At Shift, we’re business specialists dedicated to helping Australian SMEs take control of their cashflow, streamline trade terms and choose the right financial products.
We believe Australian businesses are the driving force behind our economy and are core to our communities. That’s why our business expertise, focus on relationships, and market-leading technology is at the core of everything we do.
Our unique approach to product innovation combined with our collaborative culture means you can build your career in a supportive environment. You’ll be joining a diverse team of over 250 people who are always looking to deliver better outcomes for Australian businesses.
Job Description
Join Shift as a Senior Data Scientist and play a key role in shaping our analytical capabilities. You’ll collaborate closely with executives, product teams, and risk experts to design and deliver powerful statistical and machine learning models focused on credit risk, fraud detection, and profitability. Your work will directly influence business strategy, ensuring data quality and strong model governance.
What You’ll Do:
Partner with executive, product, risk, and frontline teams to define analytical goals and project scope
Manage modelling projects end-to-end, ensuring alignment with business benefits and executive buy-in
Translate complex statistical concepts and model outcomes into clear, actionable business insights
Design, develop, and validate a broad suite of models including credit risk (PD, LGD, EAD), provisioning, fraud, and profitability
Optimise credit strategies through robust modelling and insightful reporting
Continuously improve machine learning architecture and research new modelling techniques to drive innovation
Develop and deploy models using Python, working closely with technology teams to maintain production quality
Validate and manage the integrity of diverse data sources such as bank statements, credit bureaux, and financial reports
Oversee model monitoring and governance systems for internal and executive use
Coach and mentor junior data scientists, facilitating knowledge sharing and team growth
Qualifications
What You'll Bring:
4+ years experience developing predictive models in a business environment
Proficiency in Python and SQL
Strong background in credit risk modelling (scorecards, behavioural models, provisioning, collections)
Excellent communication and presentation skills, capable of building trust and translating analytics into business value
Proven project management skills to define, communicate, and deliver analytical projects aligned with strategy
Collaborative mindset with strong problem-solving abilities
Bonus points if you have:
Experience in business or commercial finance industries
Exposure to credit/product strategy design and optimisation
Expertise in validating predictive models and provisioning models (IFRS9)
Experience deploying Python models/microservices or working in clustered computing environments (e.g. Databricks)
Additional Information
Key Benefits:
Collaborative teams – a flat structure means everyone can learn from colleagues and senior leaders around the business.
Be involved – come together with all of your colleagues every 100 days to share the product and technology roadmap and business strategy.
Flexible working environment – we’re headquartered in North Sydney with state-based workplaces and offer a flexible work policy.
Family support – industry leading 26 weeks paid parental leave.
Varied workspaces – our office enables areas for collaboration, brainstorming and socialising as well as focus zones.
Range of benefits – supporting your physical, psychological and financial wellbeing.