Data Scientist, Finance Transformation

Data Scientist, Finance Transformation

Category: Finance
Brand: Definity
Regular/Temporary: Permanent
Fulltime/Part-time: Full-Time
Location: Waterloo, Canada

Definity includes some of Canada’s most long-standing and innovative insurance brands, including Economical Insurance, Sonnet Insurance, Family Insurance Solutions, and Petline Insurance. With strong roots that date back to 1871, we’ve grown to become a digital leader in the insurance industry. We’re proud to help our clients and communities adapt and thrive in a world of constant change.

Our promise to you: It’s better here. Why? Because we CARE, and we provide an employee experience that’s collaborative, ambitious, rewarding, and empowering.

In your role as a key member of the finance transformation team, reporting to the Senior Manager of Finance Transformation, your responsibilities will extend across a range of functions, emphasizing both finance and data science expertise.

Your work will involve extensive collaboration with various teams such as Finance, Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO), Technology Solutions (TS), Enterprise Change Enablement (ECE), Human Resources (HR), Enterprise Data Governance (EDO), vendor partners, and other business units. This collaboration is critical for streamlining processes and fostering a unified approach to finance modernization and data-driven decision-making.

In the realm of data science, you will leverage your expertise in data modeling, analysis and visualization to support and enhance business processes, working closely with finance teams and stakeholders to improve financial reporting and operational efficiency. You'll be responsible for managing financial data analytical workspace, including data extractions, development of data models and pipelines, reconciliations, and thorough analyses. These activities are crucial for maintaining data quality and integrity within Oracle, essential for the financial close process and reporting.

As a product advocate and Oracle Super User, specializing in Oracle Cloud data platform, your role will be to provide support and guidance in data modelling, analysis, transformation and reporting within the prescribed guidance of the Enterprise Data Office. This includes a deep engagement with Oracle Cloud Data Platform, Oracle Analytics Cloud, Google Cloud Analytics Workspace and data modelling tools.

You will apply advanced data science methodologies to analyze complex datasets, focusing on the interpretation of financial data to inform tactical and strategic decisions. This will include developing a deep understanding of data lineage, verifying data segmentation and patterns, and using Python, SQL, and Oracle to ensure data quality and integrity. Your work will support audit checks and contribute to the integrity of financial reporting.

Fulfilling compliance requirements as part of the month-end cycle will also be a critical part of your role, automating processes to meet monthly reporting deadlines.

In addition to these responsibilities, you will be instrumental in supporting and training end users. Developing and updating process documentation and standard operating procedures will be key in enhancing the organization's understanding and use of financial systems and data analytics tools.

Through your combined finance and data science expertise, you will drive financial and operational excellence, ensuring that the finance team not only meets but excels in its modernization and continuous improvement objectives.

As a Data Scientist, Finance Transformation, you will be at the forefront of integrating finance, data science, and product analytics. Your role involves:

• Leveraging deep understanding of complex financial datasets and systems to extract actionable insights and manage intricate financial data architectures, using advanced data analysis to support key financial decision-making in Google Cloud Analytical Space combined data modelling tools
• Translating business needs into data-driven solutions within financial products, conducting comprehensive product analysis to drive product strategy and development, and aligning product features with financial goals.
• Enhancing data models for financial data management to ensure quality and integrity, supporting financial close reconciliation, reporting, and analysis.
• Identifying and implementing process improvements to enhance financial operations efficiency, coordinating master data management, and overseeing the month-end cycle for accurate reporting.
• Supporting complex projects at the intersection of finance, data systems, and business needs, leading initiatives for financial system enhancements and operational improvements, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Acting as a liaison between finance, technology, and business units, effectively communicating complex data insights to stakeholders and executives, and facilitating training and support for end-users in financial data systems and analytics tools.
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives in finance data management and analysis, staying updated with industry trends and technological advancements, and supporting the development of a finance modernization roadmap.
• Assisting in change leadership during finance modernization and continuous improvement journeys, ensuring smooth adaptation to new processes and systems.
• Tracking and reporting on performance metrics and objectives to ensure results-oriented delivery in line with financial and regulatory requirements.

In this role, you will not only continue to excel in core areas of finance master data management but also extend your expertise into data science, analytics and reporting. This will position you as a crucial driver for technological and strategic advancements within the finance sector, enabling the organization to navigate and excel in an increasingly data-driven landscape.

You will provide support for change leadership and assistance during the transition phase navigating from current state to various phases within the finance modernization and continuous improvement journey driving business centric initiatives to meet overall organizational goals and objectives.

You’ll have the flexibility to manage your work activities within a hybrid work arrangement will require skills to support remote work and the ability to attend some meetings or sessions at the office.

How You’ll Succeed

• Strong Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Proficiency in dissecting complex data sets and systems to provide insightful solutions. A creative approach to problem-solving that allows for innovative solutions in data analytics and financial management.
• Team-Oriented Approach: Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams across the organization. Foster a team environment that encourages shared goals, mutual support, and cooperative problem-solving.
• Advanced Technical Proficiency: Skilled in finance data management tools such as Python, SQL, and Oracle, with a commitment to staying abreast of new technologies and continuously enhancing technical skills.
• Effective Communication Skills: Exceptional ability to articulate complex data insights clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. This includes creating compelling presentations and reports.
• Strategic Thinking and Business Acumen: A strong understanding of the broader business context and financial strategies, aligning data analytics and product decisions with the organization’s goals.
• Detail-Driven Focus: A meticulous approach to work, ensuring high standards of accuracy and quality in data management and analysis.
• Adaptability and Continuous Learning: Being adaptable in a rapidly evolving finance and technology landscape and committed to continuous learning and self-improvement.
• Leadership and Influence: Demonstrated ability to lead initiatives, inspire team members, and influence decision-making processes at all organizational levels.
• Risk Management and Compliance Awareness: Aware of the regulatory environment and compliance requirements relevant to financial data, ensuring strict adherence to these standards.

Who You Are

You will support financial data stewardship, big data analysis and reconciliations through adherence to data governance policies, effective system management through Oracle applications and Google Analytical Workspace. You enjoy investigating complex problems and making sense of data and information. You will be adept at analyzing and modelling data through various platforms. You're confident in your ability to communicate detailed information in an impactful way that is insightful and prescriptive.

You embrace and champion change. You will continuously evolve your thinking and the way you work to deliver your best.

You put our clients first. You engage with purpose to find the right solutions. You go the extra mile because it's the right thing to do.

You understand that success is in the details while not losing sight of the big picture. You notice things that others don't. Your critical thinking skills help to inform your decision making.

You demonstrate experience and knowledge of Oracle Cloud ERP, Microsoft Office and associated Power Platform, JIRA, Confluence, database processing and data modelling & visualization through SQL, Python, Tableau, and Power BI. Knowledge of Collibra would be advantageous.

Working on multiple work streams excites you, and you are able to use ambiguity as an opportunity for high-level thinking.

Requirements:

• University Degree or college diploma in data science or information systems, or a related discipline
• Extensive experience using Python including a strong grasp of object-oriented programming (OOP) fundamentals
• Deep understanding of advanced SQL techniques and data modeling
• Extensive experience in product analytics, projects, and working with developers and engineers on robust data pipeline
• Experience working with various levels of business stakeholders, from executives to engineering and business teams.
• Experience creating data product strategies, building data products, and continued iteration after launch
• Experience in cloud-based ERP systems and implementation of ERP systems would be advantageous
• Experience in utilizing Google Cloud products and services to configure an analytical workspace tailored for finance. This includes leveraging cloud-based tools for data storage, analysis, and visualization to enhance financial data management and reporting capabilities.
• Master data cleansing and coordination experience
• Data visualization experience
• Business process experience with exposure to MS Visio
• Strong communication to effectively communicate and lead cross functional sessions
• Financial accounting and reporting exposure with data analysis would beneficial
• Experience in the insurance industry is an asset, but not required

We also take potential into consideration. If you don’t have this exact experience, but you know you have what it takes, be sure to give us more insight through your application and cover letter.

Go ahead and expect a lot — you deserve it, and we’ve got it:

• Hybrid work schedule for most roles
• Educational resources and tuition
• Inclusive work environment welcoming diversity and supporting accessibility with a focus on employee experience that is collaborative, ambitious, rewarding, and empowering
• Recognition programs

Our inclusive work environment welcomes diversity and supports accessibility. If you require accommodation at any time during the recruitment process, please let us know by contacting: HRSharedServices@definity.com

Background checks
This role requires successful clearance of a background check (including criminal checks and leadership references).

Salary range: $74,100 - $136,500