Data Scientist - Applied ML & Advanced Analytics

About us

At Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI), we’ve got your back in the moments that matter. We are part of the Southern Cross group of brands which all focus on wellbeing. This means we support our people to do and be their best every day.

SCTI is proud to be the market leader in New Zealand and growing in Australia, and we’re just getting started. Travel is changing, and so are our customers’ needs. That’s why we’re here with real care, reassurance, and smart solutions to keep people moving confidently. We’re travellers at heart, and we bring that spirit into everything we do - innovating, improving, and going further together.

Our culture is inclusive and values driven. We empower our people to make decisions, share ideas, and succeed. When you join SCTI, you’re joining a team that’s passionate about creating extraordinary outcomes for our customers and for each other.

About the role

This is a chance to develop and influence how data science is used across SCTI, shape standards for responsible ML, and help build capability in a team that is actively growing its advanced analytics practice.

Reporting to the Head of Data Analytics, you’ll work closely with Data & Analytics, Digital and wider business teams to identify high-value opportunities, test ideas safely, and embed data science outputs into everyday decision-making. With data already available in Snowflake, you can spend more time on applied modelling, insight and impact, and less time sourcing and cleaning data.

Key responsibilities

• Build responsible data science practices that address governance, privacy, bias, model risk and regulatory requirements.
• Develop predictive and prescriptive models that improve decision-making and deliver measurable outcomes.
• Apply statistical modelling, machine learning and AI to complex commercial problems, including forecasting future demand and operational impacts.
• Design experiments, define success measures and evaluate model outcomes so the business can understand whether solutions are improving decisions, customer outcomes or operational performance.
• Work with cross collaborative teams to move models and insights into production and day-to-day decision-making.
• Monitor and improve model performance, with strong standards for accuracy, reproducibility, scalability and documentation.
• Explore emerging techniques and share knowledge to grow SCTI’s data science capability.

About you

You’ll be an experienced, commercially minded Data Scientist who enjoys turning ambiguous business questions into practical analytical solutions. You’re curious, clear in your thinking and comfortable taking ownership in a new area, while bringing others with you through strong communication and collaboration.

• A proactive self-starter who enjoys working collaboratively, takes ownership of outcomes and contributes positively to team success.
• At least three years’ commercial experience in a Data Scientist, Machine Learning, AI or Advanced Analytics role.
• Demonstrated experience applying statistical modelling, predictive analytics and machine learning to real-world business problems.
• Strong statistical foundations, including an understanding of model validation, uncertainty, sampling, feature selection and the limitations of different modelling approaches.
• Experience deploying, monitoring and maintaining machine learning or AI models in production.
• A product mindset, with the ability to move from prototype to repeatable solution and focus on adoption, usability and long-term value.
• A relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent expertise. Postgraduate study is welcome but not essential.
• Experience in insurance, financial services or another regulated industry would be useful, but it is not required.
• Experience with Generative AI, Large Language Models, orchestration frameworks or MLOps would be an advantage.

If you can see yourself making an impact here but don’t meet every preferred requirement, we encourage you to apply.

Why you’ll love working with us

We believe work should fit around life, not the other way around. When you join SCTI, you’ll enjoy perks that make a real difference for you and your whānau:

• Health and wellbeing first - fully subsidised medical insurance for you and your immediate family
• Travel and pet perks - discounted travel and pet insurance, plus special deals for your whānau
• Family-friendly benefits - extra parental leave benefits when it matters most
• Peace of mind - life and terminal illness insurance
• Time for you - five days of wellbeing leave every year, plus the option to buy extra flexi-leave
• Flexibility that works - hybrid working options so you can work from home part of the week

Because when we say we’ve got your back, we mean it - at work and in life.

Our commitment to diversity

Just like the places our customers travel to, our people are wonderfully diverse. We’re committed to creating an inclusive culture where every voice is heard and every perspective is valued. Applications are welcome from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and walks of life.

Want to apply?

Bring your curiosity and help us turn what the data shows into what SCTI does next.

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Please send us your CV and cover letter.

Applicants for this position must meet legal requirements to work in New Zealand.