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Data Science Leader Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Numerator

Director, Data Science

Chicago, IL · On-site

We're looking for a leader who enjoys challenging assumptions, translating client needs into innovation, and developing exceptional data scientists. You should be equally comfortable debating ...

Vizient

Data Science Fellow

Chicago, IL · On-site

$51K - $87K/yr

Collaborate with internal Vizient staff and leaders, and external stakeholders including Vizient ... Master's degree in data science, statistics, medical/health informatics, or related field desired.

MonoSol

Senior Scientist Data Science

Chicago, IL · On-site

Leadership, Capability Building & Data Advancement * Lead data science initiatives from problem definition through sustained use in decision-making, working across R&D and manufacturing. * Act as a ...

New

Socket.dev

Architect, Data Science

Chicago, IL · On-site

$155 - $190/hr

As part of our growing Data Science practice, this role offers an exciting opportunity to lead ... Rapid learning and mentorship opportunities with AI/GenAI thought leaders and practitioners. * A ...

Inspire11

Data Science Consultant

Chicago, IL · On-site

Turn it up to 11 as a Data Scientist ! Elevens, as we call ourselves here, are passionately curious ... Bonuses We may allow employees in Sales, Recruiting, or Leadership to earn periodic bonuses based ...

Inspire11

Data Science Consultant

Chicago, IL

Turn it up to 11 as a Data Scientist ! Elevens, as we call ourselves here, are passionately curious ... Bonuses We may allow employees in Sales, Recruiting, or Leadership to earn periodic bonuses based ...

Publicis Groupe Holdings B.V

Data Scientist

Chicago, IL · On-site

They will work under the guidance of senior data science leaders to deliver impactful, data-driven solutions for both internal teams and external clients. We are looking for someone with 1-2 years of ...

Numerator

Director, Data Science

Chicago, IL

We're looking for a leader who enjoys challenging assumptions, translating client needs into innovation, and developing exceptional data scientists. You should be equally comfortable debating ...

Numerator

Director, Data Science

Chicago, IL · On-site

We're looking for a leader who enjoys challenging assumptions, translating client needs into innovation, and developing exceptional data scientists. You should be equally comfortable debating ...

Kemper

Data Science Manager

Bloomington, IL · Hybrid

This role includes direct people leadership responsibilities, including coaching, mentorship, and performance management Position Responsibilities: * Manages a small team of data scientists and data ...

Kemper

Data Science Manager

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

This role includes direct people leadership responsibilities, including coaching, mentorship, and performance management Position Responsibilities: * Manages a small team of data scientists and data ...

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All JobsData Science Leader JobsData Science Leader Jobs in Illinois

Data Science Leader information

See Illinois salary details

$44.6K

$159.9K

$236K

How much do data science leader jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for data science leader in Illinois is $159,907.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $129,400.00 and $164,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by data science leaders, and how can they navigate them?

Data Science Leaders often face challenges such as aligning team efforts with business goals, managing diverse technical skill sets, and ensuring project stakeholders understand complex analytical insights. Balancing hands-on technical work with leadership responsibilities requires strong organizational and time management skills. Additionally, staying current with rapidly evolving tools and methodologies is essential for maintaining a team's competitive edge. Leveraging open communication, encouraging ongoing professional development, and building strong cross-functional relationships can help leaders successfully navigate these challenges.

What is a data science leader?

A Data Science Leader is responsible for guiding teams in leveraging data to drive business decisions and innovation. They oversee data strategy, mentor data scientists, collaborate with stakeholders, and ensure that data-driven solutions align with company goals. Their role blends technical expertise with leadership, requiring strong skills in analytics, machine learning, and communication.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a data science leader, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Data Science Leader, you need deep expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning, and data analytics, usually supported by advanced degrees in data science or related fields. Familiarity with programming languages like Python or R, experience with big data tools (e.g., Spark, Hadoop), and certifications such as Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) are commonly expected. Exceptional communication, strategic thinking, and team leadership skills set outstanding candidates apart. These competencies are critical for driving impactful data solutions, fostering innovation, and effectively guiding teams to deliver on business objectives.

What are popular job titles related to Data Science Leader jobs in Illinois? For Data Science Leader jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Data Science Leader jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Data Science Leader jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Data Science Leader jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Data Science Leader job openings:
Data Science Leader jobs near you
Infographic showing various Data Science Leader job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $159,907 per year, or $76.9 per hour.

Director, Data Science

Numerator

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

At Numerator, understanding consumers begins with one of the industry's richest and most comprehensive views of real-world purchasing behavior. For more than a decade, Numerator has pioneered and led the science of representing consumer purchasing behavior across retailers, channels, brands, categories, demographics, and geographies.
As Director of Data Science, you will lead the team responsible for Numerator's consumer panel - the quality, currency, and representativeness of the signal at the heart of our data. Your team owns how well the panel reflects the population, how we understand where it doesn't, and the methodologies that keep it accurate, current, and trustworthy. You'll partner closely with Market Science, Engineering, Product, and GTM to turn that signal into products and estimates clients rely on.
We're looking for a leader who enjoys challenging assumptions, translating client needs into innovation, and developing exceptional data scientists. You should be equally comfortable debating statistical methodology, mentoring a team, partnering with Engineering and Product, and explaining complex concepts in language that drives better business decisions.
What You'll Do:
Team Leadership:
  • Lead, coach, and develop a team of data scientists and data science managers focused on consumer behavior, panel methodology, and measurement science
  • Grow the leaders on your team - developing managers, not only individual contributors - and raise the technical bar through mentorship, methodology reviews, and adoption of modern statistical approaches
  • Foster a culture of scientific curiosity, rigor, and peer review, where decisions are grounded in evidence and healthy debate rather than precedent or intuition
  • Build an AI-native data science team by thoughtfully integrating AI into research, experimentation, software development, and scientific workflows - helping scientists move faster while maintaining rigorous standards
  • Maintain regular engagement with clients to deepen understanding of their challenges, build confidence in Numerator's methodology, and keep client needs central to the team's priorities

Consumer Science & Methodology
  • Own the quality, currency, and representativeness of the panel signal end to end - advancing methods for attribution completeness, compliance, anomaly detection, and keeping panelist demographics current
  • Characterize how the panel represents - and mis-represents - the population, treating that as a first-class, proactive modeling discipline rather than reactive data cleanup
  • Steward the panel as a living asset, partnering across the business on recruitment, engagement, and panel health, and turning evidence of where the panel is thin into targeted, prioritized investment
  • Design methodologies that improve the stability, consistency, explainability, and scientific defensibility of Numerator's consumer data

Statistical Innovation
  • Challenge existing approaches through first-principles thinking, and research, prototype, and productionize new statistical and machine learning methods where they strengthen the platform
  • Partner with Market Science to advance the statistical foundations of Numerator's products

Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Partner closely with Market Science, Engineering, Product, and GTM - contributing the deep panel understanding that powers the broader measurement system, and translating scientific advances into scalable product capabilities
  • Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to technical and non-technical audiences
  • Balance scientific rigor with practical business impact and client value

Skills & Requirements
  • 8+ years applying advanced statistical modeling to large, complex, real-world datasets
  • Experience leading data science teams, including developing managers or leading through other leaders
  • Deep expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning, and probabilistic reasoning
  • Strong grounding in panel, survey, or sampling methodology - weighting, representativeness, and measurement science
  • Experience working with noisy observational data and developing methods to improve data quality, representativeness, or inference
  • Experience developing production methodologies rather than exploratory analyses, and designing statistical systems rather than simply applying existing techniques
  • Strong programming skills in Python, with working knowledge of SQL
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex statistical concepts to diverse audiences, including external/client audiences

You'll stand out if you have:
  • Experience with Bayesian statistics, hierarchical modeling, probabilistic inference, or state-space models
  • Experience with causal inference, experimental design, or behavioral modeling
  • Experience developing statistical methods for consumer, retail, marketing, or longitudinal datasets
  • A demonstrated ability to challenge existing methodologies and introduce new scientific approaches into production
  • A systems-thinking approach that considers how improvements in one area influence the broader measurement platform

There is strength in numbers - We are the Numerati
Numerator is 2,000 employees strong. We have the confidence to be real and embrace what makes each Numerati unique. Our diverse experiences, ideas and backgrounds fuel our innovation.
Being part of the Numerati means that we'll take care of you! From our Recharge Days, maximum flexibility policy, wellness resources for employees and their families, development opportunities and much more - we're always finding ways to better support, celebrate and accelerate our team.

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