The Zebra

Introduction:

The Zebra, named a Best Place to Work in Austin four years running, is revolutionizing how connected consumers research and shop for insurance. We intentionally strive to build diverse teams that feel inclusive for all. Our motto is "All Stripes Welcome," and we put that into practice by valuing both traditional and non-conventional backgrounds and perspectives. Our Zeebs are passionate about learning, growing, & working together to tackle exciting problems.

We’re seeking a Senior Manager of Data Science who brings both deep technical expertise and strong leadership acumen to guide our data science strategy and execution. In this hybrid leadership role, you’ll lead a small team of data scientists while also contributing directly to high-impact projects—particularly in the areas of modeling, personalization, and data-informed product strategy.

You’ll shape the vision of data science across the company, scale team capabilities, and ensure the delivery of measurable business outcomes. This position is ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of strategic leadership and hands-on problem-solving—someone who enjoys mentoring others and scaling high-performing teams, while also staying close to the work that drives innovation and impact.

Location:

Our employees can choose to work remotely in the U.S. Join us in our Austin, Texas office, or opt for a hybrid setup. Whether you prefer the structure of an office, the convenience of remote work, or a mix of both, we support what works best for you!

Please note - At this time we are not able to hire in California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and New York.

What You’ll Do:

Leadership & Strategy:

• Lead and scale a team of 2 data scientists, fostering a culture of excellence, curiosity, and impact.
• Together with our Principal Data Scientist, define and drive the data science roadmap in alignment with business and product goals.
• Provide technical oversight and ensure scientific rigor across all data science initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with product, engineering, and business stakeholders to integrate data science into decision-making and customer-facing products.
• Act as a key voice in cross-functional planning and strategic initiatives involving data science.

Hands-On Technical Leadership:

• Stay hands-on with the most critical projects: prototyping new models, evaluating methodologies, and conducting advanced analyses.
• Lead by example in setting the bar for technical quality, code review, reproducibility, and ethical data use.
• Coach and mentor team members through technical and professional development.
• Contribute to hiring strategy, recruiting, and onboarding to support team growth.

What We’re Looking For:

• 7+ years of experience in data science or advanced analytics, with 2+ years in a leadership role (managing ICs).
• Proven track record of delivering data science solutions that drive business impact.
• Advanced proficiency in Python, SQL, and machine learning frameworks.
• Experience working within the SDLC and operationalizing ML models, including writing and maintaining production-level code.
• Deep understanding of statistical modeling, causal inference, experimentation, and/or machine learning.
• Strong people management and team-building skills.
• Excellent communication skills with experience influencing senior leadership and cross-functional partners.

Experience that will Impress the Heck Out of Us:

• Experience working in start ups.
• Background in insurance, financial services, or eCommerce.
• Experience with modern data and ML tooling (e.g., Snowflake, dbt, Looker, Hex etc.).
• Familiarity with data governance, responsible AI, or MLOps.

Benefits & Perks:

Inclusive and healthy environments are crafted intentionally. All of our employees can join and participate in (or create your own!) Employee Resource Groups. Here are some other wonderful perks of working here:

• Competitive Compensation & Stock Option Offering
• Health, Dental, Vision & Disability Coverages
• HSA offering + employer contribution
• 401k plan + employer match
• Unlimited PTO (paid time off)+ the flexibility to enjoy it
• Paid Parental Leave Program
• Wellness perk ($100/month)
• Pet Adoption Reimbursement ($300/year)
• Learning & Development Opportunities
• Join a team that truly lives their values (outside of the office. Cliche, we know… but we really mean it)

Compensation:

The base salary range for this position is $170,000-$180,000 per year. The final salary amount will be determined based on a variety of factors, including experience, skills, internal equity, and insights gained throughout the interview process.

About The Zebra:

The Zebra is the nation’s leading, independent insurance comparison site. With our dynamic, real-time quote comparison tool, consumers can identify insurance companies with the coverage, service level, and pricing to suit their unique needs. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, The Zebra has sought to bring transparency and simplicity to insurance shopping since 2012 -- it's “insurance in black and white.”

We've garnered attention and investment of some of the nation’s top venture capitalists. Check out all of our awards & recognition!

Our core mantra is "All Stripes Welcome." As part of our dedication to maintaining an inclusive and diverse workforce, we provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform core job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.