Manager, Data Science

*PLEASE NOTE: This role requires the candidate to be in or near Charlotte, NC. In-office presence is required three days a week. Additionally, this position does not offer visa sponsorship.*

The POSITION

The Manager, Data Science will lead a team of data scientists to design, develop, and deploy models that drive measurable business outcomes across LendingTree. This role combines technical leadership with strategic oversight — ensuring scientific rigor, operational excellence, and cross-functional impact. 

You will play a key role in helping shape the team direction, mentoring talent, and collaborating with engineering, product, analytics, and business stakeholders to deliver scalable, high-quality data science/AI solutions. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable discussing model architectures, business tradeoffs, and team development strategies. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Strategy:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of data scientists, fostering technical excellence and growth. 

• Collaborate with senior stakeholders to identify and prioritize opportunities where machine learning and AI can deliver value. 

• Promote best practices in experimentation, modeling, validation, and monitoring to ensure robust, production-grade solutions. 

Model Development & Delivery:

• Oversee the design, development, and deployment of data science models, ensuring scalability, reproducibility, and operational performance. 

• Guide the team through data acquisition, feature engineering, and model lifecycle management from prototype to production. 

• Partner with MLOps and engineering to streamline workflows and monitor models in production environments. 

• Review and enhance model documentation, testing, and versioning standards. 

Technical Expertise:

• Apply expertise in Python, SQL, and ML frameworks (Scikit-learn, PyTorch, TensorFlow, etc.) to provide hands-on guidance where needed. 

• Lead code reviews and establish quality control standards for data science deliverables. 

• Champion explainability, fairness, and reliability in all model-driven solutions. 

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication:

• Translate complex analytical findings into actionable business insights for diverse audiences. 

• Collaborate closely with Analytics, Product, and Platform leaders to integrate data-driven decision-making into products and operations. 

• Drive alignment across business units to ensure models address real-world needs and deliver measurable impact. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Statistics, or a related field (PhD a plus). 

• 7+ years of experience in applied data science, with experience in a leadership or people management role. 

• Proven ability to lead teams through full ML lifecycle — data preparation, modeling, validation, deployment, and monitoring. 

• Advanced proficiency in Python, SQL, and data science libraries (NumPy, Pandas, Scikit-learn, PyTorch, TensorFlow). 

• Experience with cloud-based ML platforms (AWS SageMaker or Snowpark preferred). 

• Solid understanding of ML Ops, reproducibility, and governance practices. 

• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with a track record of business impact. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; capable of influencing technical and executive audiences. 

NICE TO HAVE

• Experience in fin-tech or other data-rich, high-scale consumer businesses. 

• Background in software engineering, model deployment, or data platform integration. 

• Experience managing hybrid teams (on-site and remote). 

• In depth knowledge and experience in leveraging GenAI & LLM capabilities, building Retrieval Augmented Generation/agentic workflows preferred 

ABOUT LENDINGTREE

LendingTree is the nation’s leading online lending marketplace. We connect consumers with multiple lenders so they can easily compare options and find the right fit — from mortgages and personal loans to credit, savings, and insurance products. 

Our founder, Doug Lebda, started LendingTree in 1996 after his own frustrating house-hunting experience. What began as a simple idea to make loan shopping easier has grown into a platform that empowers millions of people to make smarter financial decisions every day.

What else you should know:

• We’re a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: TREE).
• We’ve welcomed several other companies into the LendingTree family to expand our reach and capabilities.
• We’ve built the LendingTree app and My LendingTree dashboard to give consumers tools to manage and monitor their financial health.
• We’re also committed to giving back — through philanthropic programs, volunteer opportunities, and partnerships that strengthen the communities where we live and work.

Incentive Compensation: Annual bonus opportunity

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision insurance, 401(k) matching, life insurance, pet insurance, and a competitive PTO (paid time off) policy

The base pay range for this position in Seattle/New York/Colorado/California is $180,000-$210,000 however, base pay offered may vary depending on internal factors, job-related knowledge, and experience.

OUR CULTURE

We’re a collaborative, entrepreneurial team that values curiosity, creativity, and getting things done together. Our teammates are some of the brightest, most driven people you’ll meet — and we celebrate innovation, inclusion, and ownership. At LendingTree, you’ll find an inclusive culture where diverse perspectives make us stronger. We believe in working hard and supporting one another — with the flexibility and trust that help you thrive both personally and professionally.

We’re proud to offer generous benefits, wellness programs, and time-off policies designed to help you recharge, stay healthy, and bring your best self to work every day. And yes — we still have fun doing it (our “GSD – Get Stuff Done” award is a fan favorite!)

Come grow with us, make an impact, and be part of a company that truly cares about its people and its community.

LendingTree is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion (or creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.

CCPA Disclosure