ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

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 ...

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 ...

ZS

Advanced Data Science Manager

Evanston, IL · On-site

$225K - $240K/yr

Provide thought leadership and innovation through research and publication. What you'll bring ... data science education) is preferred * Experience with big data, claims analytics, advanced ...

Reyes Holdings

Data Scientist

Rosemont, IL · On-site

Document projects including business objectives, data gathering and processing, leading approaches ... Bachelor's Degree in Data Science, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Statistics, Business ...

Reyes Holdings

Data Scientist

Rosemont, IL · On-site

Document projects including business objectives, data gathering and processing, leading approaches ... Bachelor's Degree in Data Science, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Statistics, Business ...

State Farm

Data Scientist

Bloomington, IL · Hybrid

Our data science teams also embrace staying current with the evolving data science landscape ... Present on technical topics to peers, leadership, and other stakeholders, including non-technical ...

State Farm

Data Scientist

Bloomington, IL · Hybrid

Our data science teams also embrace staying current with the evolving data science landscape ... Present on technical topics to peers, leadership, and other stakeholders, including non-technical ...

State Farm

Data Scientist

Bloomington, IL · On-site

Our data science teams also embrace staying current with the evolving data science landscape ... Present on technical topics to peers, leadership, and other stakeholders, including non-technical ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

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 Sep 2, 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 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 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 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 does a data science leader do?

A data science leader oversees data science teams, develops strategies for data analysis, and ensures the effective use of data to support business goals. They often coordinate projects, communicate insights to stakeholders, and have expertise in statistical methods, machine learning, and data management tools. Strong leadership, communication skills, and a solid understanding of data science techniques are essential for this role.

What jobs does data science leader lead to?

A data science leader typically advances to senior roles such as Director of Data Science, Chief Data Officer, or Vice President of Data. These positions involve overseeing data strategy, managing teams, and aligning data initiatives with business goals, often requiring strong leadership, technical expertise, and experience with analytics tools and programming languages like Python or R.

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, 68% Full Time, 29% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% 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 25 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

Apply