Director of Data Science (remote) - First American Financial Corporation

Who We Are

Join a team that puts its People First! Since 1889, First American (NYSE: FAF) has held an unwavering belief in its people. They are passionate about what they do, and we are equally passionate about fostering an environment where all feel welcome, supported, and empowered to be innovative and reach their full potential. Our inclusive, people-first culture has earned our company numerous accolades, including being named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list for nine consecutive years. We have also earned awards as a best place to work for women, diversity and LGBTQ+ employees, and have been included on more than 50 regional best places to work lists. First American will always strive to be a great place to work, for all. For more information, please visit www.careers.firstam.com.

What We Do

The Director of Data Science will play a critical role in building and scaling our data science team, driving advanced analytics, and delivering data-driven insights to inform product development and business strategy. This role requires an innovative thinker who can bridge the gap between cutting-edge data science and real-world business applications in Title and Real Estate. 

What You’ll Do: 

• Lead, mentor, manage, and grow a team of data scientists, machine learning engineers, data engineers, and analytics professionals.
• Define and drive the data science strategy in alignment with the company’s goals, focusing on leveraging data to enhance our products and services. 
• Collaborate with senior leadership to identify key business challenges and opportunities that can be addressed through data science initiatives. 
• Oversee the development and deployment of predictive models, machine learning algorithms, and advanced analytics solutions to improve decision-making processes across the business. 
• Design and implement solutions for property valuation, risk assessment, fraud detection, and customer behavior analysis specific to Title and Real Estate. 
• Stay current with industry trends, research, and emerging technologies in data science to keep the organization at the forefront of innovation. 
• Work closely with product, engineering, and operations teams to integrate data-driven insights into product features and operational workflows. 
• Present findings and recommendations to stakeholders, including C-suite executives, using clear, actionable language. 
• Establish best practices for data governance, including data quality, security, and privacy, especially considering the sensitive nature of real estate and financial transactions. 
   

What You’ll Bring: 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field (PhD preferred). 
• 8+ years of experience in data science roles, with at least 3+ years in a leadership or managerial position. 
• Proven experience in developing and deploying machine learning models and advanced analytics in real estate, financial services, or related industries. 
• Strong expertise in programming languages (Python, R, etc.), data visualization tools, and machine learning frameworks. 
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Hadoop, Spark, etc.) and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP, Azure). 
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex data insights into business value for non-technical stakeholders. 
• Understanding of Title and Real Estate market dynamics and regulatory requirements is a plus. 

Pay Range: $185,000 - $250,000 Annually 
 

This hiring range is a reasonable estimate of the base pay range for this position at the time of posting.  Pay is based on a number of factors which may include job-related knowledge, skills, experience, business requirements and geographic location. 

What We Offer

By choice, we don’t simply accept individuality – we embrace it, we support it, and we thrive on it! Our People First Culture celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion not simply because it’s the right thing to do, but also because it’s the key to our success. We are proud to foster an authentic and inclusive workplace For All. You are free and encouraged to bring your entire, unique self to work. First American is an equal opportunity employer in every sense of the term.

Based on eligibility, First American offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401k, PTO/paid sick leave and other great benefits like an employee stock purchase plan.