Data Science Manager - Model Strategist

About the Team

The Credit Strategy team at Navi is responsible for developing and optimizing underwriting strategies across our key lending products. The team owns and drives key underwriting metrics, asset quality indicators and portfolio monitoring while ensuring that credit decisions align with business objectives and risk tolerance of the Company. This team focuses on continually enhancing underwriting quality and portfolio health to support sustainable growth.

About the Role

Model Strategist

model selection, challenging model performance

This is a rare role that combines system-level thinking with real business impact — perfect for data scientists or quantitative analysts who want to move closer to high-stakes decision-making.

What We Expect From You

• Evaluate and challenge model performance

  across risk segments, funnel stages, and product variants

• Drive model selection logic

  — decide which model to use when, and how to blend multiple signals
• Brainstorm on

  modelling techniques, data handling, exclusions

  etc to fundamentally improve model performance
• Collaborate with DS to

  recommend better feature sets, inputs, and architecture

  hypotheses
• Own solver logic and trade-off frameworks (approval rate vs. ACL)

• Lead test-and-learn initiatives

  in underwriting experiments
• Influence end-to-end underwriting strategy with a precision-first lens

Must Haves

• Strong background in data science, credit analytics, or risk modeling (3+ years)
• Strong

  research-oriented mindset

  with hands-on experience with building and evaluating ML models, especially in lending or financial domains

• Deep understanding and practical experience with modern ML and deep learning techniques

• Ability to command

  peer-level respect from data science teams

  through technical credibility and insight
• Deep curiosity about

  how models drive business outcomes

  , not just accuracy
• Strong problem-solving ability and structured thinking

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Economics, or another quantitative discipline

• PhD in Data Science / ML / Statistics from a reputed institution is a strong plus

• Bonus: Exposure to lending/fintech/credit cards/BNPL/startups/consulting

Inside Navi

We are shaping the future of financial services for a billion Indians through products that are simple, accessible, and affordable. From Personal & Home Loans to UPI, Insurance, Mutual Funds, and Gold — we’re building tech-first solutions that work at scale, with a strong customer-first approach.

Sachin Bansal & Ankit Agarwal

Our Culture

The Navi DNA

Ambition. Perseverance. Self-awareness. Ownership. Integrity.

We’re looking for people who dream big when it comes to innovation. At Navi, you’ll be empowered with the right mechanisms to work in a dynamic team that builds and improves innovative solutions. If you’re driven to deliver real value to customers, no matter the challenge, this is the place for you.

We chase excellence by uplifting each other—and that starts with every one of us.

Why You'll Thrive at Navi

At Navi, it’s about how you think, build, and grow. You’ll thrive here if:

• You’re impact-driven :

  You take ownership, build boldly, and care about making a real difference.

• You strive for excellence :

  Good isn’t good enough. You bring focus, precision, and a passion for quality.

• You embrace change :

  You adapt quickly, move fast, and always put the customer first.