Senior Data Scientist

Company Description

At Shift, we’re business specialists dedicated to helping Australian SMEs take control of their cashflow, streamline trade terms and choose the right financial products.  

We believe Australian businesses are the driving force behind our economy and are core to our communities. That’s why our business expertise, focus on relationships, and market-leading technology is at the core of everything we do.  

Our unique approach to product innovation combined with our collaborative culture means you can build your career in a supportive environment. You’ll be joining a diverse team of over 250 people who are always looking to deliver better outcomes for Australian businesses. 

Job Description

Join Shift as a Senior Data Scientist and play a key role in shaping our analytical capabilities. You’ll collaborate closely with executives, product teams, and risk experts to design and deliver powerful statistical and machine learning models focused on credit risk, fraud detection, and profitability. Your work will directly influence business strategy, ensuring data quality and strong model governance.

What You’ll Do:

• Partner with executive, product, risk, and frontline teams to define analytical goals and project scope
• Manage modelling projects end-to-end, ensuring alignment with business benefits and executive buy-in
• Translate complex statistical concepts and model outcomes into clear, actionable business insights
• Design, develop, and validate a broad suite of models including credit risk (PD, LGD, EAD), provisioning, fraud, and profitability
• Optimise credit strategies through robust modelling and insightful reporting
• Continuously improve machine learning architecture and research new modelling techniques to drive innovation
• Develop and deploy models using Python, working closely with technology teams to maintain production quality
• Validate and manage the integrity of diverse data sources such as bank statements, credit bureaux, and financial reports
• Oversee model monitoring and governance systems for internal and executive use
• Coach and mentor junior data scientists, facilitating knowledge sharing and team growth

Qualifications

What You'll Bring:

• 4+ years experience developing predictive models in a business environment
• Proficiency in Python and SQL
• Strong background in credit risk modelling (scorecards, behavioural models, provisioning, collections)
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, capable of building trust and translating analytics into business value
• Proven project management skills to define, communicate, and deliver analytical projects aligned with strategy
• Collaborative mindset with strong problem-solving abilities

Bonus points if you have:

• Experience in business or commercial finance industries
• Exposure to credit/product strategy design and optimisation
• Expertise in validating predictive models and provisioning models (IFRS9)
• Experience deploying Python models/microservices or working in clustered computing environments (e.g. Databricks)

Additional Information

Key Benefits:

• Collaborative teams – a flat structure means everyone can learn from colleagues and senior leaders around the business.  
• Be involved – come together with all of your colleagues every 100 days to share the product and technology roadmap and business strategy.  
• Flexible working environment – we’re headquartered in North Sydney with state-based workplaces and offer a flexible work policy.  
• Family support – industry leading 26 weeks paid parental leave.  
• Varied workspaces – our office enables areas for collaboration, brainstorming and socialising as well as focus zones. 
• Range of benefits – supporting your physical, psychological and financial wellbeing.

#LI-Hybrid