tools

Requirements:

- Experience in developing and/or independently validating advanced credit risk models
- 5+ years of experience in quantitative analysis in the financial services industry and experience leading complex analytical or model validation projects is preferred
- Strong knowledge of statistical models and methodologies used in risk management
- Advanced programming skills in Python and the ability to write customized programs for meaningful data analysis
- Experience working with relational databases, such as SQL
- Demonstrated ability to provide technical guidance and communicate complex quantitative concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders

Compensation:

The budgeted annual salary range for this position is $106,000 to $140,000. Actual annual salary will be determined based on qualifications, skills, experience, and level assessed during the hiring process and may fall outside of the range shown. Additional compensation for this role may include a bonus. All full-time employees are eligible to participate in Company benefits, described in more detail [here](https://www.enova.com/culture/#:~:text=Full%2Dtime%20employees%20receive%20medical,and%20dependent%20daycare%3B%20and%20more!). Benefits & Perks:

- Our hybrid roles require in-office work Tuesday through Thursday, with remote flexibility on Mondays and Fridays. This schedule fosters collaboration, team connection, and strategic planning, enhancing communication and effectiveness to drive results.
- Health, dental, and vision insurance including mental health benefits
- 401(k) matching plus a roth option (U.S. Based employees only)
- PTO & paid holidays off
- Sabbatical program (for eligible roles)
- Summer hours (for eligible roles)
- Paid parental leave
- DEI groups (B.L.A.C.K. @ Enova, HOLA @ Enova, Women @ Enova, Pride @ Enova, South Asians @ Enova, APEX @ Enova, and Parents @ Enova)
- Employee recognition and rewards program
- Charitable matching and a paid volunteer day…Plus so much more!

## About Enova

Enova International is a leading financial technology company that provides online financial services through our AI and machine learning-powered Colossus™platform. We serve non-prime consumers and businesses alike, while offering world-class technology and services to traditional banks—in order to create accessible credit for millions.

Being a values-driven organization is at the core of Enova’s success. We live our values by listening to our customers, challenging assumptions, thinking big, setting high expectations, and hiring and developing the best. Through our values and our commitment to making Enova an awesome place to work, we maintain an environment of inclusion and culture where our employees can thrive. You can learn more about Enova’s values and culture [here](http://www.enova.com/culture).

It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all persons and not discriminate in employment decisions by placing the most qualified person in each job, without regard to any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. California Applicants: Click[here](https://www.enova.com/ccpa/) to review our California Privacy Policy for Job Applicants.

## About Enova International

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Enova International is a leading financial technology company that provides online financial services to non-prime consumers and businesses through its AI and machine learning-powered Colossus™ platform.
- **Entity Type**: Public (NYSE: ENVA)
- **Headquarters**: Chicago, Illinois, USA
- **Founded**: 2004
- **Founders**: Not publicly available (the company was founded as a spin-off from CashNetUSA)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Financial Technology (Fintech), Online Consumer Lending, Small Business Lending, Credit Analytics
- **Target customers**: Non-prime consumers (B2C), small and medium-sized businesses (B2B), and traditional banks (B2B/partnerships)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: "Closing the world's credit gap" by creating accessible credit for millions of people and businesses.

## Products & Services
- **CashNetUSA**: Short-term and installment loans for non-prime consumers in the U.S.
- **NetCredit**: Personal loans and lines of credit for consumers, with a focus on building credit history.
- **OnDeck**: Small business loans and lines of credit, providing fast access to capital for SMBs.
- **Headway Capital**: A flexible business line of credit for small businesses.
- **Colossus™ Platform**: The proprietary, machine learning-powered analytics platform that powers all of Enova's lending decisions, risk assessment, and customer management. This platform is also offered as a service to traditional banks.

## Market Standing
- **Market Cap**: Approximately $2.5 billion (as of mid-2025) — *Note: Market cap fluctuates daily.*
- **Key Metric**: Over $15 billion in total loan originations funded to date. Enova serves millions of customers.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Members of the Online Lenders Alliance (OLA), Innovative Lending Platform Association (ILPA), and Associação Brasileira de Crédito Digital (ABCD). Key partners include traditional banks leveraging the Colossus platform.
- **Growth Signals**: 1,500+ employees globally. 90% of models are driven by machine learning-enabled analytics. Operations extend beyond the U.S. to Brazil (São Paulo) and other markets. The company continues to expand its B2B partnerships with traditional banks.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Proprietary Technology (Colossus™ Platform)**: A sophisticated, machine learning-driven analytics platform that enables fast, accurate credit decisions for non-prime borrowers — a segment often underserved by traditional banks.
- **Data Moat**: Over 15 years of lending data and billions in funded loans provide a massive dataset to continuously train and improve risk models.
- **Multi-Brand, Multi-Channel Strategy**: Serves both consumers (CashNetUSA, NetCredit) and businesses (OnDeck, Headway Capital), diversifying revenue streams and customer segments.
- **Licensed and Compliant**: One of the largest licensed lenders in the U.S., operating with a strong focus on regulatory compliance and responsible lending.

## Strategic Focus
- **Deepening AI/ML Capabilities**: Continuous investment in the Colossus platform to improve underwriting accuracy, customer experience, and operational efficiency.
- **Expanding B2B Partnerships**: Offering its technology and services to traditional banks to help them serve non-prime customers, opening a new, high-growth revenue channel.
- **International Growth**: Expanding operations in Brazil and other markets outside the U.S.
- **Product Innovation**: Developing new financial products and features to better serve existing customers and reach new ones.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture & Values**: Enova is a values-driven organization with five core values: *Customer First, Best Answer Wins, Operate as an Owner, Accountable for Results,* and *Top Talent and Teamwork.* These are actively used in decision-making.
- **Work Environment**: Hybrid work model (most roles are listed as "Hybrid" in Chicago, Denver, New York, or São Paulo, with some remote roles). The company emphasizes small, focused teams, autonomy, and a fast-paced, data-driven culture.
- **Perks & Benefits**: Full-time employees receive medical, dental, and vision insurance; matching 401(k); PTO; commuter benefits; flexible spending accounts; tuition reimbursement; and a one-month paid sabbatical after four years.
- **Growth & Development**: A dedicated training team with a robust onboarding program. The company promotes from within and encourages lateral and upward movement. Employees are encouraged to attend and speak at technology conferences.
- **Community & Fun**: Charitable match program, regular games, competitions, outings, and a strong emphasis on having fun while working hard. The company fosters Chicago's tech community through meetups and hack nights.
- **Engineering & Analytics Focus**: A tech-forward company where 90% of models are ML-driven. The CTO and Chief Analytics Officer (Joe DeCosmo) is a key leader, signaling strong investment in engineering and data science.

## Sources
1. [enova.com](https://www.enova.com/) — Company Overview, Values, Products, and Culture
2. [enova.com/company](https://www.enova.com/company/) — Leadership, Compliance, and Company Facts
3. [enova.com/culture](https://www.enova.com/culture/) — Culture, Perks, and Benefits Details
4. [job-boards.greenhouse.io/enova](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/enova) — Current Job Openings and Career Information

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