Machine Learning Manager Jobs in Cottage Grove, MN

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

This role leads, mentors, and develops a team of Data Scientists and analytics professionals while providing technical guidance, career development, and performance feedback. The position balances people leadership with hands-on contributions, dedicating approximately half of the time to analytics, machine learning, and AI solution development. The individual establishes team standards, workflows, and best practices, and partners with business stakeholders to identify and prioritize high-value analytics and AI opportunities aligned with organizational goals. Responsibilities include guiding the design, development, deployment, and operationalization of machine learning and LLM-powered solutions, driving Generative AI use cases such as summarization, classification, embeddings, and decision support, and enabling scalable deployment through CI/CD pipelines, Airflow orchestration, and MLOps practices. The role ensures model performance, governance, and reliability, translates analytical outcomes into actionable business insights, and builds executive-ready dashboards and data storytelling capabilities using Power BI or similar tools. Additionally, the role collaborates cross-functionally with Engineering, Product, IT, and business teams, promotes responsible AI and data governance practices, drives process improvements and operational efficiencies, supports hiring and onboarding, and fosters a collaborative, innovative, and continuous learning culture across the team.

Job Skills:

• Strong leadership and team management skills with the ability to mentor and develop high-performing analytics teams
• Expertise in machine learning, statistical modeling, and advanced analytics techniques
• Hands-on experience with Generative AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), and related use cases (e.g., summarization, classification, retrieval, embeddings)
• Proficiency in Python (preferred), SQL, and data manipulation frameworks (e.g., pandas, NumPy)
• Experience with ML frameworks and libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, LightGBM, TensorFlow, PyTorch)
• Knowledge of MLOps practices, including model deployment, monitoring, CI/CD pipelines, and workflow orchestration (e.g., Airflow)
• Experience working with cloud platforms (e.g., GCP, Azure, AWS) for scalable analytics and AI solutions
• Strong data visualization and storytelling skills using tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or similar platforms
• Ability to translate complex analytical and AI concepts into clear, actionable business insights
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills with a data-driven mindset
• Effective stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Understanding of data governance, responsible AI practices, and data privacy standards
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and drive initiatives in a fast-paced environment

Work Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in data science, advanced analytics, AI, or related fields
• 1+ years of people leadership, technical leadership, or team lead experience preferred
• Proven experience delivering production-grade ML or AI solutions
• Experience leading cross-functional analytics initiatives
• Experience operationalizing GenAI or LLM-based applications preferred

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in data science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related quantitative field required
• Master's degree in data science, Computer Science, Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field preferred

Other:

• Must be able to travel occasionally should a business need arise. For most roles travel would not be common. Travel may involve planes, car or metro. In accordance with ADA policies, reasonable accommodations regarding travel limitations can be provided. Travel will be more common for roles such as Account Executives (25 - 50%), senior leaders (10 - 20%) or Capella Core Faculty (5 - 10%).
• Ability to work onsite in Corporate or Campus location (in a typical office environment) may be required based on role. If so, this would include being mobile within the office, including movement from floor-to-floor using elevators or stairs.
• If offsite or hybrid role, must have access to work in setting which enables meeting all requirements of the role (including privacy, reliable internet access, phone, ability to video conference, etc.) at a remote location.
• Faculty and Federal Work Study roles require access to work in setting which enables meeting all requirements of the role (including computer, privacy, reliable internet access, phone, ability to video conference, etc.) at a remote location.
• This role may require lifting, however reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with our ADA policies.
• Must be able to meet critical thinking and problem solving aspects aligned to job duties, as well as effectively communicating with co-workers.
• Must be able to work more than 40 hours per week when business needs warrant. Accommodations related to schedule may be considered.
• Able to access information using a computer.
• Other essential functions and marginal job functions are subject to modification.

SEI offers a comprehensive package of benefits to employees scheduled 30 hours or more per week. In addition to medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans, SEI employees may take advantage of well-being incentives, parental leave, paid time off, certain paid holidays, tax saving accounts (FSA, HSA), 401(k) retirement benefit, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, tuition assistance as well as entertainment and retail discounts. Non-exempt employees are eligible for overtime pay, if applicable.

Careers - Our Benefits, Strategic Education, Inc

SEI is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative culture where individuals can grow their careers and contribute fully. We strive to attract talent with broad experiences, skills and perspectives. We welcome applications from all. While it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top end of the pay range at SEI, we offer a competitive salary. The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate may vary depending on multiple factors including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, geographical location, and internal pay equity. Our Talent Acquisition Team is ready to discuss your interest in joining SEI. The expected salary range for this position is below.

If you require reasonable accommodations to complete our application process, please contact our Human Resources Department at Careers@strategiced.com.