Director Data Scientist

About the role

Wellhub is seeking a Director Data Scientist to lead its data science organization and guide strategic decisions through advanced analytical work. This role is responsible for managing a team of data professionals and setting the direction for how data-driven insights support the company's goals. The Director Data Scientist partners with senior leadership to define priorities, establish modeling standards, and ensure that analytical efforts produce meaningful business results. The position is located in Portugal and involves shaping data science strategy across the organization. The Director Data Scientist plays a critical role in translating complex data into actionable recommendations that drive growth and improve outcomes. This leader will build and scale the data science function, fostering a culture of evidence-based decision-making at every level of the company. The Director Data Scientist also ensures that the team stays current with emerging methods and applies the most appropriate techniques to each challenge.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead and mentor a team of data scientists working on diverse projects and initiatives.
• Define the data science strategy that supports the company's broader business goals.
• Work with engineering and product teams to integrate analytical models into operational systems.
• Oversee the creation of predictive models that inform decision-making across the organization.
• Establish standards for experimentation, model validation, and reproducibility within the team.
• Present findings and recommendations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Manage the full lifecycle of data science projects from initial problem framing through deployment.
• Encourage the adoption of new methodologies and tools to enhance team effectiveness.
• Maintain high standards for data quality and governance across all analytical work.
• Represent the data science function in cross-functional planning and strategic discussions.
• Set clear performance metrics and measure the impact of data science on business outcomes.
• Develop relationships with external partners to expand data science capabilities.
• Collaborate with data engineers to ensure reliable data pipelines and accessible datasets for analysis.
• Identify new opportunities for applying advanced analytics to solve pressing business challenges.
• Champion diversity and inclusion within the data science team to encourage a range of perspectives.

Requirements

• At least 8 years of experience in data science or a related quantitative discipline.
• Demonstrated success in leading and managing a dedicated team of data scientists.
• Strong knowledge of statistics, machine learning, and experimental design principles and methods.
• Experience deploying machine learning models into production environments at scale.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to convey complex results clearly.
• A bachelor's degree in a quantitative field such as computer science, statistics, or mathematics.
• Proven ability to define and execute a data science roadmap aligned with business needs.
• Familiarity with the health technology or wellness industry is considered a strong advantage.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience presenting findings to executive audiences and influencing strategic direction with data.

Nice to have

• Experience working with large-scale health datasets and electronic health records systems is preferred.
• Background in behavioral science or public health research is a strong plus.
• Knowledge of cloud-based data platforms and distributed computing frameworks is highly beneficial.
• Published research papers or conference presentations in machine learning or related areas.
• Experience with A/B testing frameworks and causal inference methods is valued.
• Prior experience managing vendor relationships or external consulting engagements in data science.

Skills & tools

• Proficiency in Python and SQL for data analysis and modeling tasks.
• Experience with machine learning frameworks such as scikit-learn or TensorFlow.
• Familiarity with data visualization tools such as Tableau or Looker.
• Knowledge of big data technologies including Apache Spark or BigQuery.
• Understanding of MLOps practices and model monitoring in production settings.
• Comfort with version control systems such as Git for collaborative development.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS or Google Cloud Platform.
• Experience with experiment tracking platforms such as MLflow or Weights and Biases.

Practical notes

• This is a full-time position based in Portugal with standard business hours and regular in-office attendance.
• The role reports directly to the VP of Data or equivalent senior leadership within the organization.
• Candidates should expect to take part in regular cross-functional meetings and team planning sessions throughout each week.
• Wellhub provides a competitive benefits package, ongoing training opportunities, and clear paths for professional development.
• The team is based in Portugal and collaborates with colleagues across multiple regions.
• Wellhub is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all team members can thrive.