Freelance Data Science Startup Jobs in New York (NOW HIRING)

Overview: 

If you're looking for the stability of a profitable, growing company with the entrepreneurial spirit of a startup, we're hiring. SageSure, a leader in catastrophe-exposed property insurance, is seeking a Director, Data Science. In this role, you will lead a team of data scientists in solving some of the most complex and high-impact challenges in the business. You will guide the development of advanced analytics, AI, and machine learning solutions while shaping strategy, influencing cross-functional decision-making, and building scalable processes that mature SageSure's data capabilities. 

We are looking for a highly motivated, strategically minded, and innovative leader who thrives in both ambiguity and complexity-someone who can elevate team performance, collaborate across the organization, and set a vision for the future of Data Science at SageSure. 

What you'd be doing: 

• Partner with senior leaders across Product, Engineering, Program, and Operations to understand business needs and translate them into a cohesive Data Science strategy and roadmap. 
• Influence and align stakeholders by articulating clear priorities, trade-offs, and expected outcomes; ensure downstream teams have full context to execute effectively. 
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the team and cross-functional partners. 
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of data scientists; provide coaching, career development, and structured feedback while ensuring clarity of expectations. 
• Build strong team health by promoting inclusion, psychological safety, and a values-driven culture. 
• Ensure the team structure, processes, and operating rhythms support long-term scalability and organizational needs. 
• Oversee the design, development, and deployment of machine learning models and advanced analytics solutions that drive business impact, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen decision-making. 
• Champion experimentation, innovation, and responsible use of AI; ensure solutions adhere to best practices in model governance, data ethics, and performance monitoring. 
• Translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders, including senior executives. 
• Build and refine scalable processes, documentation, and standards that enhance quality, reproducibility, and onboarding efficiency. 
• Ensure responsible stewardship of data, models, and technical resources; make fiscally sound decisions aligned with departmental objectives and priorities. 
• Break down silos by promoting cross-functional problem-solving and encouraging teams to think beyond their lane to achieve shared goals. 

We're looking for someone who has: 

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a quantitative field (Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, etc.). 
• 3+ years of leadership experience managing data scientists or analytics teams in a fast-paced environment. 
• Deep expertise in Python, SQL, and modern data science/ML tooling (Pandas, NumPy, TensorFlow, etc.). 
• Strong understanding of AWS or comparable cloud architecture. 
• Demonstrated success delivering machine learning solutions that drive measurable business outcomes. 
• Proven ability to think strategically, manage complex initiatives, and prioritize effectively across competing demands. 
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to influence senior executives and guide teams through ambiguity. 

Highly preferred candidates also have: 

• Experience in P&C insurance or another highly regulated, data-intensive industry. 
• Exposure to large-scale, real-time data pipelines and MLOps practices. 
• Experience building cross-functional operating models, processes, or governance frameworks. 
• Experience leading through organizational change and building long-term analytics foundations. 

Data and AI at SageSure:  

At SageSure, data and AI aren't just functions-they're engines for innovation. Our Data & AI organization brings together Data Science, Business Intelligence, Data Management, and emerging AI capabilities to power smarter decisions and deliver meaningful impact across the business. From advanced machine learning models to scalable data ecosystems and real-time insights, we transform complex information into clarity that drives strategic outcomes. 

We're building a team of curious, collaborative problem-solvers who are excited about pushing the boundaries of what data and AI can do. Whether you're developing predictive models, enhancing AI-driven capabilities, strengthening data governance, or uncovering insights that influence key decisions, you'll play a critical role in shaping how SageSure uses data and intelligence to lead the future of insurance.